Special Council Meeting

Sewer System Back-up

3:00 p.m. City Council Chambers

May 28, 2008

Attendance:

Mayor Piccolo Laurie Tryon, City Recorder

Councilmembers: John Daniels, Human Resource Director

Rick Davis Nick Sampinos, City Attorney

Richard Tatton Pat Larsen, Finance Director

Kathy Hanna-Smith

Jeff Nielson

Excused: Councilmember McEvoy

This open meeting was held to discuss the City’s plan and procedure to evaluate the condition of the sewer system throughout the City.

Gary Sonntag stated that City staff will use special cameras to go inside of the sewer lines and map the system on a rating schedule for a full analysis. The City can then identify a plan to clean potential problem lines and review which lines need to be replaced. Priority will be placed on analyzing the system over a three year period with as much work done in house as possible. The study would show that Price City is addressing the current needs of the system and preparing for future growth. A master plan study for the sewer system would cost approximately $80,000-100,000 and should be budgeted. The main purpose for the study would be to address the following three items: 1) Creating a sewer master plan to understand the capacity of the pipelines; 2) Finding out what the condition is of the existing system, and whether lines need to be replaced or cleaned to overcome potential problems to prevent backups. 3) Day to day monitoring of the system, dealing with contractors, splitting City crews to do other jobs. Gary stated that City employees are good at what they do and know how to operate the equipment, but are only making a dent in keeping the sewer system clean. An outside contractor would be able to do a much more thorough job in half the time because they would be only doing that job. City crews are doing multiple tasks and are unable to concentrate their time on just one specific job. The Mayor and Council would like to see the water department focus on a more extensive training program and be able to use the resources available to them to protect the liability, health and welfare of the citizens. The City will work toward rehabilitating the sewer system as may be needed.

The City responds to all matters as quickly as it can to minimize problems. The most recent improvements to the water and sewer department are the door hangers that have been printed to notify citizens 72 hours in advance when there is going to be work performed in the area. Citizens are then able to watch their own sewer for backups while their crews are working so that the City can immediately manage a problem before something negative occurs.

The last sewer backup problem on 400 South was due in part to grease build up on the sewer pipe walls. The grease may have come from local businesses that do not have grease traps. A meeting should be held to educate those business owners on what is involved with clogged sewer pipes due to grease build up. The City Attorney will send a letter to those local businesses inviting them to view the sewer video recordings and to work on the problem together.

Gary Sonntag will review today’s discussion Sam White, the Water and Sewer Supervisor and return to the City Council for some direction regarding the proposed study, maintenance and rehabilitation plan.

Meeting adjourned at 4:10 p.m. by Mayor Piccolo pursuant to the motion by

Councilmember Tatton.

APPROVED ATTEST

___________________________ __________________________

Joe L. Piccolo, Mayor Laurie Tryon, City Recorder