2016-09-27_PWETC_Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Further, it was noted that the consensus of the PWETC was that if the City Council majority was concerned with ownership of laterals, whether at the rights-of-way or elsewhere on the line,the PWETC encouraged the City Council to provide direction on their preferences in paying for such a change in ownership or recommendations to staff directing further evaluation by the PWETC. Specific to the ordinance, Member Wozniak stated he was on the fence, as he saw the benefits but still felt it was a strong-armed approach. Member Wozniak stated he would favor a more transitional approach by encouraging residents to hire the services of a home inspection agent. Chair Cihacek agreed the inspections provided a way to obtain the information, but noted it was expensive, especially if taking the Golden Valley model as an example, which he found much too aggressive to consider in Roseville. However, with the expected life span of the city's older lines, if the city could narrow the cost to not create such a burden for residents, Chair Cihacek suggested staff may want to draft language accordingly, and limit the target area and impact. If it proved not to be a huge burden based on the requested cost analysis, Chair Cihacek suggested the PWETC could then vote the ordinance up or down and present their recommendation to the City Council accordingly. Chair Cihacek opined the city had been lucky so far, but also noted that may change. However, Chair Cihacek agreed that education at this point was the best option; and if the choice resulted in considering inspections, that such a program be more lenient and within the context of housing stock type and age; but not a general ordinance that would impact all, and only those considered at risk or with older pipes. Mr. Culver noted it would be a challenge to identify those high risk areas, since the majority of the city's sewer system was installed in the 1960's unless homes added after that point or of better materials. At the request of Chair Cihacek,Mr. Culver stated the life of clay pipe was variable, depending on soil factors, trees nearby, and other issues determining the longevity as long as nothing was compromising them structurally. Under that scenario, Chair Cihacek questioned if the ordinance language could be limited at all; but left it up to staff As part of the education process, Chair Cihacek noted residents should be made aware of tree plantings and their proximity to sewer lines, especially for those replacing trees damaged by storms. By promoting that improved educational process, Chair Cihacek opined it would limit the and community's liability long-term if those risk factors were brought up for consideration going forward. Consensus was that education was good; and staff was asked to return with an education and outreach plan with specific targets or more general based on available staff resources. Page 15 of 17