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Mounds View City Council December 11, 2000 Regular Meeting Page 6 Steven Berk 2614 Louisa Avenue expressed his support for the program indicating he was a single parent who would be hard pressed to come up with a large amount of cash to repair his water service. Mayor Coughlin closed the public hearing at 7:44 p.m. MOTION/SECOND: Quick/Marty. To Waive the Second Reading and Adopt the Proposed Changes to Ordinance 673, Chapter 906 of the Municipal Code, Section 906.04, Entitled “Liability for Repairs”. Council Member Thomas expressed her concern for residents calling the proposed program an insurance plan and indicated it was simply another tax being collected to fund a City welfare program for water service repair. She stated she does not like the precedent this type of program would set if approved. She also stated she does not approve of collecting yet another tax when taxes are proposed to be raised considerably for next year Council Member Stigney expressed his displeasure with the fact the issue was not more thoroughly discussed at the Work Session. He inquired as to what the Ordinance specifies for repairs now, when the Ordinance was changed and why. He indicated Staff was not able to explain why the City made the change to require residents to pay from the home to the main rather than from the home to the curb stop box. It is his opinion anything in the boulevard should be City responsibility not the residents’ responsibility. Council Member Stigney inquired as to whether new homes would be hooked up to service as part of this program at City expense. This proposal as he understands it is to have the City pay to repair from the home to the curb stop box. Requiring residents to pay for this program even if they do not wish to be involved in the program is not right in his opinion. The resolution that came before Council at the last meeting gave the option for residents to opt out of the program and that would be his preference. In his opinion he does not believe it is right to charge residents for yet another fee over and above what they are paying to go into the general fund if those residents do not wish to pay the fee for participation in the program. Council Member Stigney expressed his desire to have the program better defined. He then inquired as to whether the covered repairs were for a one time repair or if the service was ongoing. Public Works Director Ullrich indicated authorization for payment for repair of services would be at the sole discretion of the City but said he did not expect this to be a one-time service repair for residents. Council Member Stigney inquired as to whether there was a curb stop box on either side of the street allowing the City to shut off water should there be a water service leak or someone is not paying for their service. Public Works Director Ullrich indicated there was a curb stop box on either side of the street to allow the City to shut off water service if the need arose.