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Director of Public Works Ulrich stated he had become involved in this matter after the Public Works foreman had spoken with Mrs. Vigen regarding the leak that had surfaced. He stated he had spoken with her on the telephone and explained the City ordinance, whereby the homeowner is responsible for repairs from the water main to the house. He stated he had also explained why this provision had been established, and that the ordinance had been revised to require the City be responsible for the repair of any impervious surface. He stated Mrs. Vigen explained that she did not have any money for this repair. Director of Public Works Ulrich stated that any time a resident contacts them regarding this type of repair, whether it be sewer or water, staff provides them with a list of licensed contractors that is available through the Community Development Department. He stated he was not aware, and found it hard to understand it could be taken in this manner. He stated they have inspected good jobs and bad jobs, and they are aware of what the contractors actually do. He stated staff might provide three or four names, however, are not recommending or endorsing any particular contractor. He stated the fact that the repair was performed without a permit or license was unknown at the time. He stated that typically, they receive a telephone call from the contractor requesting they come out and inspect the job, and in many cases, with the water conditions such as they are in the high water table, this has to be done almost immediately. He stated they do require 24-hour notice, however, there are times when they go to the site and find out the contractor does not have a permit. He stated, in this event, they will stop the work, and make the contractor obtain a permit, and if not licensed, the contractor is required to pay the fees and obtain a license, as well. He stated there are times they inspect a job, as the ground is about to cave in, and if the if the contractor does not come back, the repair is already made and out of their control.. He explained they do not always have control over the situation, when they are required to complete the process m such an expedient manner. Director of Public Works Ulrich stated he had explained to Mrs. Vigen, that the City does have a clause whereby the homeowner can be specially assessed, and can petition and sign a waiver, whereby the repairs will be paid for by the City an assessed on the homeowner's tax bill. He stated this clause was in consideration of elderly persons, or those living on a fixed income, that are not able to make the repair and pay for that type of improvement. He stated Mrs. Vigen declined that option. He explained, if she did not want to make payments on an annual basis, and she was 65 years or older, the cost could be placed on a deferred assessment, as provided by the Municipal Code. He stated, in this event, the repair would be paid for at the time the house or property exchanged hands. He stated he explained that there would be interest accruable for that period of time. He stated Mrs. Vigen had declined this option as well. Director of Public Works Ulrich stated he had offered to obtain as many bids as possible for Mrs. Vigen, and that Tim Pittman was also working in this regard. He stated he had received bids, which Mrs. Vigen had not yet reviewed, as she has been out of town for a while. He stated he had talked to both of these contractors, who had determined this was a complicated repair. He explained the water main was down eleven to twelve feet. He stated that one contractor came in, of his own volition, to determine what the job would cost him, and bored holes which indicated the water table was at eight feet, and the entire repair will have to be de-watered. • 11 C:\ADMIN\MINUTES\CC\8-09-99.CC