04/07/2008 Council Minutes (3) - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION APRIL 7, 2008 APPROVED • 90 91 They think the proposed water rates encourage conservation; they recommend education be a part of any changes. 92 93 The council confirmed that the last change in water rates was in 2001. Finance Director 94 Rolek noted that the average consumer would face a 4% increase, less that one percent 95 per year. They have tried to design a system that doesn't penalize non -controllable usage 96 but does certainly impact discretionary use. 97 98 When a question arose about the number of people per household and how a use per 99 person that doesn't penalize a family could be included, Ms. Kettles noted that 100 consumption is the common indicator for rates and it's directly related to the cost of use, 101 such as facilities. Director Rolek suggested that while it isn't possible to set rates on a 102 per person basis, they have attempted to look at averages and use that information to set 103 blocks and a rate structure to provide that those people who are using a higher than 104 average amount of water will pay the higher rates. The rates attempt to be fair to families 105 while still working to meet the benchmarks for water use. 106 107 Responding to a council question about how a rate change would be communicated to the 108 public, Director Rolek noted that there would be a mailing as well as a public hearing 109 held before rate changes are considered. Off course, information can be provided with 110 utility bills. 111 • 112 There was discussion about how many of the council's previous concerns are now 113 addressed with the rate proposal. 114 115 Public Service Director DeGardner respectfully disagreed that the proposed rates would 116 punish a large number of families. The fact is that 90 plus percent of households don't 117 reach the upper threshold. The tiered structure is really meant to address the summer 118 usage issue. The council requested that information be included in future reports. 119 120 The council was informed that the schedule for a rate change would involve the better 121 part of the summer for a public hearing and communication plan. Implementation in the 122 third quarter of this year is the best case scenario. Staff would need support of the 123 council to begin the process. 124 125 The question being, does the council want staff to proceed on the proposed rate structure 126 (do more work), each council member was given an opportunity to speak. The majority 127 supported moving forward with the next step. The official report should include the 128 additional information requested by council members. A hearing and a good 129 communication plan is absolutely required with full disclosure; additional comparisons 130 showing different impacts would also be helpful. The council should see an updated 131 report and communication plan before the question is presented to the public. 132 133 MAIN STREET VILLAGE — AZURE PROPERTIES (requested by Council • 134 Member Reinert and O'Donnell) - Paul Schrier and Tom Schutte, Azure Development,