[Ord. No. 2017-041 § I, 1-20-2017]
A. 
The owner of a single-family home, or a multi-family building containing not more than two (2) dwelling units may recover one hundred percent (100%) of the authorized cost, up to three thousand dollars ($3,000.00), in repairing defective sewer lateral service lines serving the property of the owner in compliance with the City's policy and procedures governing this program.
B. 
Each owner of a single-family home, or a multi-family building containing not more than two (2) dwellings units shall be assessed twenty-eight dollars ($28.00) per year on their annual personal property tax bill. Owners of residential dwellings who are delinquent in paying the tax bill will not be allowed to participate in the program.
C. 
Commercial and industrial properties cannot participate in the program. Multi-family properties that contain more than six (6) dwelling units per property are not eligible for this program. This program will not cover any costs of sewer lateral repairs performed prior to January 1, 2002.
[Ord. No. 2017-041 § II, 1-20-2017]
A sewer lateral service line is the sewer line, which extends three (3) to five (5) feet from the outside of 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 any building. A sewer lateral service line may be located in a front, side, or rear yard. If a property owner is experiencing a problem with their sewer lateral service line, the owner must first contact a licensed plumbing company or a licensed drainlayer company and have the line cabled or jetted. (Sometimes the problem is a clogged line, and not a problem with the line itself.) As a common home maintenance expense, the cost of this cabling or jetting is not reimbursable by the City. If the problem is not resolved by cabling or jetting of the line, the owner should contact the Municipal Clerk at Velda Village Hills City Hall at (314) 261-7221, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., to secure an application and instructions for participation in the program.
[Ord. No. 2017-041 § III, 1-20-2017]
A. 
The property owner (not the tenant) must submit the application for participation in the program prior to any work.
B. 
A complete application form is to be submitted to the Board of Alderman by the property owner with:
1. 
Master plumber/drainlayer certification completed by the licensed master plumber/drainlayer who verified the need for a sewer lateral repair; and
2. 
A paid tax receipt.
C. 
The Board of Alderman will review the licensed master plumber/drainlayer certification and will accept or deny the application.
[Ord. No. 2017-041 § IV, 1-20-2017]
A. 
The property owner will be solely responsible to hire a contractor to perform the repairs. In addition to repair of the sewer lateral, this program will also be used to defray the costs to replace street-side sidewalks, driveway approaches, street trees and streets to the extent that they are damaged and/or removed to accomplish the repair, up to a maximum of three thousand dollars ($3,000.00).
B. 
After the homeowner accepts work and proof of payment has been submitted to the Board of Alderman for review and approval, the City will process its reimbursement directly to the homeowner.
[Ord. No. 2017-041 § V, 1-20-2017]
A. 
The following costs are authorized for reimbursement under the program, up to three thousand dollars ($3,000.00):
1. 
The cost of removal of any site improvements (i.e., fences, sidewalks, driveway, trees, landscaping, etc.) necessary for excavation to repair or replace the sewer.
2. 
The cost of excavation and repair or replacement of the defective sanitary sewer lateral. This program does not cover excavation and repair under any structure, including the home.
3. 
The cost of restoration of any street, street-side sidewalk, street tree [two and five tenths (2.5) inches caliper maximum], tree lawn, or driveway approach.
[Ord. No. 2017-041 § VI, 1-20-2017]
A. 
The following costs are not authorized for reimbursement under the program:
1. 
The cost of interior cleanup or other damage to the interior of the home or personal property caused by sanitary sewer backups resulting from the failure of the sanitary sewer lateral.
2. 
The cost of lost wages or income to the home occupant due to absence from work necessary to work with the City or contractors to complete the repairs under the program.
3. 
The initial cost of cabling, jetting or other methods to attempt to clear the blockage prior to repair.
4. 
If it is determined that the need for such repair or replacement of the sanitary sewer lateral is the result of a natural disaster, negligence or damage caused during the course of other excavation or construction on the site.
[Ord. No. 2017-041 § VII, 1-20-2017]
A. 
No individual repair shall be charged against the fund in an amount in excess of three thousand dollars ($3,000.00). Any costs in excess of this amount shall be the responsibility of the property owner.
B. 
The City will invest the money collected for this fund until needed. Any interest earned shall be added back into the fund. The money in this fund is dedicated for the sole use of eligible sewer lateral repairs as described in this Chapter. Reimbursements to homeowners will be processed on a first come, first served basis. If eligible reimbursement exceed the amount in the fund, reimbursements will be made in subsequent years.