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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - April 10, 2007 SSCITY OF LODI INFORMAL INFORMATIONAL MEETING "SHIRTSLEEVE" SESSION CARNEGIE FORUM, 305 WEST PINE STREET TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 2007 An Informal Informational Meeting ("Shirtsleeve" Session) of the Lodi City Council was held Tuesday, April 10, 2007, commencing at 7:31 a.m. A. ROLL CALL Present: Council Members — Hansen, Hitchcock, Katzakian, and Mayor Johnson Absent: Council Members — Mounce Also Present: City Manager King, City Attorney Schwabauer, and City Clerk Johl B. TOPIC(S) B-1 "Receive Information Regarding the Water Meter Retrofit Program" City Manager King briefly introduced the subject matter of the water meter retrofit program. Public Works Director Prima provided a PowerPoint presentation (filed) regarding the subject matter. Specific topics of discussion included an outline of the program and background of the program including State deadlines, meter costs, pilot test data, revenue and rate implications of metering, other implications, rate goals, meeting rate goals, accelerated program, goal conversion, basic choices, and feasibility of choices. In response to Mayor Johnson, City Attorney Schwabauer stated if a ballot measure comes forth, it would be subject to the constitutional Proposition 218 process and approval. City Manager King stated this is not a mandate, but a method by which the State ensures that local government pays for the program. Discussion ensued between Council Member Hansen, Mayor Johnson, and Mr. Prima regarding previous efforts by the City regarding the installation of new sewer mains east of Vine Street. In response to Council Member Hitchcock, Mr. Prima stated the chart shows each customer and how much they use on a total basis. In response to Council Member Hitchcock, Mr. Prima stated staff is working on correlating data for pool properties. In response to Council Member Katzakian, Mr. Prima stated he is not sure how the 15,400 figure compares to averages in other cities. PUBLIC COMMENTS: oc In response to Myrna Wetzel, Mr. Prima stated watering hours and conservation efforts do affect rates and structure, but peak issue will not change too much. City Manager King stated, with a flat level payment, we receive the same amount, while a new structure with lump sum amounts may help with reserves and dry periods. In response to Council Member Hansen, Mr. Prima stated traditionally gas and electric is individually measured for each apartment, while water and sewer are measured together per apartment building or lot. In response to Mayor Johnson, Mr. Prima stated, in regard to landscaping uses, the winter time usage sets the bill for the next year. He stated staff has spoken to the Internal Revenue Service regarding the same and are reviewing a variety of ways to account for outside usage. City Manager King stated his ecperience is ratio basis and additional meters for landscaping. In response to Council Member Hansen, Mr. Prima stated the water rates are largely determined by the cost of service, as with electric, and you pay less if you use less. 1 Continued April 10, 2007 Mr. King stated the additional difference is that the water costs include only the cost of service and not the additional cost for the commodity itself. In response to Council Member Hitchcock, Mr. Prima stated they charge based on use; not by peak times. In response to Council Member Hitchcock, Mr. Prima stated it is not uncommon to see tiered rates for water among different cities. He stated he does not believe there is much of a correlation between the tiers and how much the customers pay. In response to Council Member Hansen's question regarding the proposed increase and fairness of the bedroom system, Mr. King stated the matter was accelerated based on the people's request for water meters. In response to Council Member Hansen, Mr. Prima stated the $1,200 figure is a comfortable estimate for water meter installation and it may be feasible to have some payment options, while being cognizant of the cash flow issue. In response to Mayor Johnson, Mr. Prima stated the users who pay for the full amount are a relatively small portion of the population. In response to Council Member Hansen, Mr. Prima stated there may be some practical concerns regarding piecemeal efforts for property owners who may want to pay for and install the meter right away. In response to Mayor Johnson, Mr. Prima stated the money could probably be collected within a three-year time period and implementation, even if it was done by a single large contractor, may be done within two years of the accelerated program. In response to Council Member Hansen, Mr. Prima stated year 2010 is the deadline for starting to charge by water meters. Discussion ensued between Council Member Hansen, City Manager King, and Mr. Prima regarding spreading costs, property owner options and costs, and Proposition 218 application. Discussion ensued between Council Member Hitchcock and Mr. Prima regarding the share of costs for property owners, upgrading service and meter installation, properties located on the east side versus other areas in the City, previously installed meters, landscaping considerations, and installation efforts. In response to Council Member Katzakian, Mr. Prima stated the actual cost of the meter is approximately $200. City Manager King stated the option of a teat and drink plant is a policy consideration by Council to include structures with new properties that do not exist on the tax rolls now, as well as spreading out costs with existing housing. City Manager King stated staff will be coming back to Council at a regular Council meeting for direction on how to proceed with the item. C. COMMENTS BY THE PUBLIC ON NON -AGENDA ITEMS oo Eileen St. Yves spoke in favor of water meter installation and property owner responsibility for both installation and service purposes. D. ADJOURNMENT No action was taken by the City Council. The meeting was adjourned at 8:47 a.m. ATTEST: Randi Johl, City Clerk W AGENDA ITEM a - t CITY OF Lom COUNCIL COMMUNICATION TM AGENIMA TITLE: Water Meter Retrofit MEETING DATE: April 10, 2007 (Shirtsleeve Session) PREPARED BY: Public Works Director RECOI1111NIEWED ACTION: Receive information on the water meter retrofit program. BACK(DROUND INFORMATION: The State of California has mandated that water meters be retrofitted on existing customer services. This matter was brought to the City Council in 2006 for initial discussion. The Council requested that staff evaluate the possibility of doing so on a "short" time frame. The attached presentation provides background information, costs of retrofitting meters, data from the pilot test performed in 2006/07 and discussion on the meter retrofit program, as well as rate and revenue implications. FISCAL IMPACT: As described in the attached material; actual impact will depend on the policy direction. The matter is tentatively scheduled for Council action at its April 18, 2007 meeting. FUNDING AVAILABLE: Not applicable. Richard C. Prima, Jr. Public Works Director RCPlpmf Attachment cc: Charlie Swim ley, Water Services Manager APPROVED: 1 :� Blair King, tlAanager K 1WPIPROJECTSIWATERWeterslCRetro$tPolicy_ShirWeeve.doe 41N2007