10/28/2002 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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• COUNCIL MINUTES OCTOBER 28, 2002 Councilmember O'Donnell stated he does not want it to go on for another year but also wants to be fair to Mr. Kimball. Finance Director Rolek stated after testing the original meter it was exchanged, however, this meter was not exchanged because it was a faulty meter. He explained that the City has a meter exchange system to go from a manual read to a telephone read system. When the meter was tested, it was noticed that it had met the threshold of 500,000 gallons and was due to be exchanged. He stated staff still feels the readings of the original meter were accurate. Mayor Bergeson stated the option is to certify the entire list or the Council could give some consideration to the information presented. Councilmember Reinert asked what the average water consumption is for a property like Mr. Kimball's. Finance Director Rolek stated it varies from 30,000 during winter time up to 150,000 to 200,000 gallons in the summer depending on whether they have in -ground irrigation, a large lawn, or a swimming pool. Mr. Kimball stated he does not have an in -ground watering sys? Councilmember Reinert asked why the Council would consider tabling this matter. Finance Director Rolek stated it is staff's position that the readings are accurate and the water was consumed. Staff does not have an explanation of why& for what purpose it was consumed but the test showed the meter was reading accuratel; Councilmember Reinert stated it appears that the matter is at an impasse. Finance Director Rolek stated it is uncils discretion on how they want to handle it. He noted staff does not have the ability to wte off a 'ng for water that has been used. He explained that a good deal of the charges are for non-pa,ht o - the last year and two years. He advised that there are $592 in penalties for the last year which is a substantial part of the outstanding amount. Finance Director Rolek stated the Council, has some latitude there. Councilmember Reinert stated he understands Mr. Kimball's concern and desire to protest in some way if he believes the meter is not reading correctly. However, the evidence shows the meter did work and barring other evidence to show that there is a case for Mr. Kimball's point of view, he would support certifying. However, given the fact that this has taken two years to resolve, being sympathetic to Mr. Kimball, and the fees accruing, he would consider doing something with those extra fees. Councilmember O'Donnell stated the Council just got this information tonight so he would support tabling it to the next work session. Mayor Bergeson stated if this address is pulled off the list, he would not want to try to resolve it at the meeting tonight but to consider it at a work session meeting. 7