Dan, a Scottsburg resident and property owner, told the Board of Public Works and Safety on Dec. 30 that his property has experienced repeated sewer backups for about two years and that "the trees needed to come out because the trees caused ... damage." He said crews temporarily cleared a blockage but the problem recurred on Thanksgiving Day when about 25 guests were at his home.

The board and staff described what they found in the field: roots had grown between a misaligned lateral and a city manhole, allowing roots to enter and block the line. A public works representative said crews cut and removed the root intrusion and plan to "hydraulically cement" or grout the junction to seal the connection. The chair stated the manhole is city property and that the city will maintain and repair the manhole and immediate junction point, but the board declined to replace the resident's entire private lateral to his house.

Dan argued the city originally installed the sewer in that area and urged a permanent remedy: "I'm asking you to fix the problem once and for all." Board members and staff said they understand the concern but raised legal and practical limits. The city attorney (unidentified in the transcript) was referenced when discussing whether the city may remove trees on private property; no authority to remove privately owned trees was confirmed in the meeting.

The discussion clarified lines of responsibility: staff repeatedly distinguished between the city-owned main/manhole (which the city will maintain) and individual property laterals (private responsibility unless there is an easement or recorded city acquisition). The chair said crews will grout the junction and "we will take care of it" at the manhole, but that removing trees on private property would require legal authority or owner permission.

Next steps noted in the meeting: crews already cleared roots and will perform the hydraulic grouting at the junction; the board did not direct a separate legal action to remove trees or to replace the resident's lateral. The resident said he will monitor the situation and expects the tree will eventually be cut if it continues to damage the infrastructure.

This item arose during public comment and staff discussion and no formal motion or vote was recorded in the transcript to change city policy or to authorize entry onto private property.