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MEETING WITH PROPERTY OWNER AT 14720 GERMANIUM STREET REGARDING $6,000 WATER BILL By: Diana Lund, Finance Officer Background: At the Finance Committee of May 9, 2006, it was brought to the Committee members' attention a $6,000 water bill that was received by a resident residing at 14720 Germanium Street. A copy of the current billing is attached. Ms. Audrey Smith, the resident who had received the bill, had come into City Hall on May 8, 2006, asking for some sort of reduction or forgiveness on this bill. The Finance Committee directed staff to set up a payment plan with Ms. Smith, and that no portion of the bill would be waived. A brief summary of the circumstances regarding the high water bill are as such: The property address listed above has an irrigation system that was not winterized for the winter. The lines froze, expanded and broke, causing approximately 3,389,000 gallons of water to flow through the water meter. Ms. Smith had moved into this home in July, 2005. Connexus estimated her water billing for first quarter of 2006 with a reading of 0 as they estimate water based on past usage. Ms. Smith was a new customer with no history. There was an actual reading on October 17, 2005, that showed a usage of 96,000 gallons. John Nelson, Utility Superintendent, visited the home and said that it was apparent that there had been a tremendous amount of water in the backyard as the rocks were visibly yellow from the iron in the water and the grass was about a foot higher than anywhere else in the yard. Ms. Smith contacted staffthat she would like to have a meeting with the Finance Committee with an army lawyer present (her husband is currently stationed in Iraq) to. discuss her current water bill. Committee Action: ~ Discussion of $6,000 water bill with property owner/attorney and course of action. FC: 5/23/06