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Regular City Council Meeting <br /> Monday,July 18, 2011 <br /> Page 27 <br /> however, he noted that most items are worked out well in advance of meetings <br /> and opined that there should be no negative impacts. <br /> Councilmember Pust suggested that, given vacations and summer schedules, ap- <br /> pointment be deferred until September. <br /> Mayor Roe advised that he didn't want to extend appointment too far in to the fall <br /> and preferred an appointment in September; suggesting an August 12 deadline for <br /> applications and appointment on September 12. <br /> Councilmember Pust suggested staff provide an e-mail to HRA members for them <br /> to encourage their recruitment of interested citizens to apply. <br /> Johnson moved, Willmus seconded, extending the application period for HRA <br /> candidates to Friday, August 12, 2011. <br /> Discussion included whether the HRA remained operational with this vacancy; <br /> with Councilmember Pust advising, and Mayor Roe concurring, that they were <br /> fine with this extension; and if necessary the application period could be further <br /> extended if there were still no or limited responses. <br /> Roll Call <br /> Ayes: Pust; Willmus; McGehee; Johnson; and Roe. <br /> Nays: None. <br /> 13. Business Items—Presentations/Discussions <br /> a. Policy Discussion on whether to provide Utility Customer Notices as part of <br /> Rate Setting Process <br /> Mayor Roe noted that this item had been included on the budget calendar for con- <br /> sideration of whether specific notices to property owners be provided for pro- <br /> jected utility increases. Mayor Roe noted that utility rates may increase annually, <br /> but were not part of the projected tax-supported property tax statements mailed to <br /> all property owners, and providing a specific date for them to be heard related to <br /> proposed increases. <br /> Councilmember Pust questioned why this was being suggested. <br /> Mayor Roe provided a more detailed discussion comparing setting rates and fees <br /> with setting property taxes, with statutory requirements for those notices in a for- <br /> mal manner. However, Mayor Roe noted that while annual fees and rates may <br /> signify similar increases, there was no notice provided to residents, even though <br /> they were impacted as much by those as with property taxes. Mayor Roe noted <br /> the significant increase proposed for this next budget cycle for fees and rates; and <br /> questioned if it was prudent to create a mechanism to provide notification to resi- <br />