[Code 1961 §6-86; CC 1976 §13-66]
Wherever there exists within the City a sanitary sewer line
in a public or private street, or on property adjoining improved property,
the owner of such improved property shall be required to connect a
sewer for such property to the sanitary sewer line.
[Code 1961 §6-89; CC 1976 §13-69]
The Health Commissioner of the City is hereby authorized and
directed to notify all persons, firms or corporations where outside
toilets or privies are maintained, to remove them within sixty (60)
days after receipt of a notice from said Health Commissioner.
[Ord. No. 99-98 §1, 12-14-1999]
A.
The
repair services applies to single family homes, duplexes or apartment
buildings containing not more than six (6) dwelling units and will
commence the first (1st) business day of January, 2000. This program
will allow the City to assess up to twenty-eight dollars ($28.00)
per year on all residential property described above to provide funds
to pay for the cost of certain repairs of defective lateral sewer
service lines serving such dwelling units.
B.
Sewer
lateral repair from the main line in the street or sewer easement
to the building foundation are eligible under this program. It does
not include a sewer line located under any permanent structure. A
lateral sewer line service line may be located in the front, side
or rear yard.
C.
A sewer
lateral is defined as the portion of the sewage system which carries
household wastes to the Metropolitan Sewer District (M.S.D.) sewer
main and which lies between the structure foundation wall, or exterior
wall if construction is non-traditional and the sewer main. Damaged
or blocked pipes located within the exterior walls of the structure
are not covered under this program. This service is not available
to commercial or industrial (as determined by the primary use of the
land) property.
D.
The
City Council may periodically amend these guidelines in the best interest
of the City and its homeowners, except as they may be restricted by
State law or the City Ordinances.
E.
If
an owner is experiencing a problem with the lateral sewer service
line, the owner must first contact a plumber or drain and sewer cleaning
company to have the sewer line cabled. If the problem is not resolved
by cabling the line, the owner will fill out an application and bring
a copy of the paid bill for cabling services and proof of paid real
estate taxes.
F.
The
City may arrange for a private contractor to televise the line so
that the cause and location of the problem can be determined. If the
television inspection demonstrates that the line is defective, the
testing contractor shall be paid by the City. If the television inspection
fails to demonstrate that the line is defective, the testing contractor
shall be paid by the homeowner. The corrective work is limited to
excavating, repair of the lateral, backfilling, and seeding and strawing
of the disturbed portion of the yard. The City will not be responsible
for restoration of any landscaping, such as bushes, trees or special
grass on the property. Additional work will be done at the homeowner's
expense.
G.
The
program will only pay for the replacement of sidewalks, driveways
and streets removed to accomplish the repair under this policy. Special
request for certain concrete or asphalt material will not be accepted
nor reimbursed under this program.
H.
In
the event that accessory structures or landscaping amenities; such
as, fences, sheds, garages, landscape walls, etc., are in the path
of the line and lie over the damaged line, the City reserves the right
to reroute the lateral or to require the property owner to move any
accessory structures or landscaping amenities at the property owner's
expense. The City is not responsible for any damages to underground
sprinkler systems, landscaping or any other damage caused by the performance
of the contractor. This policy will not include reimbursement for
the replacement of any landscaping or landscaping amenities that require
removal to perform the repair. Additional work shall be done at the
property owner's expense. If the contractor requests a change from
the bid after the work has begun, any change from the bid must be
approved by the Director of Public Works or his/her designee.
I.
Applications
will be designated in order received in the categories as follows:
1.
Emergency. Total closure of the sewer lateral and
a health hazard to the occupants of the dwelling, or safety concerns
with a street or sidewalk cave in.
2.
Priority. Minimal backup is evident, or a sink hole/cave-in
is present but does not represent an immediate public safety threat.
3.
Routine. Others after April 6, 1999.
4.
Existing. Notification by M.S.D. of defective sewer
lateral prior to April 6, 1999, unless it becomes an emergency situation.
J.
The
City has no obligations or responsibility for the performance by the
contractor and no responsibility for any damages caused to the owner's
property because of the sewer line defects.
K.
The
City reserves the right to determine if and when an emergency situation
exists. Repair will be done in order of designation. Emergency situations
will be handled first regardless of date of application.
L.
In
the event that expenditures for this program deplete the fund balance,
the program will be suspended until funds are available. A waiting
list will be established and those on this list will be handled first
when funds are available. The City is not responsible for delays due
to acts of nature, acts of God or work stoppages.
M.
Should
staff notice, or be notified of, visible evidence of a leaking sanitary
sewer lateral (such as a sinkhole, etc.), then the City will initiate
appropriate steps to identify the cause.
