2020.01.14 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

December 10, 2019 Page 7 of 9 5. Consider Resolution Establishing a Water Meter Replacement Process and Fees to Non- Compliant Properties. Motion by Councilmember Burg, seconded by Councilmember Dunsworth to adopt a Resolution Establishing a 2020 Water Meter Replacement Process and Fees to Non-Compliant Properties. Acting City Manager Massopust indicated Finance Director Davitt would be presenting this item to the Council. Finance Director Davitt explained water meters and their registers often lose accuracy as they age, replacement parts become unavailable, and technology is no longer supported. All of these reasons are why the City is in the process of replacing and upgrading the water meters. The City recently found out the devices used to read our old water meters is no longer available and our equipment cannot be repaired. The City of St. Paul located a few of these meter reading devices stored in their inventory and has lent them to us for our use. These devices are old and still require some adjusting to allow the City to read the old meters still in use. At this time, all properties in the City have received notification to schedule installation appointments by HydroCorp. Unfortunately, there are 542 meters that need to be replaced and with the technology issues of our meter reading devices, a higher priority needs to be placed on this process. Staff is recommending the following to achieve 100% replacement of all meters by the end of 2020. Staff reviewed the process that would be followed in further detail with the Council and recommended approval. Councilmember Dunsworth asked when the water meter replacement program began. Finance Director Davitt reported work began on this initiative in 2018. She reported the City was completed in sections. She estimated most properties have had almost a year to get their meter replaced. Councilmember Burg explained the meters have to be replaced to allow the City to read the meters. Councilmember Jacobsen commented that technology only lasts so long and these water meters had to be replaced every 20 years. He encouraged residents to contact the City as soon as possible if they still need a water meter replaced. He noted this only took approximately 15 minutes to complete the water meter replacement. Mayor Johnson stated she understood there were some residents that did not want a government agent in their home. However, she noted this was not an optional program. She reported all water meters had to be replaced or the City would proceed with fining property owners and would have to turn the water off. 5 Ayes, 0 Nays-Motion Carried 6. Consider Resolution to Deny Issuance of a Tobacco License – 1439 Silver Lake Road NW. Motion by Councilmember Jacobsen, seconded by Councilmember Burg to adopt a Resolution denying Issuance of a Tobacco License for the property at 1439 Silver Lake Road NW. Mayor Johnson requested comment from staff on this item. Acting City Manager Massopust reported the City had an applicant for a tobacco license at 1439 Silver Lake Road NW and the application had a great deal of misinformation. In addition, the background check had many red flags. For this reason, staff was recommending denial of the tobacco license and that the application fee be refunded. Mayor Johnson stated she supported the tobacco license being denied, but recommended the license fee be kept to cover the staff time that was spent on this matter. Councilmember Burg supported denial of the license and suggested the Council look into creating language that would allow the City to keep license fees for applicants that provide the City with fraudulent information. Councilmember Jacobsen stated because the City didn’t have any language to address this issue, could the 5. Consider Resolution Establishing a Water Meter Replacement Process and Fees to Non-Compliant Properties 6. Consider Resolution to Deny Issuance of a Tobacco License – 1439 Silver Lake Road NW.