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REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION <br /> Date: 4/16/2012 <br /> Item No.: 13.b <br />Department Approval City Manager Approval <br />Item Description: Discuss Cleanup Assistance Policy Regarding Sanitary Sewer Backups <br />B <br />ACKGROUND <br />1 <br />On March 19, 2012, staff discussed various education efforts we are implementing on how to <br />2 <br />prevent sewer backups and what to do if a backup occurs. We also discussed what some other <br />3 <br />cities do in the event of sanitary sewer backups to assist property owners with immediate cleanup. <br />4 <br /> They include self insurance for clean up assistance and cost share assistance to upgrade the <br />5 <br />private sewer lateral. The Council requested staff return with additional information and draft <br />6 <br />policy for further discussion. <br />7 <br />Staff has drafted a sanitary sewer backup cleanup assistance policy for discussion and feedback. <br />8 <br />(Attachment A) This policy would effectively provide immediate cleanup/removal of wet carpet <br />9 <br />and hard surfaces along with disinfection. Any damage claims would still be submitted to the <br />10 <br />city’s insurance carrier. The policy is written to apply only to low density residential properties <br />11 <br />but could apply to all properties citywide. Assistance would only be provided if the backup was <br />12 <br />verified due to blockage in the city mainline. The city would contract with local vendors to <br />13 <br />perform the cleanup and administer the program. The Council would need to establish an <br />14 <br />effective date if the policy is adopted. <br />15 <br />PO <br />OLICYBJECTIVE <br />16 <br />The City has a sanitary sewer maintenance program and a capital improvement program to ensure <br />17 <br />the sanitary sewer system is operating with minimum risk of damage to private property. The city <br />18 <br />sanitary sewer system is operated to protect the health and safety of residents and visitors. <br />19 <br />FI <br />INANCIALMPACTS <br />20 <br />Staff estimates an assistance policy implementation to cost $35,000 annually. The city currently <br />21 <br />averages 6-8 sanitary sewer backup claims per year. This would assume the per property cleanup <br />22 <br />cost averages $3,500 and $5,000 to $10,000 in administrative costs annually. This would include <br />23 <br />bidding cleanup services, monitoring and contract administration, and other documentation and <br />24 <br />communication with property owners. <br />25 <br />SR <br />TAFF ECOMMENDATION <br />26 <br />Staff is seeking Council feedback and direction on the draft policy. <br />27 <br />RCA <br />EQUESTEDOUNCILCTION <br />28 <br />Discuss draft policy and provide direction to staff on changes and interest in implementation of an <br />29 <br />assistance policy for private property owners after a sanitary sewer backup. <br />30 <br />Prepared by: Duane Schwartz, Public Works Director <br />Attachments: A: Draft Sanitary Sewer Cleanup Assistance Policy <br />Page 1 of 1 <br /> <br />