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<br /> . <br /> . <br /> . known to cause this ocClJn'eIlCe. 'Ibe generators enclosed <br /> on the head of the treters can fail and not send the <br /> appropriate signal to the rell'Ote readers. Retrote readers <br /> have had numbers on the rrechanical dials hang-up for a <br /> period of time and then start to operate again. 'Ibe <br /> reading may be low, but would not have caused staff to <br /> investigate further. 'Ibe outside readers have failed for <br /> periods of titre due to extrelre weatl1er oonditions. 'Ibe <br /> extreme heat and cold causes rroisture to form during the <br /> day and freeze at night, causing the rrechanical dials to <br /> not nove while frozen. Tiny animals and creatures have <br /> built nests and cobwebs in the rell'Ote readers causing the <br /> dials to stop turning. 'Ibere are otl1er rrechanical <br /> problems that have caused inaccurate readings between <br /> inside and out. <br /> - The current titre to read meters and perform repair IIOrk <br /> requires the equivalency of six people, five days to <br /> canplete the precess for each quarter. This arrounts to <br /> 960 hcurs annually, or 0.46 full-time equivalents. <br /> . - Three different styles of meters are currently in use in <br /> Arden Hills, causing rrore type of repair parts to be <br /> stocked. <br /> - 'I11e current manual readings all need to be entered into <br /> the carp..lter by a data processing person. This process is <br /> long and cumbersane and for the rrost part, can be <br /> eliminated by new technology. <br /> While it is not my intent to endorse a specific prcduct, what follows <br /> is a description of new and current technology that is available. For <br /> example, Sensus Technolcgies offers new meters that are c1a:itred to be <br /> much rrore accurate than lI'Ost other meters. 'I11e direct reading <br /> mechanism in the meter results in less "slippage". 'I11e Sensus <br /> autCXlE.ted meter reading system is also lI'Ore accurate and efficient due <br /> to a direct encoded reading of the meter fran an externally rrounted <br /> toucli pad. 'I11e TouchRead System Encoder registers are read with an <br /> electronic touch gun at a rell'Ote location, with the reading data <br /> instantly transferred to a solid state interrcgator. carried by the <br /> meter reader. At the end of the day. the interrcgator can be <br /> automatically down-loaded to a personal canputer at City Hall. Pre- <br /> . loaded software can irrrrediately begin to prepare utility bills as <br /> . desired. The TouchRead System w::>uld be considered the basic system <br /> needed to reduce costs and irrprcve efficiently. <br />