07-16-80 Utilities Committee - Laserfiche WebLink

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July 25, 1980 Page Two Several plumbers highlighted the following facts : inspection in the past has been a problem; most lines are located at a depth of 2 to 4 feet; that it is possible to tell the difference between a broken sewer vs. a clogged sewer; that an active root system can fill up a sewer within three (3) months after having been cleaned out; that roots are the biggest problems not traffic; that plastic PVC lines are the best quality; and that most of the sewer problems occur in the older sections of the City where the "old slip seal sewers" were installed during World War II. Councilman McGann suggested that the Committee come up with a concensus on the Bill since everyone agrees that something must be done. He stated that he prefered a choice based on realistic cost estimates for the type of service to be rendered. The plumbers highlighted that the following factors should be taken into consideration when finalizing the particulars of the Bill: that plumbers be pre-qualified by the City; that costs be based on a time and material basis; that the deductible be raised; and that coverage be for the right-of-way area only. Councilmen Dombrowski, Kopczynski , Beck, and Szymkowiak all voiced strong opinions on why they believed that the City should offer a program which repairs lines under the private property. On a motion of Councilman McGann, seconded by Councilman Kopczynski and unanimously approved by the Committee, it reached a concensus on the following items by a 6-0 vote: (1) that the deductible be raised to $1000. 00; (2) that the average cost of repairs totaled $3000. 00; (3) that the figures would be based on an average of 100 repair jobs annually; (4) that the charge be $ . 75 per month; (5) that the property owner would remain solely responsible for all maintenance, cleaning; and reaming; (6) that the deductible would cover repair of sewer lines only; (7) that a Release would be signed by each homeowner before work would be done on private property; (8) that the City would not be responsible for the replacement of any trees, shrubs, plants, lawn, sod, driveways, patios, sprinkler systems, utility lines, and other similar improvements on private property; (9) that the committee would recommend one administrator to oversee the project whose duties would include inspection at a projected annual 'snazzy of $25,000 to be paid from the sewer service fund; :0C (10) that the coverage would cover all work on lines to the foundation wall of the building; and (11) that a delinquency figure of $50,000 was used in computing the monthly service charge.