McMinnville officials are flushed with requests for financial assistance for sanitary sewer cleanup.

Park Avenue residents Tim and Teri Majors have asked the city’s Water and Wastewater Committee to assist in the financial burden of cleaning their basement after a sewer line backup April 8. While a list of damages was not provided, Mr. Majors said the expense is currently at $3,800.

McMinnville Water Department director Anthony Pelham did not dispute the incident. 

“The sewer was definitely backing up into the house into the basement itself,” said Pelham. “We removed the cleanout cap and it discharged into the yard. From there, we went back and verified with Mr. and Mrs. Majors that yes, it was coming through the shower and commode into the basement area.”

The cause for the blockage is unknown. 

“We did not find or capture what the blockage was, but it was dislodged,” said Pelham. “The flow was opened. Everything was immediately drained that was backing up into that house. It had to be downstream from their service, but upstream of the next connection. Otherwise, it would have been in multiple homes. We do not have a reason for the blockage.”

A report was filed and a claim submitted to the department’s insurance provider, Public Entity Partners. However, that claim was denied because “the circumstances do not represent legal liability on the part of our insured.”  

Mr. Majors thanked the department for its quick response that day.

“You did respond very promptly and we’re thankful for that,” said Mr. Majors. “I have no complaints on that end whatsoever. My wife said that the employees who came in said ‘This is 100 percent on us, have it professionally cleaned, we’ll take care of it.’ Well, I had raw sewage on my floor for four days. They told me I couldn’t touch it, and I had to have it professionally cleaned. Now, they are telling me they’re not responsible. I’m $3,800 in. I still don’t have a bathroom. It’s cleaned, but not put together.” 

City attorney Tim Pirtle requested an itemized list of damages.

The couple agreed.

This is the third request for financial assistance in the last year. In 2018, the city paid $17,353 to ServePro to clean the basement of Mt. Leo Church of Christ after sewer backed up into its basement. Earlier this year, officials agreed to pay $2,613 to Morrison Street homeowners Keith and Alison Martin for damages that incurred when sewer backed up into their basement. Both those claims were denied by the city’s insurance provider.

Alderman Kate Alsbrook said Mayor Ben Newman has asked the committee to consider a policy.

“The mayor did request that we take some time and come up with a policy on how we are going to handle situations like this, since it is the third one we’ve had within a year,” said Alsbrook.

Alderman Rachel Kirby said, “Basically, it comes down to good will.”

“Yes,” said Alsbrook. 

Pirtle will begin working on a policy for committee scrutiny. The Majors situation will be back under consideration after an itemized list has been received.