Agenda Packets - 1995/08/28 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CRY OF Agenda Section: 11.B REQUEST FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION Report Number: 95-1434C 11117� Report Date: 8-24-95 STAFF REPORT Council Action: ❑ Special Order of Business CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE August 28 , 1995 CI Public Hearings ❑ Consent Agenda N Council Business Item Description: Consideration of Water Meter Changeout Proposal Administrator's Review/Recommendation: - No comments to supplement this report Comments attached. Explanation/Summary (attach supplement sheets as necessary.) SUMMARY; At the August 21, 1995 Council meeting staff was requested to conduct additional research for alternative methods of improving the City' s water meter system and meter reading program. The two alternatives, changing out meters that are ten (10) years older and doing nothing to the reading system, and installing a system in-house were researched. Currently the City has approximately 1, 000 meters that are ten (10) years old and newer. It is estimated that the current staff could change out approximately 200 meters every year. Initialy many more meters than 200 would have to be replaced.This would in essences, take ten (10) years to update the system to the point where no meter in the system would be older than ten (10) years old. This approach would do nothing to the reading program, and would be an on going maintenance activity. This estimate could vary greatly from year to year, depending on the variety of other scheduled maintenance activities, emergencies, vacations, and availability to schedule appointments to perform the replacement of these meters . This approach is very similar to the current practice, only the number of meter replaced is greater. Staff would not feel comfortable recommending this approach. The second option is to install either Option number 1 or 2 , with in house staff. Staff would recommend hiring an additional maintenance person, and a part-time secretary to perform this activity. It is not possible to perform a change out program of this magnitude with the current level of staffing. With the two additional staff members and vehicle it is estimated that the project could be completed in three and a half (3 . 5) to four (4) years. The expense of this approach in labor alone would be approximately $235, 000, plus the additional increase in the cost of the meters . The installation portion of the Phone Read system is $210, 350 . This alternative would also add an enormous amount of frustration to the reading and billing programs until the system was completed. This option is not cost effective. After exploring the two additional options requested by residents and Council, it appears that discussion of the first three options are still the most cost effective and efficient means of dealing with the meter reading program and revenue issues . Once again the three (3) options are listed below, followed by a recommendation should Council wish to proceed with Options 1 or 2 . RECOMMENDATION;