REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on Councilmember Chahal’s Request Related to Resident’s Request for Financial Assistance with Sanitary Sewer Overflow [Council Pillar: Enhance Community Engagement and Transparency]
Report
BACKGROUND
On April 26, 2020, Councilmember Chahal (Attachment 1) sent an email to the City Manager and Assistant City Clerk requesting an item be placed on an upcoming City Council agenda related to a resident, Mr. Meng Tung Lim, has requested Council for financial assistance to repair the lower lateral sewer at his home.
Per Council Policy 30, Adding and Item to an Agenda (Attachment 2), the Mayor or any individual Council Member may submit a written request to the City Manager’s Office for inclusion of an item on a City Council agenda, provided the request is received two (2) days prior to the public release of the agenda packet. It is worth noting that the City Council Policy does not require a staff report on the matter, rather the request for it to be added for future consideration.
Attachment 3 includes additional documentation requested to be attached by Councilmember Chahal.
DISCUSSION
Mr. Lim is a resident at 1731 Roll Street and has called in City sewer crew for the recurring sewage backup at his residence, apparently due to tree root intrusion into the sewer lateral. The City crew cleared the sewer lateral line from the property line cleanout to the sewer main (lower lateral) and performed the closed-circuit television (CCTV) of the sewer lateral to determine the condition of the lateral. The CCTV identified that the lateral has multiple offsets and separations at the joints at number of locations that required a replacement of the lower lateral (from the cleanout to the City’s main).
In the City of Santa Clara, the entire sewer lateral (from the building to the City-owned sewer main) is owned by the property owner; the property owner is therefore responsible for maintenance and repairs to the entire lateral. See City Code Sections 13.10.020(s)(5) and 13.10.040. The property owner's responsibility for maintenance and repair of sewer connections and laterals has been consistent in the City Code since 1981. Although the property owners own the entire length of the sewer lateral associated with their property, the City provides maintenance through cleaning when requested, as a service to utility customers, in the lower section of the sewer lateral from the property line cleanout to the sewer main.
On March 25, 2020, Mr. Lim filed a Claim against the City in the amount of $15,000 which is his estimated cost for the sewer lateral repair.
On May 4, 2020, the City received an email from Mr. Lim requesting the City to assist in the sewer lateral installation project, to avoid any sewer overflow that could be detrimental to the public health and safety.
The City continues to provide a high level of customer service for sewer lateral cleaning, repair, cleanout installation, and CCTV inspection.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact other than staff time for preparing this report. Depending on Council direction, staff will determine the fiscal impact and present a separate report at a future City Council meeting.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the Water & Sewer Department, City Attorney’s Office, and City Manager’s Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov>.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Staff makes no recommendation.
Staff
Reviewed by: Gary Welling, Director of Water and Sewer
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Email from Councilmember Chahal
2. Council Policy 30, Adding an Item on the Agenda
3. Councilmember Chahal additional documents