Clarendon Aldermen approved a settlement last week related to damages to the home of a local couple from a sewer backup.
City Administrator David Dockery presented the settlement at the February 23 City Council meeting and said the agreement, which was accepted by B.J. and Jennie Owens and their attorney, maintains that there is no acceptance of responsibility or blame by the city.
The city will pay the Owens $6,700, and the Owens will indemnify the city of any future claims, according to the settlement.
“This is just to help the Owens’ with their damages,” Dockery said. “The city still maintains it was not liable in this case.”
A downpour on August 29 caused the city’s sewer line to back up inside the Owens’ Third Street home. The couple’s homeowner’s insurance denied their claim, and the city’s insurance also denied a claim touting the city’s sovereign immunity in the case.
In other city business, Dockery reported on code enforcement efforts and said condemnation was moving forward on a Sully Street residence and that the owner was planning to move the structure. He also said an Eighth Street property being targeted for code issues has now sold and the new owner is preparing to make improvements.
Dockery also updated the council on the status of a $3.9 million water infrastructure improvement project. Plans are expected to be completed by March 1 and will then be reviewed by USDA, which is providing financing for the job.
If all goes well, Dockery said it will take about a year to get everything approved, financed, and bid before construction can begin. Once the project gets underway a year from now, it will likely take three years to complete.
“Everyone will be affected all over town,” Dockery said, “but everyone will benefit.”
Dockery praised Public Works Director John Molder for his assistance in planning for the USDA project, saying it would have been very difficult for the city to take this project on without his help.
“In addition to 20-plus years’ experience with the city, he also has photographs of many projects the city has done over the years,” Dockery said. “So when his memory isn’t quite photographic, he has actual pictures to show what was done.”
The administrator also reviewed the city’s financial condition in terms of paying off its current debt for street paving and water improvements. Those bonds and tax notes will be paid for in 2019 at which time the city could begin to plan for another paving project. However, Dockery said no new paving would be undertaken until the USDA project is finished, which will likely be in 2021.
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