[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.