Belleville council approves intergovernmental agreement with Saint Clair County for sewer study after indemnity clarification

The Belleville City Council on March 3 approved an intergovernmental agreement with Saint Clair County to fund a study of the city’s public sanitary sewer system after council members asked for clarification about an indemnification clause.

Why it matters: The study will examine the sanitary sewer system and is funded through a county-conveyed grant mechanism. Council members sought assurance that liability for any damage caused by study work would rest with the contractor performing the work, not with the county.

During the Master Sewer agenda item, Alderman Gentleman introduced the motion and a staff speaker identified as Garrett explained the indemnification language. Garrett said the indemnification provision “is in favor of the county because the county is simply the grantee. The county is not going to be performing the work. So the risk associated with damage...would be borne by the contractor.” Garrett added the city would ensure the contracted firm would not be absolved of liability and noted the contractor likely to perform the work is “Gonzales, who the city works with.”

Following that clarification councilors agreed they could consider the matter that evening without tabling. A motion to approve the intergovernmental agreement with the stipulation that damages to pipes would be covered by the third‑party contractor carried on roll call.

What the agreement does not specify in the meeting record: the exact contract amount, start and completion dates for the study, and the full insurance language were not read into the record; the council approved the agreement conditional on the contractor assuming liability, per the staff explanation.

Next steps: City staff will finalize the contractor agreement and insurance provisions consistent with the clarification given on the council floor, and proceed with the county-funded grant process for the study.