09-27-1999 CC - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council August 23, 1999 Regular Meeting Page 4 Council Member Stigney reported he had attended the Charter Commission meeting, during which they considered their response to the request of the City Council regarding some changes to the Charter. He stated the changes were reviewed in some detail, and a response had been foliiiulated. He noted some questions had been raised regarding what was being requested, and this matter would be coming forward to the Council. Council Member Stigney noted the newsletter "Council Directions Provided by the Metropolitan Council," which indicated the Metropolitan Council had reduced the sewer rate charges to cities for disposing of the sewage, by approximately seven percent this year. He stated he had not previously heard anything in this regard, and inquired if the reduction had been passed on to the City of Mounds View, and if so, why was the Council not apprised of it. Mayor Coughlin stated he had discussed this matter, that date, with the Public Works Director, and he believed this was one of the items that would be brought forward amidst other discussions of various rates and fees for sewer and water. Council Member Stigney inquired if the rate reduction pertained to the entire year, or was just recently put into effect. Mayor Coughlin stated this was just recently effective, however, he was uncertain if this had been done since the Metropolitan Council had been newly seated. Council Member Stigney requested further clarification of this matter, adding that the Mounds View residents were currently paying a$47.00 flat rate,per quarter. Mayor Coughlin stated the matter would be brought forward to the Public Works Director. Finance Director Kessel commented there had been a number of changes in this regard. He stated that the Metropolitan Council previously took the readings for water usage and billed for this the following year. He explained this was changed to bring them current, and now they are billing monthly instead of quarterly. He noted the rate did go down, however, what they are paid is dependent upon how much water goes through their system, therefore, if the water usage is up, the rate goes up as well. He explained that although the residents pay the same amount per year, the amount the City pays the Metropolitan Council fluctuates, based upon the number of gallons of water they pump. He stated this matter would be addressed during the budget discussion. Council Member Stigney inquired if this rate reduction was effective as of the first of the year. Finance Director Kessel stated this was correct. Council Member Stigney stated, as a Council Member, he questioned why he was not informed of the rate reduction, and had to learn of it through the Metropolitan Council's newsletter. He stated this made him unhappy. Finance Director Kessel stated this was a matter of knowing what information the Council desires, so staff may provide it. Council Member Stigney stated this was a matter of communication, and such information should be provided to the Council Members who represent the residents of the City.