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490 worth the PWETC and staff exploring it further depending on those cost factors. <br />491 Chair Cihacek clarified that property owners would end up paying either way, <br />492 whether through taxes or utility fees. <br />493 <br />494 As individual homeowners, Mr. Culver asked the PWETC how they would feel if <br />495 the city implemented a blanket program for lining laterals, at 3' or 10' and sanitary <br />496 sewer rates were increased from $10 to $50 per year. Mr. Culver asked if they <br />497 found $50 an extreme fee. <br />498 <br />499 Member Seigler opined the price of lining would drop in the next few years; and <br />500 suggested waiting to see if prices were to plummet unless the city saw a drastic <br />501 increase in failures. Otherwise, Member Seigler suggested the city absorb that cost <br />502 unless a great amount of failures was realized. <br />503 <br />504 In previous presentations, Mr. Culver noted staff had reported the city was <br />505 experiencing more lateral line sanitary sewer failures annually, actually dozens or <br />506 more throughout the city. Mr. Culver opined those numbers would go up as the <br />507 sanitary sewer infrastructure systemstimed to age creating one of the questions <br />508 as to timing. Mr. Culver oted a sanitary sewer system failure wasn't a problem <br />509 for residents until it hap o them personally, with those numbers of failures <br />510 continuing to rise. <br />511 <br />512 Member Seigler xpressed his interest in a Service Warranty Program as previously <br />513 considered; especially if a current homeowner only intended to live in their current <br />514 home for a minimal amount of time. <br />515 <br />516 Chair Cihacek noted, by creating a cost cap, the city would essentially be <br />517 implementing a self-insurance plan. Therefore, Chair Cihacek expressed his <br />518 interest in looking at a cost cap or cost share for the cost of lining laterals, opining <br />519 that $10 over 3-4 billing periods created some pain tolerance, especially if the <br />520 annual cost was less than projected. If higher than projected, Chair Cihacek stated <br />521 he was then not interested in such a plan. However, addressing Member Seigler's <br />522 point, Chair Cihacek opined the city was clearly moving toward a crisis point due <br />523 to the age of its infrastructure and majority of its housing stock. While most of the <br />524 city had sandy soils, Chair Cihacek considered the number of trees in the <br />525 community as well. While unsure whether the city needed to do the option that <br />526 costs the city money, Chair Cihacek suggested the point of sale inspection may not <br />527 necessarily mandate repair by the seller, but at a minimum would provide the buyer <br />528 with truth in disclosing a potential cost going forward, and adjusting selling prices <br />529 accordingly. <br />530 <br />531 At the request of Member Heimerl, Mr. Culver stated he wasn't aware of any other <br />532 point of sale inspections or permitting requirements by the city at this time. <br />533 <br />534 Member Heimerl questioned if this was the point the city wanted to jump into point <br />535 of sale versus lining initiatives. <br />Page 12 of 17 <br />