11-28-2005 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Moaday, November 14^2005 7:00 o’clock p.ni. COUNCIL MEETING NOV 2 8 2005 CITY OF ORONO ROLL The Council met on the above-mentioned date with the following members present: Mayor Barbara Peterson; Council Members Bob Sansevere, Jim Murphy. Jim White, and Lili McMillan; City Attorney Thomas Bannett. Representing Staff were City Administrator Ron Moorse, Planning Director Mike Gafiron, Planner Janice Gundlach; Engineer Tom Kellogg, Public Service Director Greg Gappa, and Recorder Jackie Young. Mayor Peterson called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. PUBLIC COMMENTS Nancy Anderson, 1260 Spruce Place, stated on September 4,200S, the Gty’s lift station in her neighborhood failed for the third time in five years causing a considerable amount of destruction to their residence. Anderson indicated they do have back flow valves installed at thtir residence but the valves were unsuccessful in stopping the flow of sewage into their house. Anderson stated the sewage completely ruined their master bedroom, bath, office, three closets, hallway, and ran into their heating system and crawl space. Anderson indicated their residence had to be cleaned by an environmental cleaning crew. Anderson commented they have resided in their home for the past 32 years and that they did not design or engineer the City's sewer system and were not consulted about the lift station in their area. Anderson stated they are required by law to be connected to the City sewer and arc required to pay for this service on a monthly basis. Anderson stated they experienced their first problems with sewer backing up into their home in 1990 and in 1992. At that time the City paid for the cleamq> and the necessary repairs to their home and the homes of several neighbors. Anderson indicated in 1992 they installed their first backflow valve system, which is monitored on a tegular basis. Anderson stated they also experienced sewer backups in Apiil 2001 and June 2003, which the City assumed responsibility for. Anderson stated despite the reasonable efforts they have undertaken, they have been unable to stop this fiom occurring and that they were informed by City Administration that the City is not responsible for this last incident of sewage backup into their residence. Anderson stated they have requested the City instell a bacloq> power source at this lift sUtion since 1992 and that this lift station experiences a tremendous amount of water infiltration during rainstorms. Anderson requested the City take some action to correct this problem and acknowledge that the City has a moral duty to correct this situmion. Sansevere inquired who ftom the City said the City is not responsible. Pi^l