2021.02.09 CC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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