HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-16-80 Utilities Committee (inmmtttrr 'Wort of the Utilities Committee
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The meeting was called to order by its chairman, Councilman
Walter M. Szymkowiak at 6: 30 p.m. on July 16, 1980, in the Council
meeting room.
Persons in attendance included the following: Councilmen McGann,
Beck, Szymkowiak, Kopczynski, Dombrowski, and Voorde; Citizen member
Al Deranek, Morgan Peck, Marchmont Kovos, Don Zimmerman of E.L.
Zimmerman Company, Inc. , Mark Gallagher, of Standard Mechanical Con-
tractors, Inc. , Darrell Lo Graf of Ideal Consolidated, Inc. , Robert
Braunsdorf of Braunsdorf Plumbing and Heating, Inc. , Bernie White
of St. Joseph Valley Assocation of P.H.C.C. , and Robert Frame of Bob
Frame Plumbing and Heating, Inc. , and Kathleen Cekanski--• 'arrand, Attorney
for the Council,
Councilman Szymkowiak explained that the meeting was called to
discuss in further detail Bill No. 46-80 which would establish a Sewer
Service Fund. Members from the various plumbing companies were also
invited to give their comments based on their years of experience and
expertise in the area.
Following an introduction of all persons present, the meeting
was then turned over to Councilman Kopczynski, sponsor of the Bill.
Councilman Kopczynski noted that an. amended version of Bill No.
46-80 was sent out in the Council packets. He then verbally highlighted
each of his proposed changes, which included: a monthly charge of $0.45
per month, would repair from the main sewer to forty (40' ) feet within
the property line or to the foundation wall of the structure which-
ever would be less; a deductible of $250.00; and one exemption from
replacing any trees, shruberry, sod, etc. . Councilman Kopczynski
stressed that the overiding purpose of the Bill was to "make sure that
sewage will be removed from households, " and public health reasons.
He further stressed that he had been working on this Bill for a long
period of time, and that it was not offered in light of a recent
sewer incident in Mishawaka.
Much discussion followed. Several plumbers stated that the
$250. 00 deductible was too low. They suggested that it be raised so
that "nuisance calls" and "maintenance calls" would be eliminated.
City Engineer, Pat McMahon stated that the Administration sees
the water leak insurance program as being totally different from the
proposed sewer service program. He further contended that sewer
maintenance and repairs were the homeowners responsibilities. Since
the City has no control over what goes into the lines; over what's
planted; where it' s planted; reaming; and overall maintenance; he
believed that at best, the homeowners should be protected from
"excessive costs". He suggested that $ .50 per month fee; a $1000
deductible; and no coverage for lines under private property be
considered.
FREE PRESS 46314s rUSLISNIN6 CO.
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.
July 25, 1980
Page Three
The Committee further requested a legal opinion addressing the
following areas: the possibility of collecting fees for a period of
six (6) months before rendering service; the possibility of computing
interest on amounts which result as liens on the property ;and the
question of whether there would be any increased liability on behalf of
the City by establishing such a program.
Councilman Szymkowiak reminded the Committee that the public
hearing on the Bill was continued to Monday, July 28 , 1980 .
There being no further business to come before the Committee,
the meeting was adjourned at 9:40 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Waiter M. Szymkowiak,
Chairman
WMS/vls