02/26/2001 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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COUNCIL MINUTES FEBRUARY 26, 2001 Centerville, Blaine, Andover, Ramsey, Shoreview and Lexington. Other cities do have a flat rate and • some do have user combination fees. Ms. Gooden stated the City's flat rate is higher than other communities. The fee is not fair to those who have low usage. Council Member Reinert inquired about the other cities Ms. Gooden researched. Ms. Gooden reviewed the rates she researched in the cities of Eden Prairie, Shoreview, New Brighton and Circle Pines. Council Member Carlson moved to close the public hearing at 6:48 p.m. Council Member O'Donnell seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Council Member Reinert moved to continue Resolution No. 01— 05 . � o. 01-19, Proposed Utility Rates for 2001 — 2003 until the next Council meeting. Council Member O'Donnell stated staff needs direction if th e s to . He stated a sliding scale may be a good idea. He asked for information on a slidin c . d i> ' impact of that option. Finance Director Al Rolek stated one rationale for a City water, some are connected only to sewer. T sure what the percentage of people is within the stated he does know that there are a lot of r that not all the houses are connected to coulmeter if necessary. He stated he is not are hooked up to water and sewer. He e not hooked up to both City utilities. City Administrator Waite Smith state. City decreases the quarterly fee for some users, it will have to be increased for other Council Member Carlson sta aj `"`increase in the rates is due to depreciation. She suggested the option of taking into count sments the utilities are replaced. Finance Director stated st. id iscuss installation of utilities. The costs are paid through trunk charges and the assessments <_o into a construction trunk fund. Any assessments received go back to repay loans from the trunk fund. Council Member Carlson stated when the lines are replaced, homeowners can be assessed a given amount if it is lower or equal to the increased value of their home. The question is if depreciation amount can be factored in to that. Finance Director Rolek stated the City could probably use some of the funds from assessments when the system is replaced. However, the added value to the home is not the same as the initial installation. The value of the property will be substantially less than when the system was installed. • •