AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Receive an update and hold discussion regarding the utility assistance program and disconnections for non-payment and late fees, and provide direction to Staff.
Body
Meeting date: July 6, 2021
Department: Finance, Marie Kalka
Amount & Source of Funding
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Fiscal Note:
Prior Council Action: Council agreed to halt utility service disconnections during the COVID emergency in March 2020. 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. At the March 2, 2021 Council meeting there was discussion with the direction to come back on March 16, 2021 for further discussion and direction. On March 16, 2021 Council directed the halting of disconnections through August 1, 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 the March 2, 2021 Council meeting, staff presented an update and recommended the extending of late fees and disconnects until July 1, 2021. Council discussed and directed staff to gather additional information and come back to staff at the March 16, 2021 meeting for further discussion and direction.
On March 16, 2021 Council provided direction to halt disconnects through August 1, 2021.
On June 29, 2021 - Special Meeting Council requested an item be placed on the next agenda to discuss:
1. Accounts unpaid - number of accounts and total
2. Accounts paid - number of accounts and total
3. Utility Assistance Applications - total number, approved, disapproved.
4. If disapproved, Why?
5. August 1, 2021 disconnect date
Council Committee, Board/Commission Action:
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Alternatives:
Continue to not terminate services for a set period of time.
Recommendation:
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