Laserfiche WebLink
MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />MARCH 25, 1992 <br />at that hearing the Council would consider whether or <br />not to order the improvement. The Engineer would then <br />need to design the project. It would be late summer or <br />early fall before the improvement would begin. <br />Rada indicated that water is a problem for the people <br />in the area since they are having a problem with their <br />wells and water quality is poor. <br />SEWER RATES The City Administrator reviewed information in the <br />Council's agenda packets regarding a proposed sewer <br />rate increase for apartment units. The Administrator <br />reported that the Council recently approved an increase <br />in the sewer rate from $1.70 per thousand gallons to <br />$1.85 for commercial accounts, and from $34 per quarter <br />to $37 per quarter for residential accounts. As part <br />of the City's recent audit, the auditor discovered <br />inconsistencies in the way sewer billings are being <br />handled. As part of a study of the system, the City <br />recently surveyed surrounding cities to determine how <br />they are billing sewer accounts. Five of the six <br />cities surveyed are charging a flat rate to apartment <br />units. Of those five, Roseville is charging apartment <br />units 66% of the residential rate, while Maplewood is <br />charging 80%, and Vadnais Heights, White Bear Lake and <br />Shoreview are charging 100%. <br />The Administrator reviewed a sewer rate analysis which <br />was prepared showing the effect of various rate <br />structures. The Administrator also pointed out that <br />staff looked at a comparison of the average usage of <br />apartment units and single-family residences, and found <br />apartment units average 68o usage compared to a <br />single-family home. <br />Therefore, staff's recommendation is that the sewer <br />rates for single-family homes remain at the 1991 rate, <br />that is, $34 per quarter, with apartment units being <br />charged 70% of that rate. The Administrator pointed <br />out that this comparison of usage was done during the <br />winter quarter, so there is no lawn waterinq involved <br />in the single-family home usage. Staff is recommending <br />that commercial accounts be charged $1.85 per thousand <br />gallons used. <br />The Administrator pointed out that while this is a <br />substantial increase to apartment units, it is the most <br />equitable. <br />Blesener pointed out that as a result of this analysis, <br />it is apparent that apartment units have been getting a <br />good deal for a number of years. <br />Page 13 <br />