Claim Response, Asbell, Mary M.BARRY A. LINDAHL~ E~S'Q.
CORPORATION COUNSE~L, CITY OF DUBUQUE
MEMO
TO:
DATE:
Claimant
Mary M. Asbell
Mayor Terrance M. Duggan and
Members of the City Council
November 20, 2002
Claim Against the City By Mary M. Asbell
Date of Claim Date of Loss
11/07/02 09/25/02
Nature of Claim
Property Damage
This is a claim in which claimant states that her home at 230 East 15th Street sustained
water damage due to a collapsed or damaged sewer line.
According to the report of John Klostermann, Street/Sewer Maintenance Supervisor,
records indicate that the City of Dubuque Operations/Maintenance Department was
notified of a possible sewer problem at 6:30 p.m. on September 23, 2002. Ops and
Maintenance crew responded and found that the City's main line was plugged. Although
the line was not opened that night, pressure was relieved on the line and no further
damage occurred to Ms. Asbell's residence. The following day the line was cleaned and
inspected and debris buildup was removed. Additionally, the manhole and broken pipe on
East 14th Street was replaced.
Because records show that there has not been a history of problems with this line, it is
therefore the recommendation of John Klostermann to deny this claim due to lack of prior
knowledge. The Legal Department concurs with this recommendation.
BALAIs
CC:
Michael Van Milligen, City Manager
Jeanne Schneider, City Clerk
John Klostermann, Street/Sewer Maintenance Supervisor
Mary M. Asbell
SUITE 330, HARBOR VIEVV PLACE, 300 MAIN STREET DUBUQUE, IA 52001-6944
TELEPHONE (563) 583-4113 / FAX (563) 583-1040 / EMAIL BALESQ(~MVVCLNET
Operations and Maintenance Department
925 Kerper Boulevard
Dubuque, Iowa 52001-2338
(563) 589-4250 office
(563) 5892~252 fax
(563) 589-4193 TDD
ops&~naffit@cityo fclubuque.org
UB E
November 15, 2002
Barry Lindahl
Corporation Council
50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, IA 52004-4864
Dear Barry:
This letter will respond to the claim filed by Mary M. Asbell.
Our records show that we were notified of a possible sewer problem at 6:30pm on
September 23, 2002. When the crew arrived, they found that our main line was
plugged. The possible cause of the cloggage was build up of debri and grease due to a
broken pipe at the manhole at E14th Street. Although we were not able to open the line
that night, we were able to relieve the pressure on the line and no additional damage
occurred to Ms. Asbell's residence. The next day we cleaned and inspected the line
and removed the debris buildup. In addition, the manhole and broken pipe on E14th
Street has been replaced.
Our records show that we do not have a history of problems with this line. It is therefore
my recommendation to deny the claim due to the lack of prior knowledge.
If you need any additional information conceming this claim, please contact me.'
Sincerely,
Street/Sewer Maintenance Supervisor