[Ord. No. 00-758 §1, 11-13-2000; Ord. No. 05-854 §1, 1-11-2005]
A. 
In November of 1999, the voters of the City of Charlack overwhelmingly approved the proposition to assess up to twenty-eight ($28.00) per year on all residential property containing six (6) or fewer dwelling units thereby creating a fund to pay the cost of certain repairs of defective sewer lateral service line serving such dwelling units. This program will lessen the burden on residents to pay for these costly repairs.
B. 
The following Sections are the City of Charlack's policy and procedures to administer this program. Any inquiries should be directed to the City Clerk of the City of Charlack.
[Ord. No. 00-758 §1, 11-13-2000; Ord. No. 05-854 §1, 1-11-2005]
A. 
This program is to commence on January 1, 2005.
B. 
A fee will be assessed at the rate of seven dollars ($7.00) per quarter (twenty-eight dollars ($28.00) per year) on all residential property having six (6) or less dwelling units to provide funds to pay a portion of the cost of certain repairs of defective lateral sewer lines of those dwelling units.
C. 
A lateral sewer services line is a sewer line which extends from the building foundation wall or exterior wall to the sewer main in the street or sewer easement. It does not include a sewer line located under any part of the building. A lateral sewer service line may be located in the front, side or rear wall.
D. 
The fees collected allow the City to pay up to eighty percent (80%) of the cost of the repair with a cap of three thousand five hundred dollars ($3,500.00). Effective as of January 1, 2005, the owner of single-family home, duplex or apartment building containing not more than six (6) dwelling units may recover eighty percent (80%) up to three thousand five hundred dollars ($3,500.00) of the cost for repairing defective lateral sewer service lines serving the property of the owner. Applications for reimbursement must adhere to the City's policy set forth in this document.
E. 
The City will authorize the repair of a defective sewer lateral if, after investigation, it is found to be crushed beyond the control of the property owner except for an act of God (i.e., earthquake, etc.) or if, as a result of pipe cracks or leaking joints, tree roots or soil have infiltrated the pipe resulting in a blockage of the pipe rendering the lateral not functional. Simple blockage that can be corrected by sewer cleaning or rodding will not be covered under this program.
F. 
The responsibility of the City is limited to excavation and repair of the lateral pipe and backfilling in a workmanlike manner. It will be the responsibility of the property owner to restore landscaping and ground cover, including grass, in whatever manner they choose. The City will not be responsible for restoration of the yard to a grass or landscaped surface.
G. 
The City reserves the right to reject any portion of the property owner's bill which does not fall within the reasonable and customary costs for such a project. The City will also have the right to reject ancillary costs which are deemed excessive or unnecessary.
H. 
The City has no obligation or responsibility for the performance by the contractor and no responsibility for any damages caused to the owner's property by reason of the sewer line defects.
I. 
The City in a separate fund shall invest the money collected for this fund until needed. Any interest earned by the fund shall be added to the fund. The money in this fund is dedicated to and shall be used only for sewer lateral repairs as outlined above.
J. 
The City may periodically amend this policy in the best interest of the City and its homeowners, except as may be restricted by State laws, County ordinances or the City ordinances. The City will review the costs and may adjust the percentage of payment for future years.
[Ord. No. 00-758 §1, 11-13-2000; Ord. No. 05-854 §1, 1-11-2005]
A. 
If an owner is experiencing a problem with the lateral sewer service line, the owner should contact a plumbing company or drain and sewer cleaning company to have the line cabled. The cost of cleaning out the sewer line will not be a reimbursable cost item.
B. 
If the problem is not resolved by cabling of the line, the property owner should contact the Public Works Department or the office of the City Clerk at Charlack City Hall (#427-4715) between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M., Monday through Friday.
C. 
The resident may arrange for the Metropolitan Sewer District to perform a dye test. In most instances, this test will disclose whether there is a break in the sewer lateral service line.
D. 
If the dye test does not indicate a break in the sewer lateral line, the owner may hire a contractor to televise the line so that the cause of the problem can be determined. If that test discloses that the line is defective, the cost of the testing up to one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) is included as part of the reimbursable cost. Any such contractor must obtain any necessary permits from the City of Charlack and/or St. Louis County before the work is begun. Videotapes of televised lines submitted to the City should be dated within the past three (3) months.
E. 
The owner must fill out an application and bring a copy of the paid real estate tax bill for the property.
F. 
Upon completion of the corrective work and payment by the owner, the owner is to file an affidavit with the City of Charlack which shows that the work has been completed and fully paid for, with a copy of the paid bill showing exactly the work that has been completed, along with the documentation from MSD for a dye test and documentation of the camera work from the contractor. The City will review the affidavit and paid bills. If the work is determined by the City to have been for repair of the defective line, the City will reimburse the owner for eighty percent (80%) up to three thousand five hundred dollars ($3,500.00) of such corrective work.