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34 members) of the Public Works, Environment, and Transportation Commission 35 members attended a meeting on November 20, 2013, which had not been noticed 36 as a public meeting. Chair Vanderwall assured the public that this was 37 inadvertent, and in acknowledging the violation, staff committed to avoiding any 38 such repeat occurrences in the future. 39 40 While acknowledging that this was unfortunate, Member DeBenedet noted that no 41 action had been taken during the meeting, and that it was held only for 42 informational purposes. 43 44 Assistant Public Works Director Marc Culver provided a report from last night's 45 City Council meeting at which Public Works Director updated the City Council 46 on staff's response to a considerable number of private water service freeze -ups, 47 with more anticipated as frost is now approximately seven feet (7') deep. 48 Discussion at the City Council level included costs borne to residents from those 49 freeze -ups and for thawing the lines, with the City crews n ways successful in 50 getting them thawed due to their limited pressured hot wat shing equipment 51 and staff, with fewer than 50% or fewer successful. Mr. Culver reported that 52 most of the problem areas are long -side services with the line installed on the 53 opposite side of the road; often with the service line beyond seventy feet (70') 54 before it connects with the water main; and usually under paved driveways or 55 roadways with little snow cover. Mr. Culver advised that, in cases where the City 56 had been unsuccessful in opening the lines, they had provided private contractor 57 information to homeowners, typically welders who electrically charged the line to 58 thaw it; with only a few welders found with machines large enough to accomplish 59 that. However, Mr. Culver noted that there was risk in performing that type of 60 thaw, creating potential liability issues. 61 Mr. Culver advised that the C' Council took action to reconfirm that service 62 lines were privately owned an esponsibility of homeowners for costs up to 63 the main, ' including the cost to thaw those lines. The City Council further 64 confirmed that City staff, as available, would attempt to assist homeowners with 65 the pressurized hot water flushing equipment, but anything beyond that point 66 would not be undertaken by the City other than to provide a list of contractors that 67 were known to have welding equipment available and who may be willing to 68 assist them; with the meowner responsible to coordinate with the welder and 69 pay for those service 70 71 Mr. Culver provided a map showing the areas with freeze -ups, most in the 72 southeast area of the City, with some historically problem areas where the 73 roadway had been lowered after the initial water service had been installed, and 74 many having already made arrangements to keep a steady stream of water running 75 to avoid freeze -ups. However, Mr. Culver noted that there a number of new 76 freeze -ups beyond those previously known, but in the same relative vicinity. 77 While this apparent anomaly and pattern is still under investigation, Mr. Culver 78 opined that staff thought it may be happening in areas with a combination of 79 sandy soils where the frost went deeper and /or areas with shallower service lines. Page 2 of 13