A. Compacting:
1. Backfilling in any street opened or excavated pursuant to an excavation permit issued hereunder shall be compacted to a degree equivalent to that of the undisturbed ground in which the trench was dug. Compacting shall be done by mechanical tappers or vibrators, by rolling in layers, or by water settling, as required by the soil in question and sound engineering practices generally recognized in the construction industry.
2. When water is taken from a hydrant, the permittee shall assign one person to operate the hydrant and shall make certain that said person has been instructed in the operation of the hydrant.
3. The city water department shall likewise be notified at both the beginning and end of the job so that the condition of the fire hydrants can be checked on both occasions. Any damage done to the hydrant during the excavation shall be the responsibility of the permittee.
4. Water shall be paid for by the permittee on the terms agreed upon with the city water department.
B. Water Settling:
1. When backfilling is to be done by water settling and before any compacting of the trenches is attempted, the permittee shall cause the loose material to be wetted by forcing a head of water of not less than thirty feet (30') in height, down into the soft material so that the end of the pipe is not more than three feet (3') above the bottom of the excavation. The permittee shall allow the water to run until the material is saturated as indicated by the water rising and running out on the surface of the ground around the pipe. After each hole has been saturated, the jet pipe shall be moved along the trench line a distance of approximately four (4) or five feet (5'), but in no case more than eight feet (8'), and the process repeated for the entire length of the backfill trench.
2. All work shall be done in such a manner as to obtain a relative compaction throughout the entire depth of the backfill of not less than existing adjacent to the excavation.
C. Dry Backfilling:
1. Backfilling up to the first eighteen inches (18") above the top of the utility pipes or similar installations shall be done with thin layers. Each layer is to be tamped by manual or mechanical means. Layers that are hand tamped shall not exceed four inches (4") in thickness. Layers that are power tamped shall not exceed six inches (6") in thickness. The same requirements shall apply to the remainder of the backfilling if tamping is the method used for backfilling. Backfilling of all pipes of over twenty four inches (24") in diameter shall be carried up to the spring line of the pipe in three inch (3") layers, with each layer moistened and thoroughly tamped with suitable mechanical equipment. The backfill around all pipes twenty four inches (24") or less in diameter shall be flooded or tamped as specified above to a depth of eighteen inches (18") above the top of the pipe before any additional backfilling is placed thereon.
2. Any deviation from the method set forth above shall have prior written approval of the city administrator or his designee.
D. Backfill Material: Whenever any excavation for the laying of pipe is made through rock, the pipe shall be laid six inches (6") above the rock bottom of the trench and the space under, around and six inches (6") above the pipe shall be backfilled with clean river sand, noncorrosive soil or one-fourth inch (1/4") minus gravel. Broken pavement, large stones, and debris shall not be used in the backfill.
E. Backfilling At Surface: Backfilling shall be completed by placing the backfill material well up over the top of the trench. For dry backfilling, the material shall be compacted with a roller of an approved type or with the rear of a truck carrying at least five (5) tons until the surface is unyielding. Care shall be taken that material being compacted has proper moisture content for maximum compactibility. The surface shall then be graded as required.
F. Restoration Of Surface:
1. The permittee shall restore the surface of all streets, broken into or damaged as a result of the excavation work, to its original condition in accordance with the specifications of the city administrator or his designee. The permittee may be required to place a temporary surface over openings made in paved traffic lanes. Except when the pavement is to be replaced before the opening of the cut to traffic, the fill above the bottom of the paving slab shall be made with suitable material well tamped into place, and this fill shall be topped with a minimum of at least one inch (1") of bituminous mixture which is suitable to maintain the opening in good condition until permanent restoration can be made. The crown of the temporary restoration shall not exceed one inch (1") above the adjoining pavement. The permittee shall exercise special care in making such temporary restorations and must maintain such restorations in safe traveling condition until such time as permanent restorations are made. The asphalt which is used shall be in accordance with the specifications of the city administrator or his designee. If, in the judgment of the city administrator or his designee, it is not expedient to replace the pavement over any cut or excavation made in the street upon completion of the work allowed under such permit by reason of the looseness of the earth or weather conditions, the city administrator or his designee may direct the permittee to lay a temporary pavement of wood or other suitable material designated by him over such cut or excavation to remain until such time as the repair of the original pavement may be properly made.
2. Permanent restoration of the street shall be made by the permittee in strict accordance with the specifications prescribed by the city administrator or his designee to restore the street to its original and proper condition, or as near as may be.
3. Acceptance or approval of any excavation work by the city administrator or his designee shall not prevent the city from asserting a claim against the permittee and its surety under the surety bond required hereunder for incomplete or defective work if discovered within twenty four (24) months from the completion of the excavation work. The city administrator's or his designee's presence during the performance of any excavation work shall not relieve the permittee of its responsibilities hereunder.
G. City's Right To Restore Surface; Permittee Liable For Costs:
1. If the permittee shall have failed to restore the surface of the street to its original and proper condition upon the expiration of the time fixed by such permit or failed to prosecute the work in accordance with the requirements of this chapter or shall otherwise have failed to complete the excavation work covered by such permit, the city administrator or his designee, if he deems it advisable, shall have the right to do all work and things necessary to restore the street and to complete the excavation work. The permittee shall be liable for the actual cost thereof and twenty five percent (25%) of such cost in addition for general overhead and administrative expenses. The city shall have a cause of action for all fees, expenses and amounts paid out and due it for such work, and the city shall also enforce its rights under the permittee's surety bond provided pursuant to this chapter.
2. It shall be the duty of the permittee to guarantee and maintain the site of the excavation work in the same condition it was prior to the excavation for two (2) years after restoring it to its original condition. (Ord. 751, 12-18-2000)