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Manassas Park to market voluntary service-line warranty; council restricts use of official seal
Summary
Council approved participating in a National League of Cities service-line warranty outreach while limiting use of the official city seal on marketing materials; the voluntary program is paid by property owners and provides contractor repair coverage up to $8,500 per claim.
The Manassas Park governing body on Jan. 14 heard an update on a voluntary Service Line Warranty Program coordinated by the National League of Cities and was briefed on marketing, liability and outreach plans.
Engineering Services Manager Alan Riley said the program covers private-side sanitary and water service repairs and is paid for by property owners at no cost to the city. He said the program’s contractor will perform repairs and that the homeowner would only be liable if a claim exceeded the program limit (he cited a per-claim limit of up to $8,500). “The National League of Cities program is getting ready to kick off,” Riley said; he added that public outreach will start in the next few weeks.
Council members raised concerns about how the program would be marketed and whether the city’s official seal should appear on materials. Some members worried that inclusion of the city seal could mislead residents into thinking the program is an official city service or obligation. Others argued the city has endorsed the program and that the city logo would help residents open outreach materials. Council reached a compromise: staff will permit use of city marketing materials and logos but not the official city seal, and materials will clearly state the program is voluntary and administered by the National League of Cities and its vendor.
Riley also said staff will direct residents to the Service Line Warranty vendor for claims and will post program information on the city’s website. He agreed to confirm whether existing residents who already subscribe to similar programs would receive program rates or credits and to follow up with that information.
The council recorded no financial obligation for the city and noted the program agreement is for three years with a renewal option.
