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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 23, 2006 Page 7 1 would be assessed over 10 years. Verbal approval has been given to waive the fee and written 2 approval will arrive soon. 4 Councilmember Horst stated the City currently has an ordinance on sump pump and illegal 5 dumping. He questioned why it is necessary to add this ordinance. Mr. Hubmer explained the 6 language in the ordinance is more specific on the inspections and the rights of the City. The 7 surcharge fee for those individuals who do not allow the inspections or correct the illicit 8 connection to the sewer system is better explained in the ordinance also. This is a proactive 9 ordinance rather than a reactive one. 10 11 Mr. Hubmer advised the inspections are expected to begin fall of 2006. If an individual does not 12 comply, the surcharge of $100 per month will be imposed until they allow the inspection. Once 13 the inspection is complete, individuals have until 2007 to comply. If there is a financial hardship, 14 the resident can talk to the finance director to assess the property owner over a five year period. 15 This assessment will include interest to the city for handling the administrative costs and also for 16 borrowing this money over a five year period 17 18 Mayor Faust conveyed that he wants everyone to understand that the City is serious about fixing 19 the problem and there are repercussions for noncompliance. This is a new aggressive approach to 20 addressing a water problem from the past. 21 22 Councilmember Thuesen stressed the importance of continuing community-wide communication 23 so residents understand what this is about. He explained this is not the "big brother" heavy 24 handed approach to fixing this problem 25 26 Mr. Hubmer confirmed a rigorous public information process related to this process will 27 continue in the form of newspapers and flyers. The plan is to accommodate the needs of the 28 residents and to give them information on the timeframe and the process for this project. The 29 City is very sensitive to the fact they will be entering private homes. 30 31 Councilmember Stille ask what the average cost to the residents would be. Mr. Hubmer 32 indicated the average cost will be approximately $1200 to $2000 for the residents. He 33 encouraged residents to be creative and combine their effort with neighbors to hire the plumber 34 and pool resources to lower the costs. 35 36 Mr. Hubmer reminded everyone that if the City does not come into compliance with the 37 Metropolitan Council's I/I goal for St. Anthony Village, future demand charges of about 38 $600,000 per year per occurrence will be placed on St. Anthony Village. This money would 39 come out of the sewer fund for which the City would have to raise funds. There are significant 40 savings to the City to come into conformance. 41 42 Councilmember Horst asked if the inspections will be done at the same time as the installation of 43 water meters and sewers. Mr. Hubmer indicated that the plan is to do both at the same time. The 44 goal is to get both completed over the winter months. 45