02-22-2021 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION DRAFT 4 so they can make the settings as they chose and wouldn’t need to remove the equipment 134 for a change in preferences. 135 136 Councilmember Ruhland asked how long the City of Hugo has had the program and Mr. 137 Nelson said it’s been two years (they’ve sold approximately 100 units and have 150 left). 138 Councilmember Ruhland also asked what’s to stop a person from buying the units at this 139 discount and selling them for a profit; Mr. Nelson said the program allows for the City to 140 check and ensure equipment is being used. 141 142 Councilmember Stoesz expressed concern that the City may be competing with private 143 retailers who would be selling this equipment. 144 145 Councilmember Lyden remarked that he has questions about the program. He sees it 146 differently than as used for City property. 147 148 City Administrator Cotton remarked that, from a utility billing perspective, she has seen 149 bills that indicate people have programs that run the same amount of water year after 150 year, never taking into consideration the type of control offered by this program 151 equipment that would save water and costs. 152 153 Mr. Nelson noted that the number one water usage in the city is irrigation and 154 communicating to the residents on the matter can be very effective. This program would 155 be an additional tool. He noted that if every household in the City were hooked up, the 156 water savings could be 20 percent across the board. Although technology changes, this 157 is the best equipment available now. 158 159 Councilmember Cavegn said he’s in support of the program and he’s aware that the 160 technology has been around for a while and is tested. He likes the long term benefits. 161 162 Councilmember Ruhland said he agrees with much of what Councilmember Cavegn has 163 said; he is in favor of the program. 164 165 Councilmember Stoesz remarked that infrastructure requires internet connection and that 166 could be an issue for some people. He is opposed to the program; he will probably be 167 purchasing a system on his own and thinks that communication is the best way to handle 168 conservation. 169 170 Mayor Rafferty remarked that he understands remarks heard on both sides of the matter. 171 But he knows that water conservation is an important issue to the City. If this starts to 172 spread the word, all the better. There is subsidy of the City involved so there will be 173 scrutiny but you still have to solve problems. 174 175 Councilmember Lyden asked if the City could provide the equipment paid through utility 176 billing. 177 178