City Council Minutes 2020 03 31 SP

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City Council Special Meeting Minutes March 31, 2020 Page 6 of 11 Mayor Pro Tem Maloney stated this is a quality of life project. We all want to have it done, but it is not a priority if we are in an economic downturn. He supports suspending the project until further notice. Councilmember Lipton agreed it should be deferred to next year. Councilmember Brown suggested saving this money for other uses now. Other members agreed. Mayor Stolzmann stated that the project is important for both fixing irrigation loses and helping environmentally, but there is consensus to defer it at this time. She added that when it comes back she would like to see the number of trees removed to be reconsidered and also not to concrete over some medians. Members agreed to suspend the project for this year and reconsider it at a later date. Roll Call Vote: Unanimous vote to defer the project until a later date. RESOLUTION NO. 28, SERIES 2020 – A RESOLUTION POSTPONING WASTEWATER AND STORMWATER RATE INCREASES Mayor Stolzmann introduced the item and noted Council approved these increases a few weeks ago but she supports reconsidering that decision. She noted at this time of the economic uncertainty giving people a rate increase, even a small one, sends the wrong message. Director Kowar stated staff agrees with reconsidering that decision. He stated the plan has been to smooth rate increases over time and that is why this year’s increases were incremental. However given the current situation and the fact the Utility Fund is in good shape right now staff recommends deferring this increase. He stated if this increase is deferred there will be slightly higher increases in the future to cover the cost of debt and capital projects. Public Comments – None. Councilmember Dickinson stated he understands not wanting to stress residents, but he feels the City should go ahead with the increase as the fund has to pay for itself. The increase is nominal and it is needed to keep the Utility Fund whole. He wants people to understand this is the cost of water and given the earlier agreement to not charge late fees we should continue with this. Councilmember Lipton agreed stating this is only a feel good item and is not helping those who need it now. He would prefer to keep the smoothing increases to meet our costs. If the City wants to help people that need help we should increase the funding the City gives to Sister Carmen to help with utility bills.