02-10-82 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINU'1'ES City Council February ].0, 1982 19~2 Sewer Mr,F'orsberg commented that he would like to table action on the 1982 And Water sewer and water budget for 30 days. Mrs. Scalze asked if the Council ]3udget could do this, Mr. Aanson commented that ne was not opposed to acting on the budget~ but felt the Council should determine if tnere is a need to increase the water raties beyond vrhat the City of St. Paul is charging I,ittle Canada for water, Nir. Forsberg stated that he wants to £ind out where the City~s 9 million gallon water loss went before he acts on the budget. Forsberg stated that he would like an above and below ground water audit of' tne City~s system, Mrs. Scalze asked i£ this cou.l.d be done in 30 days, 'Pne l;lerK reported that such an audit could take o montcis. Nirs. 5calze pointed out that the budget must be completed in 30 days. Y~rs. Scalze stated that she agreed that the City must £ind out where its water loss is going~ but at the same time~ the budget must be acted on. Nfr. F'orsberg stated that he does not like padding the sewer and water budget to pay i'or other things. Ntr, Hanson replied that it is merely a bookiceeping transaction because sewer and water are revenue producing accounts and it is the logical place to cnarge auxiliary costs to these funds. Hanson stated that the City does not produce enough revenue in other areas to pay expenses for such things as electricity Yor example. Mr. Faney commentea that there was only a 3~ surplus in last year~s budget and did not £eel the current budget shouid be cut, Forsberg questioned who was going to pay i'or the 9 million galions oi' water that were lost, Forsberg a:l.so questiioned increasing the water rate because of this loss. Mrs. Scalze pointed out that the osx'ice staff must xnow wnai rates are going to be charged on tne April billings. Mr, Hanson questioned iz' ttze main meter £rom the City o£ St. Ysul to Little Canada could be off. Mr. Glanzer statea tnat tne Utility Department aoes spot checks to ensure tnat tne meters are accurate, t~lanzer stated tnat the main meter from St. Pau]. could be ofY ana tnat the City oY Sti. Yaul is currentiy cnecxing the meter. Ulanzer stated traa.t in December oi' 1981 as much water was used as in June oi' 1y81, Mr. Glanzer statea tnat tne City normally has a 2 i/2 to 3 1/2 million gaiion water loss, tneres'ore tinere is aeout b miltion gallons ox ioss above the average. Mr, Glanzer stated that tne Citiy wyll have a sewer aua~L tihis Spring and tnis could indicate ir tne'City is losing water down tne sewer. Metiro 5ewer wa.ll pay ior about 90°6 of tnis audit and tne City wi11 picx up tne rema~naer oi tne cost. The cost to the City could be about $3~500 to $5,UUU, i~tr, uianzer suggestea ctaati the City do everycuing possioie tio i'~na tne water loss before tne City cai~.a ior a water audit. Page -].3-