City Council Minutes 1982 05 18 - Laserfiche WebLink

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5/18/82 Page -18- if the funds are needed. She hoped that he could view the facility so that he would be comfortable with the decision Council would make. Morris stated she was very sensitive to the senior citizens and hopefully Council members can review the situation where only one person is living in a house - that perhaps some allowances can be made, by amending the schedule to address that situation. Councilman Leary Stated that the money that has been trans- ferred from the Water Utility Fund had come from tap fees. Concurred with Administrator Wurl that funds for operating the water system have been insufficient and has also been supplemented from tap fees. The tap fees paid by the developers is for the cost of the water that is needed to service the residences and for the cost of the sewer plant to serve them. He felt if these fees were being used for police salaries through transfers - this would be a tax instead of a fee, and was of the opinion this should not be done. Therefore these increased rates would alleviate this situation. Mayor Meier closed the public hearing. ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE #760 Councilman Cummings moved, Councilman Ferrera seconded that Ordinance #760 - Water and Wastewater Rate Increase as amended be adopted. Amendment - Councilwoman Morris Moved that Ordinance #760 be further amended that those Senior Citizens that are on fixed incomes, who own one home and are living in that home, only have to pay the minimum fee rate. Seconded by Councilman Cummings. Councilman Cussen Commented he saw some real inequities with the amendment DB a senior citizen w: given a fixed rate could use 30,000 or 40,000 gallons of water, not taking into account consumption. He felt conservation should be encouraged if the amendment is adopted. Councilman Leary Commented felt there would be real difficulties determining if a senior citizen was on a fixed income. It was his suggestion that per- haps rates only be assessed over 15,000 gallons. Leary inquired of Attorney Rautenstraus if he could forsee a legal problem with the amend- ment.