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Residents press Mantorville council over property repairs and grinder-pump costs; city to seek timelines
Summary
Residents raised maintenance and drainage concerns about properties at 15 and 101 5th Street East, and homeowner Jason Fritz pressed the council over repeated grinder-pump repair costs on a 129 HWY 57 connection; council directed clerical follow-up and engineering review.
Two Mantorville residents pressed the council on separate property issues during the public-concerns portion of the June 9 meeting, prompting council directions for follow-up.
At 15 5th Street East, a resident identified as Ms. Faro reported an earlier electrical-box issue has been repaired but that siding replacement quotes were prohibitively high. Council suggested temporary boarding and painting and granted Ms. Faro an extension through Oct. 1 to complete repairs. She also reported that water flowing from the street toward the sidewalk is causing basement flooding; City Engineer Scott Huneke said he would speak with Public Works Lead Joe Adams to explore potential fixes.
Separately, the council discussed 101 5th Street East. The owner recently received a city letter and will contact Construction Management Services; council directed City Clerk-Treasurer Gretchen Lohrbach to send another letter requiring a repair timeline and the owner's presence at the next council meeting.
Homeowner Jason Fritz spoke about a grinder pump at 129 HWY 57 that ties into city sewer. Fritz said the septic system was out of compliance when he bought the home and that last year a repair cost about $2,000 and this year about $1,000. Fritz told the council he wants to know why he is being held responsible for these repairs while other residents receive water and sewer service, and said, "If it continues to cost me money, I will just go back to a mound septic system." City Engineer Scott Huneke responded that the pumps are generally robust, that pump life is approximately 20 years, and that a mound septic system would not be allowed because the property is connected to city sewer. Fritz asked for a council decision and requested follow-up from staff.
Council’s actions included granting Ms. Faro an extension until Oct. 1 to complete repairs and directing the clerk to send a follow-up letter to the owner of 101 5th Street East requiring a timeline and attendance at the next meeting. The record does not show a council decision changing the city’s policy on homeowner responsibility for grinder-pump repairs; Fritz’s request remained unresolved at the meeting.
