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05-05-82 S&W Comm MinutesMAY 5, 1982 — 4:00 P. M. The Sewer & Water Committee met at 4:00 P. M., May 5, 1982 in the conference room at City Hall. Committee Chairman Ruiz presided. Those present were Mayor McDowell; Councilmen Nystul, Saverud and Vidal; Director of Public Works Hafferman, Water Supt. Hughes and Tom Flynn. Councilman Ruiz introduced Carolyn Crawford, 720 9th Avenue West, who is protesting a sundry bill for a water line repair job. Mrs. Crawford contends that half the property owners in town are treated unjustly because a water main runs down one side of a street and repairs made for the other side are charged for extra pipe the width of the street. Director of Public Works Hafferman explained that since 1915 it has been the policy for the City to install and maintain water lines to and including the corporation stop and the remainder of the service line, including the curb stop is the responsibility of the property owner. The Water Department used to do the work and furnish materials and bill the owner, but the new rule is to call a private contractor. Mrs. Crawford contended that she has no control over a line running beneath the street and yet she is responsible for repairing if it freezes, whereas the property across the street is probably free of frozen lines because of the snow blanket. Mr. Flynn stated that nearly all cities in the State have the same policy as we do and the PSC upholds the policy. Councilman Ruiz explained that we try to keep things equitable for the majority, but it is impossible to be equitable to all persons - for instance, a house on the back of a lot would pay for an extra 150' of line. The Committee recommended our policy stay unchanged. Mrs. Crawford asked where she could go next with her complaint. She was told that she could address the entire council at any regular meeting. After discussion, Councilman Ruiz moved to adopt the Water Department Policy on Main Shut -Off for Service Line Repairs as attached. After discussion, Councilman Ruiz recommended that the Council adopt the attached amendment to Rules and Regulations for the Kalispell Water Department. The amendment will be presented to City Attorney Neier for review before being presented to the Council. Following the meeting the committee toured a trouble spot at Woodland Avenue and the Wastewater Treatment Plant. AMENDMENT TO RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE KALISPELL WATER DEPARTMENT Rule II (3) amended to read as follows: "Commercial Service" means any water usage other than solely for resident- ial purpose except in a residence in which the resident operates a neighbor- hood business occupying less than thirty per cent of the living area and which the water consumption for the business would be insignificant. iliere a single structure has a neighborhood business exceeding the foregoing or has more than one business combined with a residence, the water servicer shall be considered "Commercial Service". Schools, hospitals, nursing homes, churches, hotels, motels, trailer parks, apartments and rooming housing hav- ing over two rooms on a rental basis are considered Commercial. Services and not Residential. Two or more single family residences, each having one or more doors exiting directly to the outside, combined in one structure, are considered Residential Service. Rule V (5) Insert another paragraph between the second and third paragraphs to read as follows: Commercial Services, such as nursing homes, which can produce documentation satisfactory to the Water Department, showing their occupancy does not vary significantly and any variation is not related to seasons of the year will not be required to install separate metering to obtain the Water Sprinkling Rate until such time as the existing plumbing is remodeled, Rule V (8) Revise the first sentence to read as follows: No charge will be made for turning the water on to new customers, including a new home owner re-establishing a aid --up account maintained by the previous home owner, or to existing customers for turning their water off when they cancel their account, provided such turn -on or turn-off is requested to be made during regular working hours. Add Rule XXI to read as follows: Rule XXI Establishing Policy The City Council may adopt, establish or change policies which define and govern the action of the Water Department personnel on specific and special conditions. The said policy shall not be in conflict with any of the Rules and Regulations contained herein. The decision of the City Council to adopt, establish or change such policies shall be made by a motion duly adopted and approved and filed with the City Clerk. WATER DEPARTMENT POLICY ON MAIN SHUT-OFF FOR SERVICE LINE REPAIRS Repairs on Usage Side of Curb Stop All work shall be done by a Contractor except as noted in the policy for "Emergency Work on Service Lines". Contractors who are licensed, bonded and insured in accordance with City Standards should be equipped with a shut-off key for curb stops. Repairs between the Main and the Curb Stop All work on the service line beyond the corporation stop on the main shall be done by a Contractor, except as noted in the policy for "Emergency Work on Service Lines". It shall be the Water Department's responsibility, at the Water Department's expense, to excavate to the corporation stop on the main, turn off the stop, turn the stop on after repair is completed by the Contractor, and backfill and make the surface restoration on that portion excavated by the City. The City may opt to valve off the main in lieu of. excavating to the corporation stop, after first considering usage require- ments at the time of repair, temporary shut -down of any fire hydrants and potential hazards and interruption of traffic. The corporation stop is considered a part of the main and not part of the service line.