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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL – JUNE 27, 2016 7 <br /> <br />8. PUBLIC HEARINGS <br /> <br />A. Approve Resolution 2016-021 Adopting and Confirming Quarterly Special <br />Assessments for Delinquent Utilities <br /> <br />Interim City Administrator and Director of Finance and Administrative Services Iverson <br />requested the Council approve a Resolution adopting and confirming quarterly special <br />assessments for delinquent utilities. She explained a list of utility accounts with a delinquent <br />balance was compiled and notices dated May 9, 2016, were mailed. These customers were <br />informed of their delinquent status and were asked to make payment of the delinquent balance by <br />June 10, 2016. Utility accounts with an unpaid delinquent balance after June 10, 2016, would be <br />certified to Ramsey County to be added to property taxes payable in 2017. The certification <br />amount is equal to the unpaid delinquent balance plus an eight percent penalty. The City will <br />request that Ramsey County levy the delinquent balances against the respective properties. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes asked if late fees were charged to homeowners, along with disconnect <br />and reconnection fees. <br /> <br />Interim City Administrator and Director of Finance and Administrative Services Iverson <br />explained the City does not disconnect service. It was found that this work can cause damage to <br />the pipes that would impact water flow. She noted the City does charge an 8% late fee. She also <br />stated that if service is disconnected or reconnected, the City does charge for this. <br /> <br />Councilmember McClung supported the late fees being charged. He believed that the <br />assessments for this quarter were quite low when compared to other quarters. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden did not support water services being shut off entirely. She commented <br />how this would impact the homeowners’ water lines. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes expressed frustration with seeing the same names on the delinquent <br />utility list each quarter. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant opened the public hearing at 8:14 p.m. <br /> <br />With no one coming forward to speak, Mayor Grant closed the public hearing at 8:15 p.m. <br /> <br />MOTION: Councilmember McClung moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a <br />motion to approve Resolution 2016-021 Certifying the List of Delinquent <br />Utility Accounts to Ramsey County. <br /> <br />Councilmember McClung asked if there was anything else the City could do to encourage <br />homeowners to pay their utility bills. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant suggested this be discussed at another time. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden believed it did not matter if people did not pay their utility bills given <br />the fact the City was receiving 8% in late fees.