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A distraught resident came before the North Branch City Council Monday night, unable to afford repairs to her "collapsing" sewer service. Julie Burth said the line between her house in town and the sewermain under Highway 95 needs several thousand dollars' of work done, and she can't finance the project. She has checked with the county, but programs offering financial assistance in cases posing a health threat (sewer backup or loss of service) only pertain to individual septic systems. She added that the economic development council for Region 7E can offer no programs she qualifies for, and the HRA/EDA was of no assistance.

Mike Burth, parent, told council the huge project expense is mainly attributable to a city requirement to replace the "Y" connection at the the main, at the same time the failed sewer line is exposed and replaced. Burth said he thought this requirement, in city ordinances, was excessive.

The public works director explained that the "Y" is an important component and North Branch wrote this into code to "formally" notify homeowners facing this type of repair. The failure affecting Burth's line is too close to the "Y" connection to disregard, he added.

Council member John Philipsen asked if the city could front the repair expense and assess it back on property taxes over time, like municipal improvement projects are handled.

City Administrator Bridgitte Konrad said there is no statutory authority to assess this. It is comparable to if a home furnace failed and the homeowner lacked adequate finances-- she said the city would not do those repairs and put them on taxes.

The matter was unresolved as the family exited the council chambers.

In other business: the council heard the northwest ramp on the I-35 and Hwy. 95 interchange is probably going to shutdown around June 21. The ramp work will be timed so it happens after the big North Branch city celebration this coming weekend. Julie Dresel, city engineer, also informed council the handicap accessible pedestrian incline near the McDonald's corner of the project, that connects to the walkway atop the bridge, is being changed. She said if people see its removal they should not be concerned, its design is being revised. This is a MnDOT request and not a city expense.

Looking for ways to reduce the city budget in 2011 the council unanimously approved an early severance package that will be presented to all full-time staff.

The city will offer various incentives to staff who have been with the city at three "tiers" those with one to five years service, five to 10 and those who have worked 10-plus years. The employees will have until August 1 to determine if they'll take early severance or not.

Konrad said in a memo any savings will depend on how many staff and at what level the packages are accepted. The benefits/incentives include a payout of a percentage of gross salary and extended healthcare coverage, depending on longevity.

~ The council unanimously certified about $1,400 total on numerous parcels' tax rolls mostly for unpaid nuisance snow removal bills.

~ The Abundant Life Church is hosting fireworks for the Fourth of July, and council approved its portion of the agreement concerning the city, school district and church. The fireworks display is based at the North Branch High School.

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