HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-11-19 Public hearingNOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Notice is hereby given that the City Council
of Iowa City will hold a public hearing on the
loth day of September, 1996, at 7:00 p.m. in
the Council Chambers of the City of Iowa City,
410 E. Washington Street, Iowa City, Iowa,
regarding the intent to convey + 15.12 acres
of land and lease :1:7.13 acreas of land
adjacent to the Elks Club southwest property
line and south of Foster Road within an area
commonly known as the "Peninsula" to the
Elks Club with the City retaining a covenant
limiting the use of chemicals and pesticides.
Persons interested in expressing their views
concerning this matter, either verbally or in
writing, will be given the opportunity to be
heard at the above-mentioned time and place.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Notice is hereby given that a public hearing
will be held by the City Council of the city of
Iowa City, Iowa, in the Council Chambers at
the Civic Center at the regular scheduled
Council meeting at 7:00 p.m. on the November
19, 1996, for the purpose of hearing
comments for or against the amending of Title
3 of the City Code entitled "Finances, Taxation
& Fees," Chapter 4 on City utilities to increase
or change the rates for fees and charges for
potable water use and service, wastewater
treatment works user charges, and solid waste
disposal. Information on the proposed rate
increase or changes is available at the City
Clerk's Office and the Director of Finance.
MARIAN K. KARR, CITY CLERK
City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
Date: November 14, 1996
To:
From:
Re:
City Council
City Manager
Don Yucuis, Finance Director
Summary of Changes to Ordinance Amending Title 3, Chapter 4, Section 4 entitled
"Wastewater Treatment Works User Charges"
Attached is a draft of an ordinance incorporating changes to Title 3, Chapter 4, Section 4 entitled
"Wastewater Treatment Works User Charges." The changes include an increase to wastewater
user fees of 10% for billings on or after March 1, 1997.
The ordinance also includes 10% increases for the monthly surcharge for Biochemical Oxygen
Demand and Suspended Solids and the monthly minimum for unmetered use and per lot for
manufactured housing park. The deposit fee for combined City water, sanitary sewer and solid
waste collection was reduced for residential owner accounts from $75 to $0 and for residential
tenant accounts from $100 to $80.
ORDINANCE NO.
ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 3, 'CITY FINANCES, TAXATION AND FEES," CHAPTER 4, "SCHEDULE
OF FEES, RATES, CHARGES, BONDS, FINES AND PENALTIES" OF THE CITY CODE, TO INCREASE
WASTEWATER SERVICE CHARGES AND FEES IN 10WA CITY, IOWA.
WHEREAS, pursuant to Chapter 384, Code of Iowa {1993), the City of Iowa City is authorized to
establish and provide for the collection of rates to pay for the City's utility systems, including the City's
wastewater treatment facility system; and
WHEREAS, wastewater rates, which were last increased in 1996, are proposed to be increased to
generate adequate revenues to pay the costs of operation, maintenance, necessary expansion and debt
service for the City's wastewater treatment facilities; and
WHEREAS, the City of Iowa City is required to comply with federal wastewater treatment standards,
and is planning to make improvements to double the treatment capacity of the existing South
Wastewater Treatment Plant, and to construct a wastewater interce, ptor line to connect the two
wastewater treatment plants; and
WHEREAS, wastewater rates for fees and charges will fund these projects over time; and
WHEREAS, the Iowa City City Council proposes to increase wastewater user fees by 10% for billings
on or after March 1, 1997 to finance the necessary improvements.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF IOWA CITY, IOWA:
SECTION I. AMENDMENT. Title 3, Chapter 4, Section 4, entitled "Wastewater Treatment Works User
Charges," of the City Code should be and is hereby amended by repealing Section 3-4-4 and enacting
in lieu thereof a new section 3-4-4 entitled "Wastewater Treatment Works User Charges" to read as
follows:
Ordinance No.
Page 2
3-4-4: WASTEWATER TREATMENT WORKS USER CHARGES:
Sanitary Sewer Service Charges;
Description of Fee, Charge, Bond,
Fine or Penalty
Minimum Monthly Charge (includes the First
200 Cu. Ft. of Water Used)
Monthly Charge for Each Additional 100 Cu. Ft.
of Water Used
Monthly Surcharge
BOD (per pound)
SS (per pound)
Monthly Minimum, Unmetered User
Manufactured Housing Park, Monthly M!nimum
Per Lot
Holding Tank Waste
Holding Tank Waste Hauler - Annual Permit
Deposit Fee for Combined City Water and/or Sani-
tary Sewer and/or Solid Waste Collection Accounts
Residential owner account. per combined
residential service for City water and/or
sanitary sewer and/or solid waste collection
service
Residential tenant account, per combined
residential service for City water and/or
sanitary sewer and/or solid waste collection
service
Delinquency Deposit Fee for Combined City Water
and/or Sanitary Sewer and/or Solid Waste Collection
Accounts
Amount of Fee,
Charge, Bond,
Fine or Penalty
$10.76
2.63
.24
.18
24.26
24.26
$.03 per gallon
$800 per year
$0
$80.00
An amount
equal to an
average two-
month billing
for the delin-
quent account
City Code
Chapter, Article or
Section Reference
14-3A-4
14-3A-4
14-3A-4
14-3A-4
14-3A-4
14-3A-4
1 4-3A-4
14-3A-4
14-3A-7
14-3A-§
Ordinance No.
Page 3
SECTION II. REPEALER. All ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with the prowsions m
Ordinance are hereby repealed.
SECTION III. SEVERABILITY. If any section, provisior. or part of the Ordinance shall be adjudged
be invalid or unconstitutional, such adjudication shall not affect the validity of the Ordinance
whole or any section, provision or part thereof not adjudged invalid or unconstitutional.
SECTION IV. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Ordinance shall be in effect after its final passage, approva:
publication, tO be collected as set forth in § 14-3A-4, City Code.
Passed and approved this __ day of __, 1996.
MAYOR
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK
Approved by
City Attorney's Office
Date
City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
Date: November 14, 1996
To:
From:
Re:
City Council
City Manager
Don Yucuis, Finance Director ,~.~
Ordinance Amending Title 3, Chapter 4, Section 5 entitled "Solid Waste Disposal" Charges
and Fees
Below is a summary of changes to the proposed ordinance to amend the schedule of fees, rates,
charges, bonds, fines, penalties in Title 3, Chapter 4, Section 5, "Solid Waste Disposal" of the City
Code. The changes have been bolded in the ordinance.
"Yard Waste Collection Fee" (14-3H-8C2) - the charge per yard waste bag of $1 includes
state sales tax. The City is required to charge sales tax on the sale of yard waste bags.
ao
"Collection of Large Items Fees" (14-3H-9B1,2) - tire collection has been clarified to
charge a fee for pickup of $3 per tire and $6 per tire and rim.
"Deposit Fee for Combined Water, Sewer and Solid Waste Collection Accounts" - changed
to reflect a $0 (currently $75) deposit for residential owner accounts and $80 (currently
$100) for residential tenant accounts.
Do
"Disposal of Large Items Fees (14-3H-10D1) - appliance disposal fees: residential per item
disposed fee is $12.50 (at the landfill scale house).
"Landfill Use Fees" (14-3H-10G) minimum fee in lieu of tonnage fees was reduced to 160
pounds or less (currently 15% or 300 pounds). The fee for Iowa City premises subject to
a property tax on City owned property is $4.00 and the charge for all other users is $4.25.
The minimum fee was $7.27 and $8.00 respectively.
Please call me if you have any questions.
Prepared by: Donald J. Yucuis, Finance Director. 410 E. Washington St., Iowa City, IA 52240 319-356.5052
ORDINANCE NO.
ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 3, "CITY FI-
NANCES, TAXATION AND FEES," CHAPTER 4,
"SCHEDULE OF FEES, RATES, CHARGES,
BONDS, FINES AND PENALTIES" OF THE CITY
CODE, TO CHANGE AND CLARIFY CERTAIN
SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL CHARGES AND
FEES IN IOWA CITY, IOWA.
WHEREAS, pursuant to Chapter 384, Code
of Iowa (1995), the City of Iowa City is autho-
rized to establish and provide for the collection
of rates to pay for the City's utility systems,
including the City's solid waste disposal; and
WHEREAS, solid waste disposal fees and
charges need to be corrected.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF IOWA
CITY, IOWA:
SECTION I. AMENDMENT. Title 3, Chapter 4,
Section 5, entitled "Solid Waste Disposal," of
the City Code should be and is hereby amended
by repealing Section 3-4-§ and enacting in lieu
thereof a new section 3-4-5 entitled "Solid
Waste Disposal" to read as follows:
Description of Fee, Charge,
Bond, Fins, or Penalty Charge
Solid Waste Permit Fees,
City Code Section 14-3H.
?Cl
Annual permit, per year
Special permit, per year
Yard Waste Collection
Fees, City Code Section
14-3H-8C2
Per bag sold, includes state $1 .OO
sales tax
Annual stamp, per $20.00
container
$100.O0
$800.O0
Ordinance No.
Page 2
Untreated wood waste
(began July 31, 1995)
Collection of Large Items
frees, City Code Section
14.3H-981,2
Appliance collection. per
item collected
Bulky solid waste
(began July 31, 1995)
Tire collection
Residential Solid Waste
Collection Fees, City Code
Section 14.3A-4,
Per dwelling unit, and two
rooming units, per month
Solid waste
Curbs/de recycling, per
unit, City Code Section
14-3H-9H
Deposit Fee Combined for
City Water and/or Sanitary
Sewer and/or Solid Waste
Collection Accounts,
Section 14-3A-5
Residential owner account,
per combined residential
service for City water
and/or sanitary sewer
and/or solid waste
collection serwce
$ 0.00
$12.00
$10.00/stop
and one
item.
$5.00/additi
onal items.
$3.00 per
tire; $6.00
tire and rim
$11.55
$8.75 mini-
mum, in-
cludes 2
containers
per week.
Additional
containers
$1.00/
container.
$2.80
$0.00
Ordinance No.
Page 3
Residential tenant account,
per combined residential
service for City water
and/or sanitary sewer
and/or solid waste
collection service
Delinquency Deposit for
Combined Water and/or
Sanitary Sewer and/or
Solid Waste Collection
Service, City Code Section
14-3A-6
Special Wastes Disposal
Fees, City Code Section
14-3H-10B
Disposal of special
wastes
Minimum fee
Disposal of Large Items
Fees (See Also Collection
of Large Items Fees
Above), Section
14-$H- IOD 1
Appliance disposal fees:
Commercial per item
disposed
Residential per item
disposed
Tire disposal fee, City Code
Section 14-3H-lOD2
Per pound
Subject to minimum fee
Untreated lumber
Landfill Use Fees, City
Code Section 14-3H- lOG
Solid waste from Iowa City
premises subject to a prop-
erty tax and City-owned
property
$80.00
An amount
equal to an
average 2
month billing
for the delin-
quent ac-
count
2 times the
landfill use
fees in this
section
2 times the
landfill use
fee for one
ton
$ 1.00/cu.
ft.
$12.50
(at landfill
scale house)
$0.07
$3.00
.~30.00/ton
Ordinance No.
Page 4
Total landfill fee per ton
(includes State fee per
ton)
All other solid waste
Total landfill fee per ton
(includes State fee per
ton)
Minimum fee in lieu of
tonnage fees (160 lbs. or
less)
$48.50
$53.50
Solid waste from Iowa City
premises subject to a prop-
er[y t~ and City owned
property
All other solld waste
$4.00
$4.25
SECTION II. REPEALER. All ordinances and
parts of ordinances in conflict with the provi-
sions of this Ordinance are hereby repealed.
SECTION III. SEVERABILITY. If any section,
provision or part of the Ordinance shall be
adjudged to be invalid or unconstitutional, such
adjudication shall not effect the validity of the
Ordinance as a whole or any section, provision
or part thereof not adjudged invalid or unconsti-
tutional.
SECTION IV. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Ordi-
nance shall be in effect after its final passage,
approval and publication, to be collected as set
forth in §14-3A-4, City Code.
Passed and approved this __ day of
,19
MAYOR
ATTEST:
CiTY CLERK
App~:~vad by ~ , .
City Attorney s Office
Date
City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
Date: November 14, 1996
To:
F~om:
Re:
City Council
City Manager
Don Yucuis, Finance Director (~
Summary of Changes to Ordinance Amending Title 3, Chapter 4, Section 3 entitled
"Potable Water Use and Service"
The current proposed ordinanc6 reflects a 20% increase in the water user fee for both minimum
and use past the minimum for billings after March 1, 1997. The City Council has in front of them
a schedule showing various options that could be implemented to comply with the 20% cash
accumulation policy that is in place. Below is a summary of the proposed changes to Title 3,
Chapter 4, Section 3, "Potable Water Use and Service."
"Meter Charge": Staff has added a section in the Code to charge for the installation of a
new meter to incorporate telephone reading of water usage. This fee is for the meter and
interface unit to allow the Water Division to do reads via telephone transmission. The
Water Division will determine who will receive the new units.
"Water Service Charges" -- The minimum monthly charge for water service for the first
200 cubic feet or less were increased by 20% as well as the usage past the minimum.
"Delinquent Water Service Account Fee"--The $3 administrative delinquent water service
account fee has been eliminated.
"Deposit Fee for Combined City Water and/or Sanitary Sewer and/or Solid Waste Collec-
tion Accounts" -- The deposit fee for residential owner accounts are to be reduced from
$75 to $0 and residential tenant accounts decreased from $100 to $80.
"Deposit Fee for Solid Waste Collection Only Accounts" -- The deposit fee of $50 for solid
waste collection only accounts has been eliminated.
"Fees and Charges for Various Consumer Services" -- The fees and charges for various
consumer services remains the same except for the elimination of the $30 fee for inspect-
ing and removing a single-purpose water meter and the $20 fee service fee for resetting
or reading a water meter or for restarting service.
This ordinance is a draft based on City Council direction from the October 21, 1996 work session.
The City Council will need to recommend final fee increase changes after the public hearing and
any changes to the ordinance will be made at that time. Please call me if you have any ques-
tions.
Prepared by: Don Yucuis, Finance Director, 410 E. Washington St., Iowa City, IA 62240 (319) 356-5052
ORDINANCE NO.
ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 3, "CITY FINANCES, TAXATION AND FEES,"
CHAPTER 4, 'SCHEDULE OF FEES, RATES, CHARGES, BONDS, FINES AND
PENALTIES" OF THE CITY CODE, TO INCREASE WATER SERVICE CHARGES AND
FEES IN IOWA CITY, IOWA.
WHEREAS, pursuant to Chapter 384, Coda of Iowa (1993), the City of Iowa City is authorized to
establish and provide for the collection of rates to pay for the City's utility systems, including the C~ty's
water supply and treatment system; and
WHEREAS, water rates, which were last increased in 1996, are proposed to be increased to generate
adequate revenues to pay the costs of operation, maintenance, necessary expansion and debt serwce
for the City's potable water supply and treatment system; and
WHEREAS. the City of Iowa City is required to comply with federal safe drinking water standards, and
is planning to construct a new water supply and treatment facility and distribution system; and
WHEREAS, water rates for fees and charges will fund this major project over time; and
WHEREAS, the Iowa City City Council proposes to increase water user fees by 20% for billings on or
after March 1, 1997 to finance the necessary improvements.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CiTY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF IOWA CITY, IOWA:
SECTION I. AMENDMENT. Title 3, Chapter 4, Section 3, entitled "Potable Water Use and Serwce,"
of the City Code is hereby amended by:
a. Repealing the subsection entitled "Meter Charge" in Section 3-4-3 and adding a new secUon
entitled "Meter Charge" to read as follows:
Meter Charge fNonrefundable) f 14-3A-4)
Meter Size
(Inches] Fete
Meter - Not a Meter Interface Unit (MIU)
~/stO ~ $70.00
% 100.00
1 134.00
I ½ 286.00
2 392.00
4 1434.00
6 2782.00
Meter Charge (Nonrefundable)(14.3A-4)
Meter Interface Unit (MIU)
Meter Size
[Inches) Fee
~/8 to ~ $180.00
~A 210.00
1 244.O0
I ½ 396.00
2 502.00
Ordinance No.
Page 2
Repealing the subsection entitled "Water Service Charges" in Section 3-4-3 and adding
a new section entitled "Water Services Charges" to read as follows:
Water Service Charges (14-3A-4)
Minimum monthly user charges
for water service for the first 200
cubic feet or less of water used,
based on meter size
Amount of Fee, Charge,
Bond, Fine or Penalty
Meter Size March I, 1997
(Inches] Charge
~,'8 $10.25
~ 11.22
1 13.25
1 ¥2 26.41
2 35.50
3 65.58
4 114.43
6 230.29
The minimum charges for larger meters will be based on comparative costs to a 6" meter. The
minimum monthly charge for an account holder who furnishes and maintains the meter at the account
holder's cost will be based on the minimum for a %" meter, regardless of the size.
There will be no minimum monthly charge for a single-purpose 'water meter from November to March
for those months during which no water is used.
Monthly user charges for water in
excess of 200 cu. ft. per month for
dual purpose water meters
Single-purpose meter charges for water
in excess of 200 cu. ft. per month
Returned check/automatic bank debit for
payment of water services
Discount for combined accounts enrolled
in sure pay, per billing
Monthly
Usage '
[Cu. Ft.I
201 to
3,000
cu. ft.
Over
3,000
cu.ft.
Over 200
Ch,!r. ge
$10.00
1.00
March I, 1992
Charqe
$2.40/100 cu. ft.
1.72/100 cu. ft.
$2.40/100 cu. ft.
Repealing in its entirety subsection entitled "Delinquent Water Service Account Fee"
(14-3A-7) in Section 3-4-3.
Repealing subsection entitled "Deposit Fee for Combined City Water and/or Sanitary
Sewer and/or Solid Waste Collection Accounts" in Section 3-4-3, and adding a new
subsection entitled "Deposit Fee for Combined City Water and/or Semtary Sewer and/or
Solid Waste Collection Accounts" to read as follows:
Ordinance No.
Page 3
Deposit Fee for Combined City Water and/or Sanitary
Sewer and/or Solid Waste Collection Accounts (14-3A-5)
Residential owner account, per combined residen-
tial service for City water and/or sanitary sewer
and/or solid waste collection service
Residential tenant account, per combined residen-
tial service for City water and/or sanitary sewer
and/or solid waste collection service
Commercial account
$0
$80.00
An amount equal to an average
two-month billing for commer-
cial service for City water
and/or sanitary sewer service
Repealing in its entirety, subsection entitled "Deposit Fee for Solid Waste Collection
Only Accounts" (14-3A-5).
Repealing the subsection entitled "Fees and Charges for Various Consumer Services"
in Section 3-4-3, and adding a new subsection entitled "Fees and Charges for Various
Consumer Services" to read as follows:
Fees and Charges for Various Consumer Services
(Various sections in Title 14, Chapter 3, Article C)
Extension of Major Feeder Lines (Oversizinq)
Cost is $354.OO/acre
Installation and Connection Fees
Size(Inches) Cost(PerLinearFoot)
6 $18.00
8 20.00
10 24.00
12 29.70
16 39.40
Reconnection of discontinued
service
Service Fees
Fee During Normal
Working I/ours
$20.00
Fee After Normal
Working Hours
$40.00
Posting fee for shutting off water
in collection procedure
Check leaky water meters
Frozen water meters
$20.00
No charge
$20,00, plus cost of
meter repair
Not done after normal
working hours
No charge
$40.00. plus cost of
meter repair
Ordinance No.
Page 4
Fee During Normal
Working Hours
Fee After Normal
Working Hours
Shut-off of water service at curb
and check for exterior leaks
No charge
$40.00, plus hourly rate
for time over 2 hours
Broken hydrant
Location of water main for other
utilities
Repair cost
No charge
$40.00, plus repair
No charge
Location of City owned water main
for private enterprise
Check water meter accuracy at
consumer's request
Annual fire hydrant fee for inspec-
tion and operation of fire hydrants
which are privately owned or
owned by other governmental
agencies
No charge
$35.00
If meter is found to be
recording accurately
$50.00
$40.00, plus hourly rate
for time over 2 hours
Not done after normal
working hours
Not done after normal
working hours
If service is requested outside normal working hours, a $30.00 after-hour fee shall be charged in
addition to the normal working hour fee. In addition, when service time after hours exceeds 2 hours,
an additional charge will be added to cover equipment expense and actual employee wages, including
overtime. The Water Service Division's normal working hours are 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. daily.
SECTION II. REPEALER. All ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with the provisions of th~s
Ordinance are hereby repealed.
SECTION III. SEVERABILITY. If any section, provision or part of the Ordinance shall be adjudged to
be invalid or unconstitutional, such adjudication shall not affect the validity of the Ordinance as a
whole or any section, provision or part thereof not adjudged invalid or unconstitutional.
SECTION IV. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Ordinance shall he in effect after its final passage, approval and
publication, to be collected as set forth in §14-3A-4, City Code.
Passed and approved this day of , 1996.
MAYOR
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK
Approved by
City Attorney's Office
Date
HOME IILDERS
,A. ssoCIATION OF IOWA CITY
P.O. Box 3
Iowa City, Iowa
12hone:(211 9] ~51-533lB
F= ~ x : (:2) 1 lB) 3~B-/-gB2~:~
November 19, 1996
Mayor Naomi Novick and Council Members
City 'of Iowa City
410 E Washington Street
lowa City., Iowa 52240
RE: Inbound Meter Reading Systems
Dear Mayor and Council Members:
Speaking for the Home Builders Association of Iowa City I would like the council to
consider three main points.
1. The Home Builders Association currently co-sponsored with the City of Iowa City a
Housing Forum on October 23, 1996. The focus of this forum was to brainstorm on the
affordability of all types of housing--new and existing. Our association agreed to co-
sponsor the forum, assisted financially and had ten members in attendance.
Three weeks after that meeting The City of Iowa City Water Division addressed our
membership about the inbound water meter reading systems (MIU's). We were told by
Ed Moreno and his staff that they were proposing that the cost of all new MIU's on new
home construction be incurred by the home builder and ultimately the home owner. The
home builder currently pays $70.00 for the .meter and is now being asked to pay an
additional $110.00 for the unit. Not includei~in that cost are materials and installation
which would be another $25-$50, totalling $150 plus. In our minds, this is yet another
obstacle toward offering affordable housing in this community.
2.In reference to a memo, dated November 14, 1996, from Ed Moreno the Iowa City
Water Division, the city currently has 19,000 accounts that city plans to incur the cost of
retrofitting. If each unit is $110.00 and you add the cost of labor and labor burden the
cost could easily be $200.00 per unit. If you take $200 x 19,000 accounts, the total cost
would be approximately 3,800,000 or even higher. Pay back on this system could easily
affiliated with
NATIONALASSOCIATION OF HOME BUILDERS
& HO1V~E BUILI~ERS ASSOCIATION OF IOWA'
Page 2.
Iowa City Council
November 19, 1996
be 40 years or more. Based on technology and how it is rapidly changing, the City may
want to consider if this is a good business decision. A letter from the City to their
customers indicates that the goal of these new systems is to provide better more cost-
effective service to customers. Our association does not see this system as cost-effective.
3.Our association has made contact with the water divisions in Cedar Rapids and Des
Moines. Cedar Rapids is currently reviewing this type of .system but is not comfortable
with the current technology. Des Moines .does have inbound and outbound systems that
service 29,000 accounts. They feel that this is a good system based on the size of their
community which is 193,965 people. Iowa City's population is 59,735. Both depmtment'
heads from those two communities indicated that the cost of these units is not and would
not be incurred by the contractor, but viewed it as a city capital expenditure.
The City is proposing raising water rates 20% and sewer rates 10% by March of 1997. Is
it time that we take a serious look at how our taxpayer money is being spent and if the
money is available to spend on new technology? I believe it is and we owe it to the
citizens of this community.
I thank you for your time. I have enclosed with my position letters from builders in
opposition of at the very least shifting the cost of new units to the general contractor.
Sincerely,
President
u,.i¢,.m~ o.~:14 y,~.x 21~ 251 12],5
Builders
Tom Bocker~tcde
3266 Lynden HeighU Rd~
?oum Cit~, Iowa 52240
'319) 338-0264
November 18, ] 996
Cit~ Corral
Cit7 of Iowa City
410 Ee~t Washington Street
Iowa City, IA 52240
It has come to my attention that the City oflowa City is proposing *.o in~tall art
automatic w~ter memr reading system. The following is my ~mdersta. nding of the
me,er rotefface umt
approximate cost or,he ' ' ' ' '
The base MIU cos1 is $110. If you add. ;he eo,t of installing a phone jack ($25 to
$50) and label (2 semic~ workers, 1 ho~r ~¢h - 2 x $30 per hour) plus the cost of
transportation ar, d tools needed for this service, tM to~ cost including installation for
one lv~ is approximately t;200 to $250.
Per Ed Moreno, the city has apprommately 19,000 accounts. This computes an
approximate ~st to the city ~xpayers of $3,800,000 to $4,750,000. Is ~ere an
additional cost in a computer system? Also, FA Moreno has stated the bakeries in the
MI'U's will only last 8 to 10 ye~s. At lhat point in xime another paid cily employee
would have to install new ban, eries al an additional cost. This new meter r~ting
system could ~asily cosa ~e ¢it~ taxpayen Five IVdllion Dollars. - All ~his to replace two
meter readers ~i~ieh, at most, cost the city $100,00t3 a year (including salary, benefits.
,$anst~rmtion, etc.)?
Looking at these figures from a business ~int of view it ,sill, at a minimum. take
at least 50 years to come clos, to br~.king even. By ~n91uding tb~ ~terest to be p~d on
the inibal capi~ to p~ch~e all 19,000 ~-~1 ~e ci~ ever br~ even???
Sm~rdL
Tom Beckonsted!
B & H Builders
cc: Ed Moreno, Wa~¢r Division
~uatity Custom Hom~s · Rervmdeling . ,u
NOV 19 '96 89:34 F-RP~T2 COHSTRUCTIOH CO., INC.
THIRD ~TR~I;T ·
CONSTRUCTION CO,
!
P.O. BOX ~09 $, IOW& CITY', IOWA
P'A.X 3~ 9
III~HON~ ,~$ 9 3~'79~'l
November 19, 1~6
Cit~ of Iowa City
410 Ea;t W~on Str~
Io~ ~, Io~
52240
~~ m~. I ~ objcct m ~ CiV ~ Iowa Ci~ ~ ~ ho~ c~ m
cid, I f~ ~ C~ ~I~ ~ sh~ ~ f~ i~.
E ~ ~ nm ~ b~d for ~ ~j~ I ~ ~ ~d~ ~ ~ ~ ~b~.
P.S. This is anoih~ ~'xampl~ of why w~ ~n't pr0vid~ affor4abl. ho~i~18.
~o.w.~obir}son
November 19, 1996
Ci.ly of Iowa Uity
410 East Washington St.
Iowa City, Ia
Dear Sir/Madam:
This letter is 1o expre,,~s my objections to the proposed new In-Bound Meter Reading
Device. I. can see no justification for this additional increase to the cost of living
and builCl~ng in Iowa City.
With water rates already skyrocketing, :t seems to me you should be looking for
ways to be cost conservalive, instead oi needless expendit'ares for questionable
technologies.
This proposal is also another example of City, imposed challenges to building
affordable housing in Iowa City.
Sincerely,
DW Robinson Builder, Inc.
5d5 E Washington Street
Iowc Cih/. Iowa 522a0
3l~-35i-7797
fOl'.qL P. 01
Date: 11/14/96
To: Joan - Home Builders Association
CITY OF I0 WA CITY
From: Ed Moreno - Iowa City Water Division
Re: Automatic Telephone In-Bound Meter Reading System
The Iowa City Water Division currently has approximately 19,000 accounts. We have
two meter readers that read these accounts monthly. New metered account growth has
averaged about 444 per year for the past twelve years.
We have investigated several alternative automatic meter.reading technologies. The
in-bound telephone meter reading system was chosen to enable our staff to continue to
meet the meter reading demands of our growing community. This system enables us to
read water meters over the telephone lines without coming to a home or business.
The Water Division will begin installing meter interface units (MIU's) on existing homes
beginning late November, 1996. On March 1, 1997, MIU's will be required on any new
metered accounts that have not had a final meter inspection completed. There will be an
increase in the existing meter charges to include the cost of the new meter and the MIU
unit. Approximately 1600 units will be installed in the first year of this project.
The existing meter process will remain the same. But in order to facilitate the telephone
connection for this type of system, the contractor or their agent will be required to install
a separate RJ-I 1 phone jack, tied into the existing'customer telephone line, near the meter
during building construction. The outside reading device will no longer need to be
installed.
This new system creates the opportunity for s~me significant changes in the operation of
the meter reading system. The Water Division will ntilize this system to provide the best,
most efficient and cost effective service. We welcome an, y suggestioas. questions, or
concerns from ybur organization to assist us in meeting our goals.
CITY OF IOWA CITY
Dear Customer:
To provide better, more cost effective service to our customers, the Iowa City Water
Division is installing an automatic meter reading system. This system enables us to read
water meters over the telephor~e lines without coming to your home or business.
There will be no interruption to your telephone service. Meters are usually read during
the night hours. If you should happen to pick up your telephone while the meter is being
read, our computer will automatically hang up and you will get a dial toue. If you are on
the telephone when we attempt to read the meter, our computer will receive a busy signal
and will try again later.
Your neighborhood is the first area that we will be installing these devices. Access to
your property is required to install this system and the installation could take an hour. In
order to facilitate the telephone connection for this system a phone jack and 6" x 6"
automatic read umt will be placed in the floor joists. If the floor joists are covered, by a
finished ceiling then these units will be placed in an inconspicuotm area.
Two service people will be required to complete this installation work. They chn be
easily identified by their City of Iowa City uniforms and will provide a picture ID when
requested.
Please call 356-5160 between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Monday
through Friday to schedule an appointment.
We will also be happy to answer any questi~rrs-~,ou may have. Thank you for your
assistance.
Sincerely
Jude Moss
Customer Services Coordinator