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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION <br />APPROVED <br />180 <br />181 Councilmember Ruhland noted that he has a new client that works for Lennar and he <br />182 wonders if he should recuse himself. Administrator Karlson said if that person has no <br />183 fiduciary responsibility there is no conflict. <br />184 <br />185 Mayor Rafferty indicated that this matter will be coming forward to the council at the end <br />186 of April and Councilmembers should feel free to contact staff for more information in the <br />187 meantime. <br />188 <br />189 4. Utility Late Fees — Finance Director Cotton explained that she is requesting that <br />190 the council consider temporarily suspending utility late fees. The City has received a <br />191 number of calls from residents who are looking at financial hardships and who are asking <br />192 what will happen if they don't pay their bills. The late fee is 10% of charges. She <br />193 explained that there would be a revenue impact to the City. She is recommending the <br />194 suspension for a period of three months. <br />195 <br />196 Mayor Rafferty asked for an explanation of what happens when the bills come due. Ms. <br />197 Cotton reviewed the billing process — if the quarterly bill isn't paid, the next quarterly bill <br />198 would only be the amount due. If another quarterly period passes with no payment, the <br />199 10% late charge would be added. An extension to the late charge suspension could be <br />200 considered in the future as needed. Mayor Rafferty indicated he is supportive of the <br />201 change. <br />202 <br />203 Councilmember Cavegn asked if the grace period would be for the current time or future <br />204 and Ms. Cotton said it would cover anyone having a bill due from the end of March <br />205 through May. Councilmember Cavegn asked how this will be advertised (web, <br />206 mailing?). Ms. Cotton indicated that she wanted to get council input and, if authorized to <br />207 proceed, would add information to the website. <br />208 <br />209 Councilmember Stoesz noted that fees are in the City fee schedule; would this require an <br />210 ordinance change? Ms. Cotton said that she has administrative authority to waive late <br />211 fees. When Councilmember Stoesz asked about a permanent reduction in the late <br />212 charge, Ms. Cotton noted that the yearly revenue impact would be substantial. <br />213 Councilmember Stoesz supports the change. <br />214 <br />215 The council concurred with the staff recommendation. <br />216 <br />217 5. Bond Issuance for Water Tower No. 3 — Finance Director Cotton and Terri <br />218 Heaton of Baker Tilly reported. A PowerPoint presentation was reviewed that included <br />219 information on the Water Tower No. 3 project financing: <br />220 <br />221 - How a bond sale is conducted (in preparation of this one); <br />222 -Nuances related to current pandemic emergency situation; <br />223 - Water Tower (project information); <br />224 - Financing would be repaid by trunk utility fees over 15 years; <br />5 <br />