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2. MSD flood issues. <br />City Manager introduced Jeffrey Theerman, Executive Director of MSD. <br />Mr. Theerman stated that MSD agreed to come back to give an update as to <br />what has been going on with MSD’s efforts with River DesPeres in University <br />City. As of October 10, MSD has received almost 8,000 calls related to the 100 <br />year storm event. From University City alone, MSD has received 547 calls, of <br />which 465 were basement backup related. Since the flood, Mr. Theerman stated <br />that MSD crews have covered River DesPeres to determine any blockage. Any <br />blockage found was removed but said to be minor and would not have caused <br />the flooding. MSD completed repairs of all known sewage spills and broken <br />pipes that occurred from the event. In the coming weeks, MSD is to do sanitary <br />sewer cleaning as needed. Mr. Theerman said the only true assistance for flood <br />victims will be from the Federal and State level. He said that MSD has been in <br />contact with the local, state and federal representatives, the Mayor of St. Louis, <br />the St. Louis County Executive and continue to press for FEMA’s assistance. Mr. <br />Theerman stated that MSD does not cover overland flooding and have sent <br />approximately 1500 to 1700 denials. The denials have a right to appeal within <br />thirty days from the receipt of the letter. Mr. Theerman said a question came up <br />about ownership of River DesPeres and he stated MSD does not own River Des <br />Peres on the northern reach but does own parts to the south by Forest Park. On <br />the northern part, MSD has easement rights to the creek but is owned by <br />individual homeowners adjacent to the creek. The issue of flooding will continue <br />to exist as we move forward and is not a failure of maintenance or design. In <br />moving forward it will have to be a partnership between municipalities, the district <br />and those who have jurisdiction over creeks, as the Department of Engineers <br />and the Department of Natural Resources. <br />Mr. Glickert asked that because of the enormity of the flood, if MSD gave any <br />consideration of extending the thirty day window of the claims processes? Mr. <br />Theerman said it was govern by district policy and their over insurance and could <br />not do it. District self-insures up to 6.5 million dollars and carries an outside <br />insurance policy for anything over that amount. He said the thirty day window <br />only required the resident to call and get their name on MSD’s list of basement <br />backups. Mr. Glickert asked who owns the creek if not owned by MSD. Mr. <br />Theerman stated the creek is owned by a number of property owners along it, <br />MSD only owns the easement, as it also does with the sewer line pipes. <br />Mr. Price told MSD that he has never heard of an insurance claim having a thirty <br />day window in which to submit a claim. Mr. Theerman said the thirty days was <br />not a time limit on which to submit a claim but rather just to give MSD a name for <br />their list having a sewer backup. Mr. Price stated that flood victims did not find <br />out about this thirty day window until four days prior to the deadline. No one from <br />MSD ever stated this time limit at the previous Council meeting in which MSD <br />was present. Mr. Theerman said it was an oversight. <br />Ms. Ricci stated that MSD’s corporate claims form has no dates mentioned as to <br />a claim’s deadline date. She referred Mr. Theerman to MSD letters from 1999 <br />which stated that MSD has management responsibility for storm water and <br />sanitary systems within its boundaries. MSD is responsible for the line and <br />separate sewer systems within its boundaries, which encompasses 524 square <br /> <br />