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City Council Afinutes <br />May 6, 2013 <br />Page 3 <br />Councilmember Westgaard stated the Council needs more background information in order <br />to complete a review and response to these issues and he suggested a discussion at a <br />worksession meeting. <br />Mr. Barnhart clarified that there are three issues to review: <br />1. The easement, which needs to be addressed between Ella River Municipal Utilities <br />and the property owner. <br />2. A comparison of the rates. He stated the city did complete a rate study in <br />approximately 2006 but the challenge with these studies is that each city's <br />wastewater infrastructure systems are different and have different cost amounts; <br />therefore it can be difficult to compare rates. <br />3. The ratios can be compared. He stated there may be an opportunity to look at the <br />ratio. He stated the city could look at the national model to see if there has been a <br />change in the turns per day ratio. <br />Attorney Beck stated he has looked at the easement issue, and preliminarily Mr. Leadens may <br />be correct. <br />Councilmember Motin stated this issue can't be addressed during the open forum because <br />Council needs more information in order to make a decision. He further noted that the Met <br />Council may not charge for water because they may not regulate water. <br />Council consensus was to do a history of the SAC /WAC charges over the last 10 -15 years <br />along with a comparison of some neighboring cities. <br />Attorney Beck explained that the Met Council does not provide water and therefore does <br />not charge WAC fees. He further stated fees are based on usage. He stated the rates are <br />based on the volume of the use. <br />Mr. Leadens questioned the up -front fees. <br />It was noted these fees are used to pay for the infrastructure of the systems, such as for <br />trunk mains and water towers. <br />Mr. Portner stated staff will bring this discussion back to the next worksession. He stated <br />background information will be brought forward for both the SAC and WAC fees <br />Walter Cleath, 17241 Yale Street - Asked about Item 8.2 and its removal from the agenda. <br />Mr. Barnhart stated the request was redrawn by the neighbor who requested the lot split. <br />Awards /Recognitions /Presentations <br />There were no awards /recognitions /presentations. <br />7.1 Forgivable Loan Applications <br />Mr. Wilfahrt presented the staff report for all three items. <br />