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February 9, 2021 <br />Motion by Councilmember Dunsworth, seconded by Councilmember Axberg to approve the Consent <br />Agenda as presented. <br />A roll call vote was taken. <br />5 Ayes, 0 Nays - Motion Carried <br />Public Hearing <br />None. <br />Council Business <br />1. Resolution Waiving Late Fees on Unpaid Utility Balances Through December <br />31, 2021 and Waiving Interest Charges When Certifying Delinquent Utility <br />Accounts to be Payable with 2022 Property Taxes. <br />City Manager Massopust indicated Interim Finance Director Smith would be presenting this item to the <br />Council. <br />Interim Finance Director Smith stated each year delinquent charges for utility services are <br />certified for collection with the property taxes. Through certification, the City is assured <br />of payment for these services. The certified amount must be paid with the 2022 property taxes. <br />The amount to be certified to the 2022 property taxes is unknown at this time. For a <br />comparison, the amount certified to property taxes over the last three years is as follows: <br />9 2021 $143,803.37 9 2020 $172,184.42 • 2019 $158,747.37 <br />Interim Finance Director Smith explained the certified amount typically includes an interest <br />charge of 10% per annum, as the City will not receive settlement in full until December 2022. <br />The City understands that COVID-19 could continue to impact a utility customer's ability to <br />pay for their utility services in 2021. With this resolution, all late fees on unpaid utility <br />balances and interest charges on property tax certifications will be waived through December <br />31, 2021. <br />Councilmember Abdulle commented he believed this was the right thing to do, recognizing <br />there were things the City could do for community members that had been negatively impacted <br />by the pandemic. <br />Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas asked how the notifications were sent to utility accounts. Interim <br />Finance Director Smith reported the City was still sending out quarterly utility bills and <br />information was included on the bills that late fees were being waived through December of <br />2021. She stated when it comes time to certify delinquent accounts in July or November, these <br />residents are given a 30 days notification. <br />Councilmember Dunsworth questioned how the City used the revenue from late fees. Interim <br />Finance Director Smith reported the late fees and interest charges collected go directly into the <br />utility funds to cover operating costs for the City. She noted these fees were waived for most of <br />2020 and she did not notice an impact to the City's utility fund balances. <br />Councilmember Allen recommended the notifications have additional information pointing <br />residents to available Ramsey County resources in order to assist those truly struggling. <br />Councilmember Abdulle stated it was good the City was waiving these fees but noted the bills <br />would be assessed at the end of the year. City Manager Massopust discussed how waiving full <br />utility bills would adversely impact the City. He supported Councilmember Allen's suggestion <br />as this may help residents that were struggling at this time. <br />Page 3 of 6 <br />b. January 6, 2021 <br />EDC Meeting <br />Minutes. <br />c. January 6, 2021 <br />PREC Minutes. <br />6. Consider Bids and <br />Award of Contract for <br />City Project 20-08. <br />Public Hearing <br />Council Business <br />1. Resolution Waiving <br />Late Fees on Unpaid <br />Utility Balances <br />Through December <br />31, 2021 and Waiving <br />Interest Charges When <br />Certifying Delinquent <br />Utility Accounts to be <br />Payable with 2022 <br />Property Taxes <br />