HomeMy WebLinkAbout12.10.2001• •
COUNCIL WORK SESSION
December 10, 2001
4:25 p.m.
Council Chambers
Members present: Mayor Rooff, Anders, Jordan, Krizek, Murphy, Gronen, Getty.
Members absent: Berry.
Moved by Jordan, seconded by Krizek that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Six.
Absent: Berry. Motion carried.
The council reviewed the water service at 1800 and 1806 Forest Avenue. Eric Thorson, City
Engineer, stated that this part of Forest Avenue was reconstructed in 1998 as part of Contract No.
564. The water service at 1800 Forest Avenue was shown to be renewed on the plans. During
construction, it was determined that this service was already copper and it was not renewed under
the contract. It now appears that the water service at 1800 Forest was a joint service with 1806
Forest Avenue. In 1998 the city did not yet have a policy to separate joint copper services. The
joint copper service separation policy started in 2000.
Mayor Rooff stated that an elderly couple at 1800 Forest Avenue had a water leak and replaced it
with copper. During the reconstruction project the line was not replaced as it already was
copper, and two years later the line failed. It was discovered that the line serves two properties.
Mayor Rooff stated if the city's records had been adequate, we would have replaced the copper
because of the joint service line.
Mr. Thorson stated that the city's policy is if the line is cast galvanized, we replace the line with
copper. When the city was using the street assessment program, the city would assess the
property owner, but since the roads are now repaired using local option sales tax, it was decided
not to assess the property owners for the copper replacement because an assessment program
slows down the street projects. Mr. Thorson stated that the engineers are finding that those
copper service lines that are 35 to 40 years are failing. The Engineering Department researches
when the copper line was last replaced, but if no record is found it has been the policy not to
replace the copper line. Mr. Thorson stated it costs an average of $800.00 per service line to
replace with copper line.
Mr. Thorson stated that the couple at 1800 Forest Avenue has put in a new copper service line
and split the service line from their neighbors. Mr. Thorson stated that he could find out the cost
for the pavement patchwork for this location and it could be included in our repair work next
year.
Councilperson Getty asked the City Engineer to research the cost for the pavement repair and
water line replacement for 1800 Forest Avenue. Councilperson Getty stated that he feels the
policy should be changed that if the line is 10 years old or the city does not have records on the
service line, the city should replace the service with copper.
Berry now present at 4:39 p.m.
Councilperson Jordan stated he has a hard time with citizens having to pay the local option tax
and the city does not replace the water service line during reconstruction, then service line
develops a leak and must be repaired by the home owner. Councilperson Jordan stated he
believes the city needs to help these citizens.
It was the consensus of the council that this item be placed on the Public Works Committee
agenda of December 17, 2001.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by Jordan, seconded by Gronen that
the meeting be adjourned at 4:40 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk