03-18-13 Jt City Council, PTRC, and PC

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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—MARCH 18, 2013 3 Councilmember Werner asked if staff calculated what the bill would be without the disputed water usage that occurred during the two-week period in which the resident stated he was out of the country. City Administrator Klaers stated that the flat consumption amount would be about$10. Mayor Grant stated that during the two-week period in question, 44,000 gallons of water usage was recorded. Public Works Director Maurer indicated that public works staff visited the home. He stated that both the valves and reader were checked and no problems with the system were found. Staff discussed a townhome property in Arden Hills that had an erratic meter reading in January. Councilmember McClung questioned if staff found any problems in the system that would create these erratic spikes in water usage. Public Works Director Maurer stated that he has not found any equipment problems. The only issues found have been human error within original input into the new system. Mayor Grant explained that more doubt has been raised in his mind since the second erratic reading occurred in a townhome during the winter months. This leads him to question the readers. Councilmember McClung indicated he too was questioning these cases because both property owners were away from home for two weeks when the spike in water usage occurred. He recommended that the situation be further investigated. Mayor Grant asked if the system could flag usage over 100 gallons per hour. Public Works Director Maurer stated that it could be done. He noted that if meter readers fail, they generally read less water usage rather than more. Mayor Grant stated he would be in favor of writing these expenses off. Councilmember Holden was not in favor of writing off the expense. She suggested the expense be split between the homeowner and the City. Councilmember Werner noted that he is more sympathetic to the property owner who shut his water valve off before traveling, and recommended an adjustment be made on his utility bill. Councilmember McClung supported the utility bill adjustment for the property owner. He recommended staff watch for this type of water usage spike in the future. Public Works Director Maurer stated that he would set peak levels within the system to assist staff with monitoring this type of situation.