Title
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An Ordinance Amending Chapter 26 (“Water”) Article 7 (“Sewer Connections”) of the Oak Park Village Code Regarding Repairs from Curb Line to Connection with Street Sewer Mains.
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Introduction
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This is an amendment to the ordinance pertaining to sewer connections in an effort to clarify the language and codify the existing practices of the Water & Sewer Division.
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Recommended Action
Adopt the Ordinance.
Prior Board Action
There is no prior Board action associated with this item.
Background
To address recent complaints, the Water and Sewer Division seeks to clarify the criteria used to determine when the Village will repair the public portion of a sewer lateral. Residents have expressed that the existing Sewer Connections Ordinance does not clearly outline the process or responsibilities, leading to confusion about how eligibility for Village repair is established. Staff therefore recommend updating the Ordinance language to reflect the Division’s established October 2021 standard operating procedure.
Under current practice, the Village’s determination of responsibility relies on two factors: the information provided by a licensed plumber and the verified location of the obstruction-specifically, whether the blockage is situated on the private or public side of the sewer lateral. Because property owners are responsible for rodding the private portion of the line from the building to the point of connection with the sewer main, the initial tracing must follow the private plumber’s rod. A representative of the Water and Sewer Division must be present during this inspection to confirm the location of the obstruction and accurately determine responsibility.
Appointments for these inspections must be scheduled during normal business hours. Water and Sewer Division staff will only respond after hours or on weekends when the sewer lateral is actively backed up, and immediate action is required.
Timing Considerations
There are no specific timing considerations associated with this item; however, due to the weather this spring and summer, there have been several inquiries into how the Village assesses financial responsibility for sewer lateral repairs. The Village would like to make the language in the existing ordinance clearer in order to avoid confusion and save residents time and money when they believe an issue may exist on the public side of the sewer lateral.
Financial Impact
There is no budget impact associated with this item.
Operations Impact
There is no operating impact associated with this item. The item aligns with the Public Works Department’s core service delivery, and adjusting the language in the ordinance simply removes confusion for residents on the appropriate procedure for sewer lateral repair requests.
DEI Impact
There is no DEI impact associated with this item.
Community Input
There has been no community input given in relation to this item.
Staff Recommendation
Adopt the Ordinance.
Advantages:
• Resolve confusion surrounding the appropriate avenues to take to have the public side of the sewer lateral repaired.
Disadvantages:
• There are no disadvantages to adopting the Ordinance.
Alternatives
Alternative 1:
The Board can delay action to gain further information.
Advantages:
• By delaying action, the Village Board will have ample time to gain the additional information requested.
Disadvantages:
• Confusion surrounding the appropriate avenues to take to have the public side of a sewer lateral repaired will exist until the ordinance is amended.
Alternative 2:
The Village Board can elect not to approve the Ordinance amendment.
Advantages:
• There are no advantages to not approving the Ordinance amendment.
Disadvantages:
• Confusion surrounding the appropriate avenues to take the public side of a sewer lateral repair will continue to persist.
Anticipated Future Actions
There are no anticipated future actions in relation to this item.
Prepared By: Erin Duffy, Deputy Public Works Director
Reviewed By: Rob Sproule, Public Works Director
Approved By: Kevin J. Jackson, Village Manager
Attachment(s):
1. Ordinance