CC_Minutes_2013_1202 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Regular City Council Meeting Monday, December 2, 2013 Page 24 Mayor Roe noted that this was a continuation of previous discussions as detailed in the RCA dated December 2, 2013. Councilmember Laliberte advised that in her general discussions with residents unable to attend tonight, she had offered them an opportunity to provide feedback at next week's meeting; and asked that no action be taken tonight pending that public comment. Regarding the senior discount program, and request of Councilmember McGehee, Mr. Miller advised that he had not taken the opportunity to determine if Ramsey County or other sources could provide a link with the City for income verification for a revised income-based discount program. Councilmember McGehee request- ed more information by next week's meeting; noting the potential savings to the City if$290,000 currently being given for discounts was actually available in the Water Fund. Councilmember Etten clarified that the City Council was looking for more infor- mation regarding cost ramifications for a line for income thresholds and costs to the City; with a gradual decline intended to move from seniors to income quali- fied households, requiring more intensive work by staff with such a program not able to be implemented at this point. Mayor Roe, with concurrence by Mr. Miller, suggested leaving the fee structure as is at this point and adjust it accordingly at the time the policy change is im- plemented. Councilmember Etten noted that there would be significant background work re- quired for a future system and phasing out of the current system. Councilmember Laliberte, consistent with comments of Councilmember McGe- hee, spoke in support of making a change sooner rather than later; and discussions were postponed until 2014, it would be 2015 before it could be implemented, and the phasing out taking even longer. Councilmember Laliberte spoke in support of sooner rather than later implementation. Councilmember Willmus concurred with Councilmembers McGehee and Laliber- te, expressing interest in setting rates by December 9, 2013. Based on his recollection of those past discussions, Mr. Miller advised that staff had heard at last week's meeting, that the City Council was interested in a differ- ent approach and removing the senior discount program in its current format. Mr. Miller noted that additional information on income thresholds had been requested of staff; however, he noted that it would take time to determine what other juris- dictions would apply, how they did so and glean information from their processes.