 Plumier recalled that it was nearly a year ago when LCC attorney
Rick Hobler visited the council with a request for the city to take
over maintenance of the Campus View Drive sewer lines. At that time,
it was stipulated that the city would have to inspect the lines
before the request could be considered.
The inspection required that each homeowner sign a waiver holding
the city blameless if damage to the sewer occurred. Plumier
explained that many of the homeowners were reluctant to sign the
waivers, and it took nearly 10 months for the college to get all the
signatures.
During the discussion that followed, it was agreed that most of
the current property owners probably were not aware when they
purchased their homes that the sewer line has always been a private
line, with each property owner responsible for maintenance and
repair costs on the portion that connects their property. Adding to
their confusion is that everyone gets a sewer bill from the city.
The college originally put in the sewer line. Homes were built
later and added to that line. At first it was faculty members who
bought the homes and lived there, but now some of the homes have
been sold several times over, and the knowledge or understanding
that it is a private line was lost.
City engineer Mark Mathon reported to the city council at the
Nov. 25 meeting that the attempt to televise the sewer lines
resulted in several problems, including a root ball, a 45-degree
angle not properly installed and a sewer tap that was protruding
into the line, resulting in a situation that would have certainly
damaged city equipment had they tried to navigate around it.
Additionally, there have been several permanent structures built
over portions of the sewer line.
The city codes stipulate that for a sewer line to be added to the
city works, it must be in good working order. This line has issues
that, according to Mathon and wastewater treatment manager David
Kitzmiller, could prevent it from being added to the city system.
During the Tuesday night meeting, Plumier said that he realized
and understood that the city was probably not going to be willing to
take over the sewer lines in the state they are now, but he posed
the question: "I'm wondering, is there something else that can be
done, something in between, some way that this could be a
win-win-win situation for the city, the 22 homeowners and LCC?"
After Plumier finished addressing the council, many of the
members offered answers and comments on some of the subjects he had
spoken on.
Mayor Pro Tem Marty Neitzel reminded Plumier that even if the
city did take on the sewer, there was still going to be a portion
that was the responsibility of each homeowner, and if the problems
with the sewer are on their property, the homeowner will always be
responsible.
She later stated that if the sewer were repaired, the city would
be willing to look at the request again in the future. Exemptions
could be made for where structures were built over it, putting
responsibility on the property owner.
Alderwoman Melody Anderson explained that in regard to the
sewerage fees, even though the line didn't belong to the city, it
did connect to the city system, and the sewage from Campus View
Drive is delivered to the city's treatment plant and treated the
same as any other.
Neitzel asked Kitzmiller if he could shed any light on the
situation. He said that he had spoken with Plumier only that
afternoon and at this point really didn't have any answers for them.
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Kitzmiller added, though, that when looking to see if there is
indeed a middle ground where the city can work with these
homeowners, it needs to be understood by the council that this would
likely lead to similar requests for agreements with other privately
owned sewer lines.
Alderman Buzz Busby suggested that a simple answer might be for
the homeowners to pitch in a certain amount each and then pay to
have the entire line cleaned out. He said that it would benefit
everyone.
City attorney Bill Bates noted that the problems with the sewer
cannot all be solved with a cleaning. Portions of the line are not
constructed properly and may need to be rebuilt.
Bates also suggested that the homeowners should look to the
Illinois Drainage Code to guide them in determining who is
financially responsible for what portion of the repairs.
He concluded that, right now, he does not see a solution that
would involve the city taking over the sewer lines.
Kitzmiller said he thought Plumier understands that the city
isn't going to take over the line but would like for there to be an
agreement where, for a fee, the city would go in and clean the line
when it backs up.
Plumier added to those comments, saying that the city could ask
for a waiver holding them harmless if damage occurred during the
cleaning. He said that he really wanted to be able to offer the
homeowners something.
He expects that the council will vote no to taking over the line,
and he wants to be able to go back to the homeowners and tell them
to just hang on, that they are working on something else.
Kitzmiller suggested that "the council could go ahead and vote
and say we have enough information; we're not going to take this
sewer over, but we can continue to think about something outside the
box that will assist."
Plumier said he would be fine with that answer.
The matter will be voted on at Monday night's meeting, and per
suggestion from Alderman Verl Prather, may go to committee for the
purpose of determining if there is indeed anything else that the
city can do to assist the residents of Campus View Drive.
[By
NILA SMITH]
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