Alice Pickering
Wyoming Area ReporterThe League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust will re-examine the entire claim made by Wyoming residents John Clifford and Chuck Yetter for damage to their homes due to a sewer backup.
City Administrator Jill Teetzel brought the late news to the Wyoming City Council Monday night.
Doug Gronli, claims manager for the LMCIT, apologized on behalf of the League, that the issue of disputed claim had been raised at the council meeting Sept. 20.
Gronli notified Teetzel that the entire claim is being re-examined. Clifford and Yetter will also be notified of the status of the investigation.
ìThis is the first time this (an apology from the League) has happened,î Mayor Vern Haag said. The League is acknowledging responsibility for handling the dispute, he added.
CM Lynn Koalska relayed a comment complimenting the council on its patience and ìreadiness to address the issue.î
A decision about an insurance claim to cover the cost of damage and cleanup to the homes of Clifford and Yetter was tabled at the council meeting Sept 20. As requested they brought additional information about the incident, thought not to have been considered in the claim, to city offices.
On Sept. 30, Administrator Teetzel, City Attorney Tom Miller, Maintenance Supervisor Bill Eisenmenger, and city worker Jason Windingstad met with Mike Munson, claims adjuster for the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust.
The cityís reports and the additional information provided by Yetter and Clifford, was given to Munson.
Teetzelís written report said ìWe specifically asked Mr. Munson if, based upon all information and review currently available, if the LMCIT would change its position on the denial of his claim.î
Munson had reviewed information to see if the city was negligent. ìMr. Munson found no negligence by the city as to either issue,î Teetzel wrote in her report.
The city lift station failed because of a power failure. The alarm system also failed because it had the same power source.
No residential power was affected so the failure to the lift station went unnoticed until sewage began to back up in the two homes.
The city learned from Braun Pump Company that battery backup is only installed on about two percent of lift stations they install. Many older lift stations have no provision for battery backup or wiring for generators.
Koalska, a city representative on the Joint Sewer Commission, said many of the older lift stations do not have room on control panels for back-up. New lift stations in the regional system will likely have telemetry backup.
Telemetry is more expensive and breakdowns are still possible, though much less likely. Although even that can fail if there is a power outage.
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