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Background: <br />Beginning last spring the Water Utility department has been implementing the water meter <br />replacement program; this program was put into place to exchange old worn out meters to a <br />vastly more efficient radio read technology. The largest challenge associated with installing this <br />new system has been making arrangements with residents to schedule a convenient time for <br />gaining access inside their home. Staff has been making great progress with this program and is <br />on schedule as far as replacing the targeted number of units to date. However, there are <br />instances where properties have received as many as eight letters and four door hangers <br />requesting that they contact the water utility department to schedule an appointment. This <br />change over requires only 10 to 15 minutes. The hours for the exchange are from 7:30 am to 6:00 <br />pm and a few exceptions have been made to make an exchange at commercial structures on the <br />weekends to eliminate a disturbance of their water supply. <br />After this level of effort to engage residents, staff is doubtful that additional letters and door <br />hangers will produce results. As a result, staff is proposing that some financial leverage be <br />considered to facilitate cooperation with this program. Failure to obtain a meter reading through <br />the new radio read system will require an individual trip to these few locations followed by a <br />separate billing procedure. <br />Recommendation: <br />Staff is recommending that these unnecessary additional expenses be recovered through an <br />"individual meter read" fee in the amount of $50.00 and be placed on the quarterly water utility <br />bill after three letters are sent and three door hangers are left followed by a final certified letter to <br />the property owner. <br />Action: <br />CASE # Ati <br />CONSIDER INCENTIVES FOR WATER METER REPLACEMENT PROGRAM <br />By: John Nelson, Utilities Supervisor <br />Motion to recommend to City Council that a quarterly $50.00 "individual meter read" be placed <br />on the water utility bill beginning after written notice is provided. <br />Reviewed By: <br />Director of Public Works/Principal City Engineer <br />Assistant City Engineer <br />Finance Officer <br />PW: 02/17/09 <br />51 <br />