City Council Minutes 2020 03 31 SP

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City Council Special Meeting Minutes March 31, 2020 Page 2 of 11 Assistant City Manager Hogan gave an update on what the City doing. She noted the packet included information on public health orders, City facilities and services, communications, business assistance, community support, and online resources. She stated that the County order has been suspended as the governor’s order is now in place. She noted government services are considered essential and are continuing. She stated contact information for questions about the order will be available soon. Councilmember Lipton asked how the federal stimulus money is going to be distributed for cities. Mayor Stolzmann noted there is a 500,000 population requirement for direct assistance; cities smaller than that will get funding passed through the State. Public Comment – None. ORDINANCE NO. 1792, SERIES 2020 – AN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDING CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE LOUISVILLE MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING PENALTIES FOR NON-PAYMENT OF WATER CHARGES – 1ST AND FINAL READING – PUBLIC HEARING – Adoption as Emergency Ordinance Mayor Stolzmann introduced the item by title and opened the public hearing. She asked for any disclosures, there were none. City Attorney Kelly stated the governor issued an Executive Order on March 20 that among other things limited public utility disconnections for residents affected by COVID- 19. In the Order the governor directed the Public Utility Commission (PUC) to work with utilities to limit disconnections at this time. The City’s water utility is not required to follow this order as it is not regulated by the PUC, but staff has drafted this ordinance for Council consideration in the event the Council would like to put in place similar types of relief that the Governor outlined in his Order. Adoption of the ordinance would suspend the code provisions for disconnection for nonpayment or partial payment of water charges during the time the City is in a locally declared emergency, late fees would be suspended, and partial payments would be accepted. All charges for water use are still due and will need to be paid in the future. The revenue lost to the City would be the late charges, not the charges for water. Public Comments – None. Mayor Pro Tem Maloney asked that information be made clear on the City’s website as to how persons can apply for assistance for these charges. Councilmember Leh stated the Governor’s order is clear it is meant to provide relief to residents and small businesses. He wondered why this ordinance does not limit help to only residents and small businesses.