3.4. SR 07-09-2001MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Mayor and Council
Pat Klaers, City Ad~n~istr~tor
July 9, 2001
Westwood Sewer Line Repair
Item 3.4.
Attached for your information is a letter from the city engineer regarding the repair of the
McGarthwaite sewer service line. We are not sure who is responsible for the sewer line
problem but it is clear that this unique problem was a result of thc original hookup to the
house (The contractor may have been at fault or we might have made an error in our
inspection). I believe the city and not the homeowner should be responsible for the cost of
correcting this mistake. The WWTP reserve fund can absorb this expense. This is the first
situation of this type that we have experienced in over 15 years.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the city pay for the Westwood sewer line repair.
Howard R, Green Company
June 20, 2001
File: 230000M-0325
Mr. Pat Klaers
City Administrator
City of Elk River
13065 Orono Parkway
P.O. Box 490
Elk River, Minnesota 55330-0490
RE:
McGARTHWAITE SEWER REPAIR
CITY OF ELK RIVER, MINNESOTA
Dear Mr. Klaers:
Attached is the bill from Big Jon's Construction Company for the repair of the McGarthwaite
sewer service located at 18829 Albany Street. The bill includes a charge of $1,449.91 for
Big Jon's manpower and equipment and additional charge of $155.50 for the rental of a
trench box to meet OSHA standards. Therefore, the total of the bill is $1,605.41. This total
is substantially lower than the original estimate of $3,000-$3,500. The reason for the lower
cost is the minimal water that was encountered and no repair of the street necessary; all
work was conducted in the boulevard area. In fact, the City's wastewater treatment plant
provided a pump and hose for part of the dewatering effort. Gary Leirmoe helped with the
dewatering effort and was around the site until 8:00 p.m. the night the work was done.
Once the sewer service was uncovered, Gary reported that the original construction of the
service from the property line to the home may have been the source of the problem. Gary
indicated that it appeared to him the service stub from the home may have been too short,
and therefore, came out of the stub from the street. Also, he indicated that there was no
gasket present at this joint. In addition, it appeared that a large piece of wood ended up on
top of the pipe during the backfilling of the service installation.
Given this set of circumstances and the relatively inexpensive repair, I would suggest that
the City may want to consider paying this bill and not assessing it back to the McGarthwaite
property.
If you have any questions or would like further information regarding this issue, please call.
Sincerely,
Howard R. Green Company
Enclosure
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O:\PROJ~230000M\0325\Ltr-062001 ~Klaers.doc
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