2003-11-17 Regular - Laserfiche WebLink

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Session 1901 November 17, 2003 the Council. Mr. Wagner expressed concern that the $28.00 lateral sewer connection fee, due to be increased to $50.00 at the time of the February election, could become a big problem if the measure is not passed. He urged the City Manager not to commit General Revenue Funds to support this program, contingent upon an increase resulting from the forthcoming election. The City budget cannot support this program and he urged the City Manager to proceed with caution. Mr. Lieberman "piggy-backed" on Mr. Wagner's comment, pointing out that experience resulting from the implementation of this program and the prognosis for the future, left him wondering if the $50.00 fee would be adequate to cover costs. He asked Mr. Ollendorff if there would be enough money, based upon his experience and reflection over the matter. Mr. Ollendorff agreed with Mr. Wagner's comments and said that he would be cautious about using General Fund monies to subsidize this program. In answer to Mr. Lieberman's question, Mr. Ollendorff said that in his experience the $50.00 fee is adequate. The "safety-valve" is a series of decisions as to how much to pay, made by Council for each repair, from time to time, as the need arises. If the City has lots of money, 90 per cent of the costs of a broken sewer can be met; if there is not much money, it is then necessary to increase the deductible and increase the co- payment, effectively paying less for each repair. This measure allows the City to operate within the $28.00 to $50.00 fee range. Mr. Sharpe noted that currently there is a co-payment and a deductible along with the $28.00 fee. He asked if, with the increase of the fee to $50.00, the co-payment and deductible would remain in place. Mr. Ollendorff replied that he thinks a reduction in co- payment is possible, although it is a Council decision. He advised that once the $50.00 fee is adopted, the deductible and co-payment should remain until: 1) the advances are repaid, and 2) the reserves of the sewer-lateral fee are increased. Once that is achieved, it is time to reduce the co-payment, from 20 per cent to 15 per cent. He advised not reducing the fee at first, but waiting until the fund has increased. Then, Mr. Wagner added to Mr. Sharpe's comment by noting that in addition to the deductible and the co-payment, there is a "cap" or maximum amount we pay, which provides another parameter for variation. AGENDA ITEM #3- 24-hour Laundromat at 7200 Balson The City Council has been petitioned to approve 24-hour laundromat operation at 7200 Balson Avenue. The applicant meets the requirements of the recently adopted code amendment except that apparently it is not 100 feet distant from reisential property to the south. Council may request preparationof a bill to amend the distance requirement. University City's Comprehensive Plan policy is to protect residential neighbourhood against nudo noise and nuisance eactivity sometimes associated with commercial properties. Within that policy the City Council must determine the most appropriate Page 4