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Mr. Culver concurred, noting that at the time a larger percentage of properties actually have a clean-out, it would make more sense to change that policy, even though there remained an issue if a clog happened between the home and main. If something happens in the service line, Mr. Culver noted that it was more than likely created by something the homeowner had put down the line unless caused by a root. However, once the item reached the main, Mr. Culver questioned how to identify its source; while it was more obvious if occurring between the home and the main. City Engineer Jesse Freihammer further noted that, given the smaller diameter of the pipe between the home and main, if the item made it through to the main, there should be no problem with it clogging the system given the larger diameter of the main. Mr. Culver concurred, noting that many interesting stories and photos of what actually ended up in sanitary sewer lines. From a cost standpoint based on staff's financial analysis, Mr. Culver noted the difficulty in determining the city's total or potential exposure in taking on more ownership of sewer lines, without knowing the full spectrum and annual exposure. However, Mr. Culver reported that by making assumptions and spreading a projected cost over 10,000 homes or base fees, and average permit experience cost of $5,000 per repair, it could cost the city a potential of $250,000 annually. Again, without having more data available, Mr. Culver admitted it was difficult to project with the sanitary sewer system, since it was an unknown of how many potential problems already existed in addition to future exposure. Mr. Culver noted that refining this information would take considerable time and involve a significant amount of staff time and cost to further analyze that potential. However, on the water service side, Mr. Culver noted it would be much easier to define, since all water services had a curb stop; but clarified that the city wanted to be the only ones having access to that curb stop, and therefore making it easy to separate ownership. Mr. Culver noted that water lines from the curb stop to the main usually ran underneath the street and/or sidewalk, with those costs therefore making more sense for the city to bear. However, Mr. Culver noted that it would still mean cost implications for the city and adjusting base water fees to cover those costs to make more sense for the broader community in the future versus the homeowner covering those costs as is the current practice. Mr. Culver noted that this also created a fairness or equity issue for homeowners, who over the last 50 years have already fielded these costs on their own, and if the city shifts their policy for future events to be covered by the city, they were in reality paying twice. Acting Chair Wozniak noted that lateral ownership came up at the joint meeting of the PWETC and City Council, with the City Council encouraging discussion of laterals from various perspectives. With three of the PWETC members missing from tonight's meeting, Member Wozniak expressed his interest in hearing their input as well as from those present tonight; opining that this was not the end of the Page 8 of 13