WORK SESSION
For a variety of reasons, the August Utility Bill pertaining to 296 Sussex Avenue was not paid in a timely manner and incurred a late fee. When the account was paid, it was not "paid in full" because the check tendered did not include the $25 late fee. The check for what would have been the appropriate amount was written prior to, but not received by the City until after, the account was in a late status.
By the time the September bills came out, the account was still overdue and a new check was issued including the amounts due for both August and September, resulting in a credit on the account, but not sufficient to cover the cost of two late fees ($50).
Obie Rentals contends the credit balance "should" have covered the previous late fee, which, on the surface, is true. But the amount of the credit would have been reduced by $25 and so still would not have covered the whole amount then due and owing. As can be seen in the Utility Account History statement, attached, there remains a $27.52 amount still due and owning, despite the size of the credit balance.
Obie admits the first Late Fee was legitimate, but contends the second Late Fee was inappropriate.
The Administration contends that while the second late fee is, in fact, appropriate (the entire balance due and owing at the end of the month for September had not been paid.) This situation is a result of the personnel at City Hall complying with the requirements of the Tenino Municipal Code. If a prior month's bill has not been paid in full by the 10th day of the succeeding month, the account is late and a $25 late fee is assessed. However, in light of the fact that this account has been in good standing for some time and in light of the fact that Obie Rentals did make a good-faith effort to pay what they thought was the entire amount due and owing, the Administration recommends the City Council grant relief from the $25 late fee assessed in the month of November, 2018.
As is well known, the City generally does not get querried about outstanding utility balances at a Foreclosure or Sherrif's sale. Therefore, when the new owners sought to establish utility service, they were faced with an unexpected bill in the amount of $2469.08, of which, only $525.00 represents late fees. All the other charges are for water actually consumed (that is, water that flowed through the meter) and facility charges.
The new owners have now brought the account current in order to restore water service, but now ask for relief from at least some of the fees and charges. The Administration recommends relief from all late fees, but recommends no relief be granted from the cost of water actually consumed or from any facility charges. If the Administration's recommendation is accepted, the total cost to restore service at the property would have been $1984.08 (the cost of water actually consumed, facility charges, and a $40 new account establishment fee). Since the new owners have paid $2469.08, they would be entitled to their choice of a credit on the account in the amount of $485.00, or a refund voucher in the amount of $485.00
During the Budget Development Process, some of the planning assumptions included estimates of venues based on anticipated increases in fees and charges.
The 2019 Consolidated Fee Schedule includes:
2% increase in water rates
3% increase in sewer rates
Increases in the cost of fees and deposits for City Facilities (Quarry House, Concession Stand, Council Chambers)
Updated costs of Building Permits due to increases in state-mandated fees
Updated cost of credit card convenience fees.
The proposed lease, below, is for an initial term of 15 years and provides for periodic reviews to ensure the agreement remains responsive to the needs of the parties. The lease fee is a nominal $10 per year fee, with the expected full benefit of the City to be realized in the form of Business Licenses, Business & Occupation Taxes, and other fees for services generated by the tenants of the Park, once fully operational.
CALL TO ORDER
AGENDA APPROVAL
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
CONSENT CALENDAR
Payroll EFT's in the amount of $54,790.49; and
Claims Checks #27791 through #27841 in the amount of $65,065.02
Recommended Action: Move to approve all expenses in the amount of $119,855.51 for the period begininng November 28, 2018 and ending December 11, 2018.
Recommended action: Move to approve the Liquor License renewals for Stone City Brewing, Tenino 76 Food Mart, and Tenino Short Stop Market.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
PRESENTATIONS
PUBLIC COMMENTS
PUBLIC HEARING
PROCLAMATIONS
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
Recommended Action: Move to relieve Obie Rentals from the Late Fee charged on the November bill.
Recommended Action: Move to waive all late fees and restore utility service to the property located at 1424 Old Military Road SE, Tenino, WA, 98589 provided new owners agree to pay all amounts now due and owing for the actual cost of goods and services provided or consumed in the approximate amount of $1984.08.
Recommended action: Move to approve the expenditure of $400.00 from the General Fund to purchase Cascade 3D Imaging services for the Museum and Ticknor School.
Recommended Action: Move to authorize Mayor Fournier to enter into the lease agreement between the City of Tenino and the Thurston Economic Development Council for the property located at 16402 Old Hwy 99 SE, Tenino, WA, 98589.
RESOLUTIONS
Recommended action: Move to adopt Resolution 2018-11, fixing the City's Consolidated Fee Schedule for 2019.
ORDINANCES
Recommended Action: Move to approve as the second reading and to adopt Ordinance 894, fixing the City's Municipal Budget for the year ending December 31, 2019.
Recommended Action: Move to approve as the second reading and to adopt Ordinance 895, amending the City of Tenino Municipal Budget for the year ending December 31, 2018.
REPORTS
Fire District
Museum
Director of Public Works
City Planner
City Attorney
Clerk/Treasurer
Mayor
Park Commission
Planning Commission
Finance Committee
Public Safety Committee
Facade Improvement Grant Review Committee
Community Investment Partnership (CIP)
Economic Development Council (EDC)
Solid Waste Advisory Board
TCOMM/911
Tenino School Board
Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC)
Transportation Policy Board (TPB)
PUBLIC COMMENTS 2
ADJOURNMENT