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Director of Public Works Ulrich stated that any time a resident contacts them regarding this type of
<br /> repair, whether it be sewer or water, staff provides them with a list of licensed contractors that is
<br /> available through the Community Development Department. He stated he was not aware,and found
<br /> it hard to understand it could be taken in this manner. He stated they have inspected good jobs and
<br /> bad jobs, and they are aware of what the contractors actually do. He stated staff might provide three
<br /> or four names, however, are not recommending or endorsing any particular contractor. He stated
<br /> the fact that the repair was performed without a permit or license was unknown at the time. He
<br /> stated that typically,they receive a telephone call from the contractor requesting they come out and
<br /> inspect the job,and in many cases,with the water conditions such as they are in the high water table,
<br /> this has to be done almost immediately. He stated they do require 24-hour notice, however, there
<br /> are times when they go to the site and find out the contractor does not have a permit. He stated, in
<br /> this event,they will stop the work, and make the contractor obtain a permit, and if not licensed, the
<br /> contractor is required to pay the fees and obtain a license, as well. He stated there are times they
<br /> inspect a job, as the ground is about to cave in, and if the if the contractor does not come back,the
<br /> repair is already made and out of their control.. He explained they do not always have control over
<br /> the situation,when they are required to complete the process in such an expedient manner.
<br /> Director of Public Works Ulrich stated he had explained to Mrs. Vigen, that the City does have a
<br /> clause whereby the homeowner can be specially assessed, and can petition and sign a waiver,
<br /> whereby the repairs will be paid for by the City an assessed on the homeowner's tax bill. He stated
<br /> this clause was in consideration of elderly persons, or those living on a fixed income, that are not
<br /> able to make the repair and pay for that type of improvement. He stated Mrs. Vigen declined that
<br /> option. He explained, if she did not want to make payments on an annual basis, and she was 65
<br /> years or older, the cost could be placed on a deferred assessment, as provided by the Municipal
<br /> Code. He stated, in this event, the repair would be paid for at the time the house or property
<br /> exchanged hands. He stated he explained that there would be interest accruable for that period of
<br /> time. He stated Mrs. Vigen had declined this option as well.
<br /> Director of Public Works Ulrich stated he had offered to obtain as many bids as possible for Mrs.
<br /> Vigen, and that Tim Pittman was also working in this regard. He stated he had received bids,which
<br /> Mrs.Vigen had not yet reviewed, as she has been out of town for a while. He stated he had talked
<br /> to both of these contractors, who had determined this was a complicated repair. He explained the
<br /> water main was down eleven to twelve feet. He stated that one contractor came in, of his own
<br /> volition,to determine what the job would cost him, and bored holes which indicated the water table
<br /> was at eight feet, and the entire repair will have to be de-watered.
<br /> Director of Public Works Ulrich stated there was a substantial sugar maple tree, directly across the
<br /> street, which would be lost in the course of the repair. He stated they had spoken to that property
<br /> owner and stated they would replace the tree,which is located in the boulevard,however,happens
<br /> to be in the wrong place. He stated,in his opinion,they have done as much as they can to assist Mrs.
<br /> Vigen in this situation. He stated he did not believe Mounds View had soil conditions that are
<br /> incompatible to any types of irons. He stated there were some locations,particularly along county
<br /> roads,which have"hot soils"which have corroded and eaten through the pipe. He stated they have
<br /> between three to five of these surface breaks,per year, sometimes more. He stated that a majority
<br /> of the defects are in the workmanship. He stated that if there were imperfections in the workmanship
<br /> and the flange was not made property,throughout the years,the water pressure will continue to wear
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