CCP 09-28-1987 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting, September 14, 1987 .' Page 2 - RES. 87-58 (Cont'd) Morrison advised that due notice was published in the New Bri~hton Bulletin on August 26, and mailed to affected property owners on August 28, 1987. Larry Erickson, 1860 Indian Place, disputed his utility bill of $136.53 from . the second quarter billing; he advised that his normal bill is approximately $60.00 and it was his opinion the higher amount was due to the replacement of the inside water meter at his residence. Erickson explained that his meter may have been defective for the past five years; he stated he was being indirectly penalized because his meter had been replaced, and advised all residences should be checked for such discrepancies. He noted his most recent bill was $46.44, Council questioned responsibility for repair of water meters inside residences. Raddatz advised that City staff is usually called to repair inside meters, however, it is the homeowners responsibility to see the meter is kept in good working condition and report breakdowns. Hansen advised that it is the opinion of the Public Safety/Works Committee members that discrepancies should be paid by the homeowner, since the water was used by them. She questioned if the inside or outside meter was more accurate. Raddatz explained that the outside meter takes impulses from the inside meter to change the number readings; temperature changes could affect the movement of the numbers on the outside meters and it is the manufacturers opinion that the inside meters are the mOre accurate of the two; he also noted that manufacturers have proven the meters are never in the City's favor. Council questioned how many of the other delinquent utility bills from . residences were due to defective meters. Raddatz advised that the only other defective meter bill being certified to the County was for an industrial user. Raddatz explained to Council that the bill may seem high, in a lump sum, however, the meter may not have been working for the last five years and the cost accumulated. Mayor Woodburn commented that the meter readings to determine the extent of this type of problem will commence with this quarterly period and an amnesty provision is included on the cards for residents who determine there is a problem. He questioned how long the City can go back to correct any error of this type; it was his opinion that Erickson should not be charged for the overage when other residents who will identify this problem will be granted amnesty. After determining there were no further comments from the floor, Mayor Woodburn closed the public hearing at 8:15 p.m. Hansen moved, seconded by Peck, that Council grant Larry Erickson amnesty for the discrepancy remaining on his unpaid water bill as provided on the water meter reading cards which will be distributed to residences'throughout the City, rationale for granting amnesty is that the meter was defective, Erickson has brought the defective meter to our attention, . and, even though the Public Safety/Works Committee is of the opinion that residents should be responsible for water used, a program for granting a grace period to residents who identify such discrepancies has been initiated in the City at this time. Motion carried unanimously. (5-0) Winiecki clarified the fact that because Mr. Erickson identified the defective meter is the reason for the vote of amnesty; trying to make it clear that a precedent is not being set in case other cases' arise in the future, Moved by Hansen, seconded by Peck, that Council approve Resolution No. 87-58, ADOPTING'AND CONFIRMING SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS FOR DELINQUENT SEWER AND WATER ACCOUNTS, and, furthermore, that Larry Erickson's name be deleted from the assessment roll. Motion carried unanimously. (5-0) Councilmember Peck questioned the City's authority to shut off water before the . delinquent accounts become extremely excessive. Council concurred to discuss this matter under Other Business on the Agenda.