05-08-2013 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES CITY COUNCIL MAY 8, 2013 quarter of 2013. The Superintendent noted that the comparisons since the new meter system has been installed have become more consistent which he believed was due to more accurate meter readings. The Superintendent noted that prior to the new meter system, most meter readings were done from remotes which likely under - registered water usage. With regard to under- registering remotes, the Superintendent reviewed the policy that the City adopted at the onset of the implementation of the new system. This policy addressed how property owners would be billed for under - registered water usage. He reported that the policy provides that properties with meters up to a 50,000 gallon discrepancy would be billed for the under - registered water usage and no additional charge for sewer. There were 49 properties that fell into this category. These properties were billed for the water usage, and the City has monitored the usage at these properties for a year to determine if additional water and /or sewer charges were necessary. The Superintendent reported that after a year of monitoring, there are 5 properties that have the potential to trigger additional charges as provided for in the under - registering meter policy. The Superintendent explained in detail the scenarios involved which include the potential for additional sewer only charges, water only charges, or water and sewer charges. The Superintendent recommended that given only 5 properties trigger the potential for additional charges under the policy, and given the dry third quarter of 2012, no additional charges be made. The Superintendent indicated that staff feels that the properties have been charged for an additional 50,000 gallons of water usage, that charge is sufficient. Blesener introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. 2013 -5 -85 — APPROVING CITY STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION RELATIVE TO DISCREPANCY METER READINGS FOR FIVE PROPERTIES THAT HAD UNDER - REGISTERING REMOTES AND NOT PURSUE ADDITIONAL BILLINGS AGAINST THESE PROPERTIES The foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Keis. Ayes (5). Nays (0). Resolution declared adopted. With regard to sewer rates, the Superintendent reported that the City received a call from a townhome resident relative to the City's policy to base annual sewer charges on first quarter water usage. The Superintendent indicated that first quarter water usage is typically at its lowest level and there would be no usage for lawn sprinkling. This resident indicated that she had higher usage than normal in the first quarter 10