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