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LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES APRIL 5, 1988 PAGE 5 Mayor Christ opened up the public hearing at 7:55 p.m. in the City Council chambers. City Engineer Bohrer explained the City is considering adoption of an ordinance initiating mandatory septic tank maintenance and verifiable pumping. Bohrer stated that septic systems rarely fail, they were either underdesigned or poorly maintained. All new systems are designed in accordance with the latest codes and each system is inspected during installation by the building inspector. Therefore, all recent systems should be properly designed and installed. As with any manufactured or constructed product, septic systems must be maintained to continue working properly. Regular removal of the solids from the septic tank by pumping is the most important preventative maintenance procedure that a homeowner can do to ensure a long life for a septic system. Regular maintenance is not performed by many homeowners because septic systems are out of sight and, therefore, out of mind. Many do not know that maintenance is required. For these reasons, the city is instituting mandatory and verifiable septic tank maintenance pumping with the recommended interval once evey two years. It is proposed that the city will send a reminder to every system owner with the city every two years to have their tanks pumped. Only pumpers licensed by the city can operate in Lake Elmo. These pumpers will return a separate card to City Hall each time a tank is pumped and the City will maintain the pumping records. Bohrer showed an P-n example of the reporting card and suggested that the pumper note on the card anything he observes. If a system owner refuses to get their tank pumped after mailed a reminder from the City, the city has the power to have the tank pumped and charge the homeowner. Todd Williams stated he was in favor of it and felt it was long overdue. He suggested if the city has to pump a tank, a punative penalty should be charged. The Council would look into including a penalty. Responding to the suggestion that was made to put a contract out for bids, Bohrer felt the competition among the pumpers would create the lowest possible price to the homeowners --the Free Enterprise system would work at its best. An annual contract can be done, but this is creating another level of administration. The contract needs to be administered, and any possible cost savings of getting a large contract may be offset by the administrative burden of monitoring it. Tom Palec ink 's Croixland Sewer Service, stated that Roger MachMe.er red }resspumping once a year and if you own a garabge disposal, pumping should be done every 6 months to 1 year. Bohrer explained that in the initial mailing they would try an educational approach and provide information on how a septic system works and a garbage disposal has harmful affects on the system. Mayor Christ closed the public hearing at 8:22 p.m.