Minutes - Council - 12/11/1990 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Liekvo]l replaced the system in 1988. In talking with the PCA, he was told it is lucky that the original system lasted for more than 10 years, the average for that type of system. Mr. Dennis Liekvoil, 5803 153rd Avenue NW - stated he bought the house in 1974, lived by himself, and had no problem with his septic system until the road construction in 1976. One day during the project he came home and found the riser pipe off his second tank was gone. He said the cat operator came into his yard and ripped it off, though the operator denied it, and he contacted Mr. Goodrich the next day. About two years later a girl friend and four children moved In with him, and the septic system started acting up. He had a riser pipe put on the second tank, but still had instances of water and solids backing up into his basement destroying many things in the basement. Mr. Llekvol] stated when he had his system replaced, the contractor found a broken cover and collapsed wails in the tank. He showed the Council pictures of the area and the damage done. However, before he replaced the system, he tried having It pumped, which he had done five or six times within a 6-month period. Because he couldn't afford that, he bought a pump and pumped the system out himself until he could afford to replace the septic system. He submitted the bills to the insurance company, who would not pay for them stating they were not the insurers at the time the incident took place. That is why he went back to Mr. Goodrich and now to the City Council. The discussion continued, with Mr. Goodrich reviewing the inspections that were done and doumented by Staff, each time reporting there is no evidence of a drainfield or damage to the septic system. Mr. Liekvo]l stated the cat operator was very close to the dralnfield and did drive over the top of the tank, which was buried six feet, because the cover and sides of that tank were crushed. Mayor Relmann thought the City documents Indicate the City is not responsible. MOTION by Reimann, Seconded by Cich, that there is no claim. FURTHER DISCUSSION: Councilmember Peterson stated he observed the site this evening, and though he did not disagree wlth the liability Issue of the septic system, he did wonder about the disappearance of the vent to the tank and whether that would have caused enough damage. Mr. Jankowski stated after vlewing the parcel, he thought it Is credible that perhaps some damage was caused by the road construction; however, Mr. Liekvoll really did not have a problem until after five additional people lived in the house. There is some question as to how good the system was prior to the construction, recognizing that probably cannot be resolved. VOTE ON MOTION: Carried unanimously. CITY COUNCIL/DECEMBER 11, 1990 Page 6 of 17