Agenda - Council - 10/28/2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Attorney Gdodrich inquired if the businesses were currently receiving the correct bill. Finance Officer .~und replied that the next bill will have the correct amount. Ms. Lund read a letter she had dr~tfted explaining the error that has occurred that could be mailed along with the next bill. ~ Councilmember ~urak stated that the fact is the businesses have used the water and should be required to pay for it. Mayor Gamec sated that he would like to meet with Connexus, along with the Finance Officer and possibly anoiher Councilmember to discuss the. issue. Councilmember .Zimmerman felt that there were probably a fair amount of businesses that would pay the amount owed once they are made aware of the mistake and he felt that they should be given the opportunity tO do so before a lien is placed on the property. Councilmember ~urak stated that with some of the larger amounts they may need to set up a payment plan with a small interest rate. · Councilmember~Elvig replied that he would agree with that. He inquired if the City had the ability to extend a loan. City Attorney ~oodrich replied that he believed that they could, but the City would need to establish some policy so that they do not discriminate against other businesses. Councilmember ~urak suggested a policy where amounts due that are $10,000 or above could be paid back over alcertain amount of time. City Attorney G~odrich suggested establishing a committee to address some of the policy issues. Councilmember ~Cook stated that the City should first determine how much Cormexus is willing to pay before th(y bill the customers the full amount. City Attorney Gpodrich noted that most likely if Colmexus agrees to pay 25 percent of the bill they would turn around and require the customer to pay them back. Councitmember ~earson stated that he thought that most of the businesses would work with the City and pay their bills. :Elvig suggested that they meet with Cmmexus to try and get them to pay some Councilmember: of what is owed i'to the City, have Cormexus or the City send a letter to the customers explaining the error, in ad4ition a letter should be sent from the City with the total amount due and the option to pay th~ full amount with a 15 percent discount if paid within 90 days, or contact City staff to establisl(a payment plan. He' felt that way everyone one would be treated the Same and hopefully the Citiy would receive sorne of that money quickly. City Council Work Session/October 14, 2003 Page 3 of 5 -49-