02-10-1997 CC - Laserfiche WebLink

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d L. 1 Page 5 a s .1 s x a d January 13, 1997 Mounds View City Council COUNCIL BUSINESS: A. Introduction of Ordinance No.588,An Ordinance Amending Chapter 1124 of the Mounds View Zoning Code Relating to the Location and Design of Wireless Communication Facilities within the City of Mounds View. MOTION/SECOND: Stigney/Koopmeiners to postpone the Introduction of Ordinance No.588 until an unspecified date/time to allow time to re-evaluate the ordinance and make changes as necessary. VOTE: 5 ayes 0 nays Motion Carried Mayor McCarty closed the Regular Council Meeting at 8:41 p.m. PUBLIC HEARINGS: Public Hearing to Consider Ordinance No.593,An Ordinance Authorizing the City Council of the City of Mounds View to Set Water Rates and Surcharges,effective January 1,1997. Mayor McCarty opened the Public Hearing at 8:41 p.m. 111 Mr.Bruce Kessel,Finance Director,noted that Ordinance No.593 increases the water rates$.05,effective with the January 1997 billing. The first reading of this ordinance was conducted on December 16, 1996. David Jahnke,8428 Eastwood Road,stated he understood that the new water meters would save residents money and perhaps warrant a decrease in rates. Now he sees the rates climbing after the city spent nearly one million dollars. Mr.Kessel,stated it is his understanding that the increased accuracy in the new meters along with the surcharge would pay for the meter conversion. The surcharges are expected to remain in effect for approximately five or six years. Mr.Jahnke stated he is upset that every time there is any extra revenue,the city uses it for something. It never ends up reducing costs to the residents. He hopes the new council members will take a close look at this. Mayor McCarty explained that the$.05 increase is geared toward maintaining a viable operation in the water department aside from the new water meters,and will ensure that the city's ongoing operations will remain in the black and not bring a deficit next year. After the six year surcharge period when the system is presumably paid for,the council will need to make a decision at that time whether or not it will be continued and used as an ongoing revenue source,whether it will take some other form,or whether there will be a reduction in operations. Mr.Jahnke stated he understands,however if the city had not spent all of that money on the water meters,he does not feel the residents would be faced with the raise in rates. A discussion ensued about the various improvements that have been done on the water towers,filtration systems,wells,etc.