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Mrs. Conrad, 25360 Becky Lane, addressed the Council with the history of sewer problems on their property. She noted that seven years ago there had been a sewer backup which their insurance company had paid for ($6,000) and last February there had been another incident paid for by their insurance company. In March another sewer backup occurred at which time the City of Los Altos responded by removing the root blockage in the mainline sanitary sewer. The Town immediately authorized the clean up and restoration of the damaged part of the Comads' home at a cost to the Town of $11,000. Mrs. Conrad thanked the Town staff for responding so quickly to their problem but also stated that she and her husband were very anxious to reach a solution which would prevent the problem from happening again. They did not agree with the option of them being responsible for the maintenance of the backflow preventer. They actually had no idea how to conduct such maintenance. She further commented that they would have to disclose such sewer problems at time of sale of their home, if and when they decided to sell, and this certainly would have a negative impact on the value of their property. The City Manager, City Attorney and Public Works Manager supported the recommendation that the Comads maintain the the back flow preventer. They expressed concern about potential liability in the future and logistical problems if the Town were to maintain the equipment. Johnson noted that the problem occurred in the main sewer line which was not on the Comads' property and he questioned whether there was not another solution. He mentioned a continuous seal plastic pipe with no backflow preventer. Hubbard cautioned against this precendent setting situation of assuming responsibility for private property sewer situations. He believed the owners should be responsible. Casey commented that this was a public easement and was therefore not concerned about liability. She was much more concerned about the thousands of dollars being paid to correct these sewer problems. She did not believe the Comads should have to pay since it was not the lateral which had broken down. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Johnson, seconded by Casey and passed unanimously by all members present to direct staff to arrive at a solution to the Comad's sewer problem which would eliminate the root problem. This may or may not include a continuous seal plastic pipe. PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To continue to offer to install a backflow preventer on the Comads' property if they agree to maintain it. 6. NEW BUSINESS 6.1 FY 97-98 Goals and Objectives — Second Quarter Status Council thanked the City Manager for his well done status report on FY97-98 Goals and Objectives. 6.2 Request from the Alpha Omega Program to use St. Nicholas School — June 13, 1998 - July 11, 1998 MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Casey, seconded by Johnson and passed unanimously by all members present to approve the request from the Alpha Omega Program to use St. Nicholas School from June 13, 1998 for their program participants. 7. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES, SUB -COMMITTEES, AND COUNCILMEMBERS l ON OUTSIDE AGENCIES January 21, 1998 Regular City Council Meeting