HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/21/2026 Item 7b, Summer
Jimmy Summer <
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:City Council Meeting 4/21/26 - Item 7.b Private Sewer Laterals
Hello,
I would like to voice my support for staff's recommendation on Item 7.b for the dissolution of the
mandatory wastewater flow offset program and the updated required replacement or repair of failed and
poor rated private sewer laterals within six months of the time of sale of the property.
The previous sewer lateral offset program was created to fight a major health and safety issue of keeping
sewage out of our creeks. Failing private laterals were letting in stormwater during major rain events
which overwhelmed the sewer plant causing spills and fines, making this a problem that affects all rate
payers in the city. Stormwater intrusion into the sewer system is a large reason why the city had to carry
out its largest Capital Improvement Project in history with the upgrades to the Water Resource Recovery
Facility. However, the prior program was burdening new development by forcing it to pay for a problem
that it did not create, rather than targeting the main issue of replacing existing failing laterals. I know
many homeowners and developers who decided not to build new units or ADU's on their property, adding
much needed housing supply, because they did not want to deal with the complexity and cost of the
lateral offset program.
The updated program that staff is recommending is fair and will continue the important work of keeping
stormwater out of our sewer system. It forces the homeowner with the problem to fix it, but does it gently
by giving them 6 months after completion of sale. This allows buyers and sellers to factor in the cost of
replacing a failing sewer lateral into the home price, while giving them time to complete replacement so
that it does not hold up escrow. When private homeowners' laterals fail, it doesn't just affect their
property but the entire city. This new program will ensure that individuals' actions do not become the
burden of the rest of the city's rate payers.
Thank you,
Jimmy Summer
Director of Entitlements jsummer@covelop.net
Bus: 805.781.3133 Cell: 805.441.5289
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