08-09-1999 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Director of Public Works Ulrich stated there was a substantial sugar maple tree, directly across the • street, which would be lost in the course of the repair. He stated they had spoken to that property owner and stated they would replace the tree, which is located in the boulevard, however, happens to be in the wrong place. He stated, in his opinion, they have done as much as they can to assist Mrs. Vigen in this situation. He stated he did not believe Mounds View had soil conditions that are incompatible to any types of irons. He stated there were some locations, particularly along county roads, which have "hot soils" which have corroded and eaten through the pipe. He stated they have between three to five of these surface breaks, per year, sometimes more. He stated that a majority of the defects are in the workmanship. He stated that if there were imperfections in the workmanship and the flange was not made property, throughout the years, the water pressure will continue to wear a spot in the flange, which starts as a small pinhole in the flange, and it continues to expand. He stated, for the most part, Mounds View has sandy soils, and they have not had many problems in this regard. He stated these situations were the reason the ordinance was revised to provide repair paid for by the City for any impervious surface repair. Mayor Coughlin clarified it was the present City Code, that the homeowner is responsible for the service coming off the main and to the house. Director of Public Works Ulrich stated this was correct, and added that the homeowner is also responsible for all of the appendages between those points, for water and sewer lines alike. Council Member Marty inquired regarding the definition of "hot soils." Director of Public Works - Ulrich explained this represented an organic soil. Mayor Coughlin added it was a soil that would affect the pH factor, relative to the metal in the ground. Mrs. Vigen stated, in her understanding of the Code, the homeowner was not responsible to the main, but to the street. She stated that she is being asked to pay for the repairs across the street. She stated is seems to her that the addition of $9,700 to the cost of her home would never be recovered. She stated she was a widow and, in regard to the waiver offered in light of her senior citizenship, she would be paying twice for that repair. She stated that 6.5 percent interest on $9,700 is $7,205, and with that, the principal is not even impacted. She stated she did not think this would be recovered at the time the house was sold. She stated she could only appeal to the Council's sense of fairness and equity in this matter. She stated this was not the first problem. She stated the first time this occurred she decided to follow the guidance of Council Member Thomason, and what she had read in the Charter. She stated she believed something else was being referenced in regard to her responsibility to the water main. She stated she would have to go back and re-read the Charter. Angela Vigen, 5108 Sunnyside Road, stated she was Mrs. Vigen's daughter. She stated, in December, a City worker had informed her that she and her mother were responsible for the repair from the curb to the house. She stated that being required to go across the street adds more to the cost of the repair. Mayor Coughlin requested Director of Public Works Ulrich confirm for the Council the present Code, which indicates from the main to the residence. Director of Public Work Ulrich stated this was correct, as set forth in Section 906.08. 12 C:\ADMIN\MINUTES\CC\8-09-99.CC