April 25th meeting question Public Comment from Shelly PerezAimee Brunckhorst
From: Shelly Perez <shellyperez@ymail.com>
Sent: Monday, April 25, 2022 8:16 AM
To: Kalispell Meetings Public Comment
Subject: EXTERNAL April 25th meeting question
Hello. My name is Shelly Perez. My husband and I are long time residents of Kalispell. Recently we bought a home in
district 7 on Main Street over by Lawrence Park. We absolutely love this neighborhood and have always wanted to live in
it. As you know buying a home is harder today than it ever has been for average home buyers. We had to buy the home
without a home inspection due to the current market. Once in the home we realized the sewer lines were damaged due
to tree roots. It took all our resources to buy the home. I had heard that other cities were helping their citizens figure
out solutions so I started trying to look for answers. I found out that sewer line insurance is very affordable at an
average of $7 a month but it is not available in Kalispell. I learned that some cities in Montana were taking great steps to
help with citizens. Helena offers a no interest loan that residents pay off monthly with their water bill. Great Falls and
Missoula work with a company called Service Line Warranties of America. I spoke with Kalispell's director of public
works, he told me that something like this was considered a long time ago. Please reconsider a plan to help us keep
Kalispell as affordable as possible for average people. At the end of this letter I've attached what those cities websites
says about their programs. Thank you for helping make Kalispell a wonderful place to live.
Respectively,
Shelly Perez
406-253-6559
shellyperez@ymail.com
Here is what Helena has to say about their
p rog ra m :
Service Line Replacement Loan Program
When the worst happens, the City of Helena can help. 457- 8567
A service line is the conduit of pipe that brings good drinking water to your home and takes away wastewater. These are the connecting pipes
to City water and sewer mains. The average service line in the City of Helena is 49 years of age. Many of these older pipes are also made of
clay and are not buried to today's require depths, which make them susceptible to freezing during the winter.
If you have a service line event, contact the Utility Maintenance Division to learn about the Service Line Replacement Loan Program.
General program details:
• 0% Interest Rate
• Homeowners can receive up to $15,000 in repair costs.
Eligible:
0 Residential property owners.
• Single family only.
• One dwelling per lot.
• For repair or replacement purposes.
Ineligible:
• New service lines for existing and new construction.
• Commercial property owners.
The Service Line Replacement Loan Program was put into effect through No. 2.0494 on the 29th of October, 2018 to lighten the
immediate financial burden to homeowners needing to repair a water service line or sewer service line on an emergency basis. The zero
percent (0%) interest loan is offered to all Helena residents who pay into the loan program via their City Utility bills and is restricted to single
dwelling unit residential properties. Loan coverage extends from the connection to the main to within 2 feet of the exterior foundation wall of
the home. The loan term is not to exceed 10 years from the date of loan approval, though loans can be paid off at any time prior to 10 years
with no penalty assessed. In addition, dependent on the Median Family Income of the applicant, the homeowner may be eligible for loan
deferral, which allows the homeowner to pay off the loan upon the sale or transfer of the property. All prospective loan recipients must go
through an application and approval process, submit their contractor(s)' bids and final invoices, and sign a Loan Agreement, prior to receipt of
loan funds. For additional information, please see No 2.0494, call 457 8567, or send an email to UMDinfo(at)helenamt.gov. If
you would like to apply for a Service Line Replacement Loan, please fill out the Sexvice Line, R'eprpacemeni, Lan Proyrnam /gip plicalion
i atea-iaps' and return your application to the address on the application.
What Great Falls is doing:
Service Line Warranties of America FAQs
The City of Great Falls joins with Service Line Warranties of
America to offer customers service line protection.
The City of Great Falls has partnered with SLWA, offering a program that is used by over
700 cities, municipalities, and utilities around the US. SLWA has been in business since
2003 and is accredited by the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating. SLWA and its
parent, HomeServe, provide service to more than 3.1 million homeowners, and has
performed more than 1.3 million repairs for customers over the last 3 years, and
received high ratings from customers receiving service. This program is endorsed by the
National League of Cities and Towns and Montana League of Cities and Towns. See
attached letter from MLCT Executive Director Tim Burton.