04-11-2023 WS City Council Agenda W O R K S E S S IO N
R IC H F IE L D MU N IC IPAL C E N TE R, B AR TH O LO ME W R O O M
AP R IL 11, 2023
6:30 P M
C all to order
1.P ublic Works A dministrative A nalyst, S cott K ulzer, will briefly present the framework for a proposed program that
would allow Richfield property owners to have charges resulting from the repair or replacement of private
sanitary sewer service lines applied to the parcel's property taxes via special assessment.
A djournment
Auxiliary aids for individuals with disabilities are available upon request. Requests must be made at least 96
hours in advance to the City Clerk at 612-861-9739.
AGENDA SECTION:Work Session Items
AGENDA ITEM #1.
WORK S E S S ION STAFF RE P ORT NO. 11
WORK SESSION
4/11/2023
RE P O RT P RE PA RE D B Y: S cott K ulzer, A dministrative A nalyst
D E PA RTME NT D IRE C TO R RE V IE W: K ristin A sher, P ublic Works D irector
4/4/2023
O THE R D E PA RTM E NT RE V IE W: N/A
C ITY MA NA G E R RE V IE W: K atie Rodriguez, C ity Manager
4/4/2023
I T E M F O R WO RK S E S S IO N:
Public Works Administrative Analyst, Scott Kulzer, will briefly present the framework for a proposed
program that would allow Richfield property owners to have charges resulting from the repair or
replacement of private sanitary sewer service lines applied to the parcel's property taxes via special
assessment.
E X E C UT IV E S UM M ARY:
Most sanitary sewer service lines in Richfield are original to the initial build-out of the City's sanitary
sewer system in the early 1960's and are becoming more prone to failure with the passing of time.
Property owners are responsible to maintain their sanitary sewer service line in a proper working order.
This proposed program aims to help property owners in the event of a sanitary sewer service line
failure requiring repair or full or partial replacement anywhere between the private structure to the
connection with the sanitary sewer main in the street.
As the sanitary sewer service lines age they can crack, break, shift, collapse or become victim to root
intrusion which results in the need for repair or full or partial replacement.
Costs for repair or replacement fall wholly on the property owner and can approach or exceed $10,000
depending on the severity of the problem.
The City has the authority, financial capacity, and desire to assist property owners with costs
associated with sewer emergencies by paying for the initial sewer repair or replacement and then
recouping the entire cost over a 5-year period via special assessment plus 5% interest annually on the
remaining balance until the City is made whole.
This program will be designed and administered in the same fashion as the City's Diseased/Hazardous
Tree Special Assessment Program and is not expected to create much additional work for staff.
D IRE C T I O N NE E D E D:
Staff seeks to provide information, answer questions, and be directed by City Council to either
implement or abandon the proposed sanitary sewer service line special assessment program.
B AC K G RO UND INF O RM AT I O N:
A.H IS TOR IC AL C ON T E X T
See executive summary.
B.P OL IC IE S (resolutions, ordinances, regulations, statutes, etc):
Richfield Municipal Code 700.03, subd. 2 states that "Houses, buildings, or properties used for
human occupancy, employment, recreation or other purpose, situated within the City, shall
connect with and use public sanitary sewers."
A failed or deficient sanitary sewer service line if not promptly repaired can be considered a
violation of the above ordinance and is cause for enforcement action up to and including the
structure being deemed uninhabitable.
C.C R IT IC AL T IMIN G IS S U E S:
I f the direction is given to formalize and implement this program, it is anticipated property owners could
begin using the program in Summer 2023 with the first assessments being certified to the Hennepin
County tax rolls in Fall 2024.
D.F IN AN C IAL IMPAC T:
There will be initial costs incurred for the repair or replacement costs as the City absorbs the
initial expenses, however, the City will recoup all these costs plus 5% interest over time.
Once the first program users begin to satisfy their repayment obligations to the City after 5 years,
the program will operate much like a revolving line of credit with new users drawing on the account
as prior users repay their debts back into the fund.
E.L E GAL C ON S ID E R AT ION:
I f the direction is given to formalize and implement this program, staff will work with the City
Attorney to ensure all legal obligations are met in the program design.
Adoption of a new or revised ordinance(s) may be required by City Council prior to the start of
this program.
ALTE R N AT IV E(S):
None
P R IN C IPAL PAR TIE S E X P E C TE D AT ME E TIN G:
None