HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2014-10-15 @6:31 SPECIAL MEETITI�G
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL
OF THE
0 CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
P.O. Box 711 (City Hall, 400 Grand Avenue)
South San Francisco, California 94083
Meeting to be held at:
MT JNICIPAL SERVICES BUILDING
Council Chambers
33 ARROYO DRIVE
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2.014
6:31 P.M.
Purpose of the meeting:
1. Call to Order. TIME: 6:33 P.M.
2. Roll Call. PRESENT: Councilmembers Addiego,
Gupta, and Normandy, Vice
Mayor Garbarino and Mayor
Matsumoto.
ABSENT: None.
3. Public Comments—comments are limited to items on the Special Meeting
None. Agenda.
4. Agenda Review
No changes.
S. Study Session: Overview of sewer lateral connection conditions and options
for City assistance to address lateral connection defects. (Brian McMinn,
Director of Public Works/City Engineer)
Public Works Director Brian McMinn presented staff repoi t and displayed power point presentation
that detailed the problems that had been identified with sewer lateral connections. Potentially 600
lateral repairs that would need to be done by the resident and over 1200 laterals that would need to
be repaired by the City. Costs were given in the range of$9 to $14.4 million. Because of the
numerous negative consequences associated with faulty sewer lateral connections, a sustainable
lateral program was recommended.The City can compel repairs to defective lateral connections, but
options for assistance are not currently available. Staff is recommending a pilot sewer lateral
assistance program to include up to $60,000 in General Fund dollars per year for homeowner
assistance. Elements of the program could include: $500,000 in Sewer Enterprise Fund dollars for
sewer main rehabilitation, $60,000 in General Fund dollars for owner assistance annually,up to
$2,500 in assistance for all homeowners,up to $5,000 in assistance for low income households,
an option for homeowners to participate in a competitively bid,multi-lateral repair contract, and
City abatement and lien ofproperties in the case offion-responsive homeowners.Other agencies that
have similar programs include Millbrae, Hillsborough, San Bruno, San Mateo, West Valley
Sanitation and West Bay Sanitation.
Councilmember Gupta felt the program was worthwhile and sought clarification on the inspection
process and status of the laterals when they were put in. He also asked if there would be inspections
in place to prevent the possibility of this happening in new construction.
Director McMinn stated visual inspections from the outside had been conducted. The issues being
seen were with the grouting material,which could deteriorate over time. Today's laterals are factory
produced fittings and did not present the same opportunity for disconnection at the main or
protrusion into the main.
Vice Mayor Garbarino voiced support for the program and thought it should be reinstated.
Councilmember Addiego was agreeable to a pilot program, though he felt a pilot had already been
conducted. He asked if sewer lateral repairs could fall under the qualifications for assistance fi-om
the PACE program and suggested staff look at other low interest loan programs that would allow the
City to ratchet down the assistance it provided from 50 to 25 percent. He also asked if the 600
laterals already identified revealed a particular neighborhood,if so,perhaps the enterprise fund could
be a funding source.
City Manager Futrell noted that the PACE program generally covers energy efficiency upgrades but
staff could look into whether or not sewer laterals would qualify.
Director McMinn stated the 600 figure was based on the rate of discovery and that it had been the
case that a portion of them had been identified in the older neighborhoods. It could not be told yet,
but it may come to be that the laterals in need of repair are clustered.
Mayor Matsumoto asked if implementing the program would be looked upon favorably by the San
Francisco Baykeeper.
Director McMinn responded that having an on-going program was better than having nothing at all.
Assistant City Attorney Rosenberg stated their overall goal was to reduce sanitary overflow, so this
would be favorable.
City Manager Futrell summarized Council's direction as finding the program acceptable with the
caveat of looking into additional funding through the PACE program or other low interest loans.
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETrNG NOVEMBER 14,2012
MFNUTES PAGE
6. Adjournment.
Being no further business, Mayor Matsumoto adjourned the meeting at 6:56 p.m.
Submitted: App sued:
Anna M. Brown, ary su�raoto,
Deputy City Clerk Mayor
City of South San Francisco City of South San Francisco
SPECIAL CITE'COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 14,2012
MINUTES PAGE 2