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Item No. <br /> Staff Report No. 1 2OP4 WS <br /> Meeting Date: April 7, 1997 <br /> Type of Business: WK <br /> • WK: Work Session;PH:Public Hearing; <br /> CA: Consent Agenda;CB:Council Business <br /> City of Mounds View Staff Report <br /> To: Honorable Mayor and members of the City Counci€ , <br /> From: Bruce A. Kessel, Finance Director71_ _'__ <br /> :j <br /> Item Title/Subject: Disputed water bill <br /> Date of Report: April 1, 1997 <br /> Today, City Administrator Whiting and myself met with Heidi Cookson, 2749 Ardan Avenue <br /> regarding her water bill. The following is a summary of activity in her account. <br /> During 1994, the water usage averaged 22,000 gallons per quarter and in 1995, 31,000 gallons <br /> per quarter. On February 18, 1996, the water meter was converted to the new sys.t('.:,,:,1; ,i;:—. , <br /> the property was constructed, a radio transmitter was used verses a direct telephone connection. <br /> For 1996, usage in gallons by quarter was 31,000, 131,000, 109,000 and 219,000. As can be <br /> seen, usage went up drastically. During December, 1996, we were asked to test the meter and a, <br /> such, we replaced the meter and had the other meter tested by an outside party which indicated <br /> that the meter was accurate within acceptable ranges (1/2 of 1%). On October 16, 1996, Ms. <br /> . Cookson made arrangements to pay her outstanding bill for the period ending June 30th. Since <br /> repaying that agreement, no payments have been made on her account, resulting in an <br /> outstanding bill in excess of$600. The bill for the period ending March 30, 1997 will ' 4 <br /> the later part of April and is estimated to be approximately $75 for charges during the first <br /> quarter. <br /> While we have no reason to question the integrity of Ms. Cookson, we also can not find a reason <br /> why the water meter would not be accurate and as such, no reason to adjust her usage and <br /> associated bill. As with most businesses, we charge for our product based upon actual usage <br /> with the actual usage being based upon a method of measurement which is a water meter. If the <br /> Council wishes to consider any adjustment, we would appreciate guidance on how we should <br /> treat other situations similar to this in the future to insure that all customers are treated equally <br /> and fairly. <br />