Agenda Packets - 2012/10/22 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Item No: 7.A. Meeting Date: October 22, 2012 Type of Business: Council Business Administrator Review: ____ City of Mounds View Staff Report To: Honorable Mayor and City Council From: Mark Beer, Finance Director Item Title/Subject: Water Bill Discussion Introduction: At the October 8, 2012 Council meeting, Becky Ness spoke during public input regarding an outstanding water bill for her property at 6942 Pleasant View Drive. She requested that the Council waive the remaining balance of $918.48 and not certify the amount to the property taxes. The Council wanted additional information and would discuss this at the next City Council meeting. Discussion: During the second quarter of 2003 the meter reader stopped transmitting readings. Estimated readings were used to calculate the utility bill. This continued until Public Works (PW) staff was allowed in to replace the meter reader on May 15, 2008. During this 5 year period (2003 – 2008) PW sent 5 letters requesting access to replace the meter reader. PW has no record of any response from the homeowner other than to the last letter. The actual reading obtained indicated an additional 957 units of water were used during the five year period. The additional charge was $1,413. The homeowner questioned this amount and PW staff conducted a meter test with the homeowner witnessing the test. The meter tested accurate and that report is included. The meter during this period continued to record the actual water use and only the meter reader malfunctioned by not sending that information. The City provided a number of financial breaks to the homeowner. The City did not charge the homeowner for the $50 meter test. The City agreed that the homeowner could make payments on the outstanding balance. The City did not charge interest or late fees. The City did not adjust the sewer charges which would have increased the outstanding amount. The homeowner made progress on reducing the outstanding balance until February of 2011 when the balance was $934.05. City staff included the outstanding amount as part of this year’s delinquent utility assessments because no progress has been made since February 2011. Recommendation: The City Council should review the attached information. The City Attorney has provided guidance as to how to proceed. The City Council would need to make a “Finding of Fact” and include that within a future resolution or affirm the charges in which case nothing additional would need to be done. Staff recommends that based on the meter test that the City Council find that the outstanding amount is affirmed and assessed to the property. Respectfully submitted, ________________________ Mark Beer Finance Director