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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — July, 11, 2011 17 7.A. Consider Purchase of New Water Meter Readers (continued) Public Works Director Maurer stated the City could set these types of benchmarks and set the alarms accordingly. He stated the City would need to determine a policy on how to deal with the alarms. Councilmember Tamble asked when the best time of year would be to change the units. Public Works Director Maurer explained the fall would be the best time because this is a time when there is less of a demand on the Public Works Staff. There is not a rush to decide on a system at this time. The longer the City waits the more man power the City will use in reading the meters that the City is unable to get readings on while driving through the City. Currently Staff is spending three days a month in gathering the water meter readings but this will increase as more and more readers fail. Councilmember Werner asked what type of warranty there was on these readers. Public Works Director Maurer stated there is a 20-year warranty; 10 -year full warranty and 10- year prorated warranty. Councilmember Holmes asked if the Council would be interested in looking at different types of systems, not just the Badger System. Public Works Director Maurer stated he had been told when he started at the City that the decision was made to stay with a Badger System to ensure the readers were compatible with the meters the City currently has. He had worked with the Finance Department to determine if the Orion or Galaxy System would better meet the City's needs. He stated it is clear the Council is not comfortable in making a decision at this meeting. He stated he would start the process over, look at different types of systems, and provide this information to the Council for additional direction. Councilmember Holden stated that the City's current process is good, but she would like to see an interface for the Springbrook accounting system. Councilmember Holmes suggested Staff talk to Lexington and other communities to gather additional information. Councilmember Holden stated she would like to see some kind of agreement that if the equipment becomes obsolete in ten years, the City's maintenance costs would be reimbursed. City Administrator Klaers stated this would be a legal issue that may need to be negotiated. MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded a motion to Table the Expenditure of Up to $60,000 to Start the Conversion of Water Meter Readers Until Public Works Director Maurer Provides Additional Information. The motion carried unanimously (5 -0).