The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutAgenda Report - February 23, 1993CITY COUNCIL MEETING March 17, 1993 COMPLAINT REGARDING MR. MURPHY'S UTILITY BILLING CC -16 CC -51(d) Cheryl Reinke, 420 Ravenvood Way, spoke regarding the item that had been removed from the March 3, 1993 agenda concerning a complaint received from Joe Murphy regarding his utility billing. Ms. Reinke feels his billing is in error and should be corrected. Further, Ms. Reinke informed the public that a Citizens Watch Committee has formed and anyone interested can call 367-8778. Further, Mr. Joe Murphy, 1817 Amber Leaf Way, Lodi also spoke regarding the error on his billing and asked to have it looked into. Council directed staff to put this matter on for the next agenda. CITIZENS WATCH COMMITTEE itilliifill!•1:12t16L971-1411Viltilti ♦iSWata i Y01! � i 1• .,ta.a:.r s • l,f ,♦ PhW Pennino voted "Yes" • u= Wilarbage rte increi•e • .♦ . NQ,,O vas Olt ' ♦ Randy Snider voted "Yes" for garbage rate increase • NO -0 YRS GO Jack S►egiodt voted "Yes" ♦ 1; �`gaNp " Y 2 i Steven Mann voted "Yes" + t Ngarbage 0rah; YpaSt♦ Ray Davenport voted "No' i iPt garbage rale -increase .. _!IQ OQ yu 0 • ♦ Thank You Coundkaernber Ray Davenport —You Haw Our Vo{el .C*zun Wach vols Ya' tor Roy OrienPon NO U YIP .IN • • f= 1640........ FOR YOUR INFORMATION: THE ABOVE AD APPEARED IN THE LODI NEWS SENTINEL IN FEBRUARY. 1993. WE ARE A NEW GROUP OF CITIZENS WHO ARE FORMING. WE ARE NON-PARTISAN. NONPROFIT. OUR PURPOSE IS TO BE A COMMITTEE TO DEEP THE CITIZENS INFORMED ON WHA1 OUF< CITY STAFF IS DO1NU AND HOW OUR COUNCILMEME3ERS VO` -E. ON ISSUES. WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN OUR LOMMITIEE. WE ALS() APPRECIATE ANY DONAI IONS i6 HLLP 1F_. WI Tli OUR COSTS_ FOR MORE INFORMATION PLLH_•c Ll_ G t;. ' Li.'/}_• THANK YOU. Print Key Output Page 1 5738551 V2R2M0 920925 S1033707 Display Device User Utility Billing Activity Code: Customer Name: Extra Name: Account Number: H1 CHRIS 02/02/93 12:58:20 KWH Dollar Information KD Mode: INQUIRY MURPHY, JOSEPH M 85.10-46.04 Days Off Peak Partial Peak Peak Totals - 1i'. <'' 'ice,; 4 4t JAN -93 3¢ ($149.15' 5.00 5.00 DEC -92 L61i 572.75 5.00 5.00 NOV-92 531.93 5.00 5.00 OCT -92 Z9 $23.70 5.00 5.00 SEP -92 30 $33.78 5.00 5.00 AUC -92 29 $37.39 $.00 $.00 JUL-92 $31.47 5.00 $.00 JUN -92 S24.1EL $.00 5.00 MAY -92 $28.88 $.00 $.00 APR -92 534.90 5.00 $.00 MAR -92 $47.02 5.00 5.00 FEB -92 $64.57 $.00 $.00 JAN -92 566.38 5.00 $.00 1149.40 572.89 $32.00 $23.75 $33.85 *37.47 $31.54 524.21 528.94 534.98 547.12 $64.69 $66.51 Cmd8=Averages Select Screen: Cmd9=Info Options Cmd7=End Print Key Output 5738SS1 VZRZMO 920925 S1(111707 Display Device User Utility Billing H1 CHRIS Page 1 02/02/93 12:58:13 KWH Usage Information KU Mode: INQUIRY Activity Code: Customer Name: MURPHY, JOSEPH M Extra Name: Account Number: 85.10-46.04 • JAN -93 H DEC -92 • NOV-92 OCT -92 SEP -92 H AUC -92 I JUL-92 • TUN -92 �..i MAY -92 APR -92 MAR -92 PEB-92 H; JAN -92 H. Days Off Peak Partial Peak 34 1,263 675 345 29 255 30 365 29 404 340 261 312 377 477 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 612 626 0 0 Peak Totals 0 1,263 0 675 0 345 0 256 0 365 0 404 0 340 0 261 0 312 0 377 0 477 0 612 0 626 Lmdd=Averages Select Screen: Cmd9=Info Options Cmd7=End J DILLON & MURPHY CONSULTING CML ENGINEERS 1820 W. Kettlemon Lane. Suite E. Lodi. Califoinia 95242 P. O. Box 2180. Lodi. California 95241 (209) 334-6613 • Fax (209) 334-0723 February 25, 1993 FACSIMILE (209) 333-6795 Mr. H. D. Flynn Finance Director City of Lodi 221 W. Pine Street Lodi, CA 95240 Re: Utility Bill Account No. 85.10-46.04 Dear Mr. Flynn: /� This is a ridiculous comparison. In the same meeting of February 23, 1993, I informed you that I am the only single resident in my immediate { vicinity and my home is the smallest home in my tract (whispering Oaks). ` This is an unfair comparison as it would be if I were to ask you to compare my bill with a 600 square foot single person apartment: \\\/ Thirdly, you stated you compared my billing history over the past three years. Again, as I have previously told you, I have not lived here three years. my only other December in this house was December of 1991. Comparing the previous resident's bill with mine is ridiculous, as there was a family of five people living in the House. You also state that December of 1992 was exceptionally cold. Was it four times colder than December, 1991, as my bi11 would indicate? I must respond to the letter you sent me dated February 23, 1993. My initial letter asked you to investigate some past utility billing problems. As you recall, my October/November bill (61 billing days) yielded 675 kilowatt hours while my December bill (34 billing days) yielded 1263 kil- owatt hours. The reason for my concern was obvious, i.e. half as many days had twice as much electricity consumption. --- — -- First, you state that my meter was checked by the City. As I indicated in my meeting of February 23, 1993, with you, Tom Peterson, and flans Hansen, the meter was tested by a technician using a "stopwatch method." By Mr. Hansen's own admission, this was an incorrect technique. I was improperly billed $18.00 by the City for this test. Secondly, you state you compared my bill with my immediate neighbors. Mr. H. D. Flynn February 25, 1993 Page 2 As you and Mr. Peterson stated in our February 23, 1993, meeting, you do not have the authority to adjust a billing error. You both advised me to seek judgment from the City Council which I am prepared to do on March 3, 1993. Just a thought --if my bill were $1,181 instead of $181, would I still be required to go to City Council for adjustment? I think notl Sincerely, `ht.4Lfy Joe Murphy ` JM:db cc: Mr. Philip Pennino Mr. Jack A. Sieglock Mr. Stephen Mann Mr. Randy Snider Mr. Ray Davenport CUY COUNC-11. PHILLIP A PINNING. Mager IA(k A SIICLUCI. Mayor Pro 1 empure 'AY C. DAVENPOk . I11'II1N I MANN 101 IN k !Rauch) SNiI)l k - CITY OF LODI February 23, 1993 Mr. Joe Murphy 1817 Amber Leaf Way Lodi, CA 95242 CITY HALL. 221 WES1 I'INE SIRE E T 1' 0 110X 3t)Ob LODI. CALIFORNIA 95241-191u (2091.33-1-5614 I Al( MY) 111679'. UTILITY BILL ACCOUNT 185.10-46.04 1 HOMAS A PE 11 RSON Cup Manager IFNNItIR M PIIRIN ( ity ( NCM AIt .A 1 1 City Alturrn•/ In response to your concern that the number of kilowatt hours you were charged at your residence in January is incorrect and inconsistent with your past history, I have gathered the following information for your consideration: . The electric meter was tested by the Electric Utility Department and found to be in working order; . I reviewed your electric bills over the last year, compared this information with. your immediate neighbors and found nothing to indicate an error in your billing or the meter readings; . I compared your electric bills for December and January over the last three years with the bills of your neighbors and found your bills to be consistent with these neighbors considering you have an electric heat pump and the cold weather experienced in Lodi during December 1992 and 1990. Accordingly, I have no basis to adjust your bill in whole or part. After extensive discussions with the Electric Utility Department and my Billing staff, I believe that you have been billed correctly. The bill is consistent with the use of an electric heat pump and the weather in December. If you are unsatisfied with my research and decision, you may appeal to the City Manager. Finance Director HDF:ss DILLON & MURPHY CONSULTING CML ENGINEERS 1820 W. Kettleman lane, Suite E. Lodi. California 95242 P. O. Box 2180. Loot. California 95241 (209) 334-6613 • Fax (209) 334-0723 February 12, 1993 FACSIMILE (209) 333-6795 Mr. Dixon Flynn City of Lodi Utility Department 221 West Pine Street Lodi, CA 95240 Re: Utility Bill, Account No. 85.10-46.04 Dear Mr. Flynn: Thank you for your advice based on our telephone conversation of earlier today. As I explained, my utility bill appears to be inaccurate based on my average consumptions over the past 11 years. My past billing period of 61 days yielded a 675 KWH while the bill I am disputing tiad a period of 34 days and a usage of 1263 KWH! My seasonal average for a 30 day period is 600 KWH. I am glad you agreed with me that some- thing must be wrong with my bill. Per your request, I am suggesting my bill be adjusted to be consistent with my normal use for this time of year. I am sure you can see my concern and will act accordingly. I am not paying the bill in question per Mr. Hansen's (City of Lodi Utility Department) suggestion, as he informed me that any late charges will be waived until this matter is resolved. I would appreciate your earliest response and solution. Thank you. Sincerely, oe Murphy JM:db '� I