City Council Minutes 2008 05 20 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Meeting Minutes May 20, 2008 Page 8 of 11 concluded the City's current policy should be updated to address the following issues: -The City's policy does not clearly provide for reimbursement of restoration expenses - The cost for cleanup and restoration can exceed $3,500 - The City's policy does not clearly provide for reimbursement of cleanup and/or restoration expenses in situations where aCity-installed water meter fails. City Manager Fleming reported under state law, even though a backup may occur in City sewer lines or a failure may occur with aCity-installed water meter, the City typically does not have legal liability for damages in these situations. Property owners sometimes do not carry the necessary insurance coverage for damage caused by a sewer backup or water meter failure. In an effort to maintain positive customer relations the City adopted a policy in 1997 and then amended the policy in 2004 to provide for reimbursement of up to $3,500 for cleanup costs a property owner incurs if the City determines a sewer backup occurred as a result of a blockage in a City sewer main. Under the policy any blockages or problems in the property owner's service line are the responsibility of the property owner. City Manager Fleming recommended the policy be made clear by amending the existing resolution to increase the amount from $3,500 to $7,500 for costs resulting from the backup of a City sewer main, clarify restoration expenses may also be reimbursable, and clarify reimbursement for these costs is also allowable in situations where a City water met~sr fails under certain circumstances. Mayor Sisk called for public comment. PUBLIC COMMENT Ann and Matt Robinson, 539 W. Sycamore Circle, Louisville, CO described the issues they faced due to the sewer k~ackup. They thanked staff and neighbors for their support. They asked for consideration of personal property since it was not their fault. Kathy Barnes, 528 W. Sycamore Circle, Louisville, CO listed the ways the $3,500 did not begin to cover the cost of they clean-up she faced. She asked Council to consider having a restoration company on retainer. Tom Davinroy, 518 W. Sycamore Circle, Louisville, CO thanked the City for their response. He tried to convey the battle he faced on the night of the backup. He recommended passage of the resolution and institution of a mitigation plan to include contracts with restoration companies.