CC_Minutes_2011_0131 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Special City Council Work Plan Meeting 1 Monday,January 31,2011 Page 2 ing the major snowstorm occurring the weekend before. Ms. Bloom advised that Xcel was still reviewing their policies related to damage claims; and assured Councilmembers that staff was continuing to investigate the hit. Mr. El-Banna opined that the City vehicle moving snow was clearing snow around the fire hydrant at the end of his driveway, which he had already accomplished, as was his common practice. Mr. El-Banna further opined that since those homes were built in the mid 1970's, the Public Works Department should be aware of the location of utility box- es in order to avoid damaging them. Mr. El-Banna stated that he found the letter from the LMCIT insulting; and noted that the City at first denied that it was a City vehicle, until another neighbor, Mr. Hermes, provided evidence that it was indeed a City vehicle. Mr. El-Banna reiterated his concern in the mixed messages being received by the neighbors who had experienced thousands of out-of-pocket expenses in replacing and/or repairing electrical appliances and were seeking resolution. Councilmember McGehee advised that she had spoken to Mr. Schwartz who had advised her that staff intended to bring the issue to the City Council for their guidance for pay- ment subsequent to denial of the claim by the LMCIT, and given the City's insurance de- ductable, seeking payment to residents for their immediate out-of-pocket expenses while the City continued their negotiations with the LMCIT and Xcel Energy. Councilmember Willmus opined that, regardless of where the LMCIT stood on this, the damage was a result of City action, and in his discussions with Mr. Hermes, the City needed to step up to correct the situation, then continue negotiations, rather than string things along. Mayor Roe suggested that this should be an item of discussion at the next regular busi- ness meeting on February 14, 2011. Councilmember Pust sought a copy of the LMCIT letter of denial; and additional infor- mation from staff. Councilmember Pust sought clarification on the vehicle operator's use of care and original denial that it was a City vehicle. Ms. Bloom advised that rationale for the LMCIT denial was that the box was owned by a private utility, not the City of Roseville, and in City right-of-way. Ms. Bloom clarified that the City did not have a database listing the location of all private utility boxes throughout the City as suggested by Mr. El-Banna, since there were thousands of them throughout the City on City rights-of-way. Ms. Bloom noted the numerous challenges faced by the City following the major snow event, and continued clean-up for several weeks following, with cul-de-sacs always presented additional challenges. Ms. Bloom clarified that the City's regular snow plow vehicles all had GPS, and upon an immediate check of the GPS, there was no indication that a vehicle with GPS was in that area. Due to this incident, Ms. Bloom advised that staff had now changed their process for investi- gation of concerns. Ms. Bloom further noted that this operator was a utility person using