AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Receive a Staff presentation and hold discussion regarding the utility disconnections for non-payment and late fees, and provide direction to Staff.
Body
Meeting date: March 2, 2021
Department: Finance, Marie Kalka
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Fiscal Note:
Prior Council Action: Council agreed to halt utility service disconnections during the COVID emergency in March. On July 7, 2020 council approved extending the freeze on disconnects through the end of September 2020. Again in November, Council directed extended the halting of disconnections through March 31, 2021.
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Background Information:
In March, 2020 the City Council agreed to halt utility service disconnections for non-payment for 90 days due to difficulties our community has been experiencing from the COVID-19 pandemic. In July 2020, council supported extending this date through Sept. 30, 2020. Currently, utility disconnections remain on hold through March 31, 2021 as directed by Council in November 2020. In December 2020, staff recommended, and Council approved, setting the late fees suspension to same date as nonpayment disconnection hold of March 31, 2021.
At the December 2020 meeting Council directed staff to bring this item back before March 31, 2021 for further discussion based on the current state of the COVID pandemic.
At this time, staff recommends extending the late fee and disconnection date until July 1, 2021.
Council Committee, Board/Commission Action:
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Alternatives:
Continue to not terminate services for a set period of time.
Recommendation:
Extend the freeze on utility disconnects until July 1, 2021. Increase community outreach, expand customer communications and continue promoting utility assistance through Community Action.