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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, February 24, 2014 Page 20 Councilmember McGehee opined that the City couldn't just ignore people with- out water, when it had initially forced people to hook up to City water. Coun- cilmember McGehee further opined that, especially if the problems were under the street, the City should do something about those who need to keep water run- ning and install devices to do so. Councilmember Etten clarified with Mr. Schwartz the City's responsibility and homeowner's responsibility for water and/or sewer lines and subsequent liability, arguing in the reverse of Councilmember McGehee, that anything outside the City's mains were the responsibility of the homeowner. Councilmember Etten expressed concern that the City not create a precedent; but agreed with looking at average water use over a certain period of years for those homeowners experienc- ing problems, and making adjustments. However, Councilmember Etten ques- tioned how to determine those certain users or if applicable across the City. Councilmember Etten supported the City attempting to thaw the line with the hot water treatment, and if that proved unsuccessful, connecting them with a private firm. Councilmember Etten questioned if the City was eating the cost in the short-term and not billing those customers, or fronting the money now and mak- ing a determination whether or not to bill the homeowner. Mr. Schwartz responded that the bills had not been paid; and some homeowners were telling firms to send the bill to the City even though City Code clearly states the private lines are the responsibility of the homeowners. Mr. Schwartz advised that residents had been told to-date that they may be getting a bill. At the request of Councilmember Willmus, Mr. Schwartz clarified that the prop- erty owner was responsible for the service line up to the main, not just up to the curb. At the request of Mayor Roe, Mr. Schwartz reviewed the process for installing a device on a faucet to keep water running by drilling a small hole in the line with a clamp over the line and valve, similar to an ice maker on a refrigerator. Mr. Schwartz confirmed that the cost of the devices were minimal and when installed by City staff, the only significant cost was in staff time in thawing the lines and then installing the devices. Councilmember McGehee questioned whether or not some cities actually kept re- sponsibility for a line through the easement and up to the property line versus at the main. Since most freezing appeared to be under the street, Councilmember McGehee opined that it was well within the City's easement. Mr. Schwartz responded that the split was about 50/50 in how cities calculated it. Councilmember Willmus noted that this issue involved county roadways within Roseville as well, not just roadways under City jurisdiction.