RESIDENTIAL SEWER LATERAL REPAIR PROGRAM WHAT IS IT

RESIDENTIAL SEWER LATERAL REPAIR PROGRAM WHAT IS IT? • Proposition 1 on the April 6, 1999 Election Ballot • Ordinance 19, 701 -1999 passed by County Council • Homeowners to pay $28. 00 fee per year – – $28. 00 fee collected on the property tax bills Identified by a single locator number Assessed as residential by the Assessor of Revenue Locator contains 6 or less dwelling units • Program pays for patch or replacement of lateral lines • Does not pay for landscaping 12/30/99 Public Forum - Sewer Lateral

WHAT IS A SEWER LATERAL? • The portion of the sewage system that carries household waste from foundation to the sewer main. • Sewer Laterals are located in a front, side or rear yard. • May pass through neighbor’s yard. • Includes line to septic tank and to private sewage treatment system. Side View Sidewalk House Street Sewer Main Simple In-Street Cross Street 12/30/99 Public Forum - Sewer Lateral Foundation Line

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM? • Provide a safe and healthy environment for the citizens of St. Louis County. • Defective sewer laterals can cause sanitary problems from reduced capacity to total system failure. • Can cause safety hazards by eroding a street and creating a pothole or cave-ins. • Can result in public health hazards • Can produce reduced property values • Minimize homeowners repair costs. • Sewer lateral repair cost range from $2, 000 to $15, 000 12/30/99 Public Forum - Sewer Lateral

HOW WAS THE PROGRAM DEVELOPED? • Steering Committee - members from: – St. Louis County Departments of • • Public Works Administration - Fiscal Management County Counselor’s Office Health Highways & Traffic Planning Procurement Revenue – Metropolitan Sewer District – Missouri Department of Transportation • Reviewed other Municipalities’ Programs 12/30/99 Public Forum - Sewer Lateral

HOW WAS THE PROGRAM DEVELOPED? • Input from the Plumbing / Drainlaying Industry • Criteria for selection – Legal - proposed program must conform to the – Financially Conservative - cost conscious – Responsive - must respond to the citizen requirements – Fiscally Responsible - must live within its fees – Simplicity - program must be understandable – Comprehensive - account for all conceivable demands – Minimize the opportunity for fraud or abuse – Equal access to the public – Equal opportunity to the industry • Public Meeting to discuss proposed Program • Program submitted to County Council for Ordinance • Ordinance passed by the council • Proposed Budget passed by the council 12/30/99 Public Forum - Sewer Lateral

OUTLINE OF THE PROGRAM • • • Blockage / sinkhole recognized by citizen / agency Citizen calls in “plumber” Initial Cabling performed - if blockage Adequate Cabling does not fix the problem Citizen applies to St. Louis County for repair / replacement of sewer lateral – Application must be Completed by property owner – Endorsed by a Licensed Plumber / Drain Layer – Includes verification that Adequate Cabling has been performed – Includes sufficient information to “Bid the Repair” • cable attempt, location of blockage / sinkhole, location of lines, relation to the street, etc. – Includes guarantee of access to make repair – Indemnifies the County • All items to this point done at citizen’s expense 12/30/99 Public Forum - Sewer Lateral

OUTLINE OF THE PROGRAM - continued • Sewer Lateral Program Funding Begins • St. Louis County reviews the requests – Determines eligibility for the program – Determines any special repair requirements • TV survey camera to limit repair costs • Street repairs required (Direct input from Highways) • Collateral damage - porch, retaining walls, etc. • St. Louis County requests three bids – From all licensed drain-layers – Modified lottery - opportunity is based on interest in program, capacity in the geographic area, previous performance, etc. – Bids due in 24 -48 hours - specific bid format, standard plans and specs – Award to low, responsible bidder – Bid includes application for appropriate permits 12/30/99 Public Forum - Sewer Lateral

OUTLINE OF THE PROGRAM - continued • Contractor has two weeks to complete the repairs – Inspections called in by contractor - schedule by county – Inspections completed by Code Enforcement Inspectors – Liquidated damages for slow performance • Contractor invoices St. Louis County – Invoice includes certification of Prevailing Wage – Invoice validated based on Code Enforcement Inspections – Payments made direct to the contractor • Complaints System for citizen feedback • Annual Program Review to – Validate annual fee – Assure program efficiency 12/30/99 Public Forum - Sewer Lateral

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES • Homeowner calls licensed Drain layer • Licensed Drain layer – verifies repair is an emergency – begins repair work to point that relieves emergency • • – Stops ! Homeowner application first business day Plumbing Inspector verifies emergency Public Works negotiates final repair contract Repair work is completed like a non-emergency 12/30/99 Public Forum - Sewer Lateral

REPAIR STANDARDS • Focus on the broken part of the sewer lateral • Avoid collateral damages - as much as economically reasonable • Restore to minimum occupancy standards – Landscaping - only backfill and re-seed grass • No trees, shrubs, or flowers • No special grass or sod • No fences, dog fences, or sprinkler systems – Pavement - minimize impact, repair to make usable – Sidewalks - repair to make usable – Structures - critical facilities repaired (garage floor) • Will restore for “safe occupancy” 12/30/99 Public Forum - Sewer Lateral

RETROACTIVE COVERAGE • January 1, 1999 - December 31, 1999 • Legal Repairs completed before program start – All required permits were obtained • Requires documented application – Paid receipts from permitted contractors • 315 permits issued Jan - Oct of 1999 • Applicant must have paid the Fee for 1999 • 50% cost reimbursement 12/30/99 Public Forum - Sewer Lateral

STEPS FOR REIMBURSEMENT • • Will mail out applications to eligible homeowners Homeowner completes application Homeowner submits application with paid receipts Application reviewed by Public Works – – – verifies ownership paid real estate taxes proper permit issued claimed amount actually paid amount paid is allowable cost • Reimbursement for 50% of allowable cost 12/30/99 Public Forum - Sewer Lateral

EXPECTED COSTS 12/30/99 Public Forum - Sewer Lateral

PROPOSED PROGRAM SUMMARY ÖLegal - Prevailing wage, meets contract standards for competition. ÖFinancially Conservative - Only broken parts of sewer laterals ÖResponsive - emergency and routine processes, pays full cost ÖFiscally Responsible - all costs funded from fee (over long haul) ÖSimplicity - one stop for the citizen, single point for industry ÖComprehensive - accounts for all known options ÖMinimize fraud - licensed drain layers only, three bids, public process, annual audits, citizen’s feedback ÖEqual access - no deductible, no artificial limits, all systems ÖEqual opportunity - open competition for entire industry 12/30/99 Public Forum - Sewer Lateral