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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 02/14/1994 2682 CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING Port Angeles, Washington February 14, 1994 CALL TO ORDER - The joint meeting between the Port Angeles City Council and the Utility Advisory SPECIAL MEETING: Committee was called to order by Councilman Braun, Chairman of the Utility Advisory Committee. The joint meeting was held for the purpose of hearing a presentation from Parametrix on the Solid Waste Disposal Feasibility Study. " ROLL CALL: Council Members Present: Mayor Sargent, Councilmen Braun (also UAC) and Doyle, Councilmember McKeown (also UAC), and Councilman Ostrowski. Council Members Absent: Councilmen Hulett and Schueler (also UAC). Utility Advisory Committee Members: Joe Michalczik and Bill Myers Staff Present: C. Knutson, J. Pomeranz, K. Godbey, C. Hagar, B. Titus, J. Pittis, B. Jones, and K. Ridout. APPROVAL OF Joe Michalczik moved to approve the minutes of the January 10, 1994, meeting MINUTES: of the Utility Advisory Committee as written. The motion was seconded by Councilmember McKeown and carried unanimously. Public Works Director Pittis suggested that Item C. be moved up on the agenda as a matter of courtesy to Mr. Leonard. Collection of Past Presentation from Larry Leonard Re: Collection of Past Due Utility Bills From Due Utility Bills Real Properties Larry Leonard, 1030 Olympus Street, a realtor in Port Angeles, thanked the Customer Service staff for the excellent job they do in taking care of utility bills and attempting to make it fair. Mr. Leonard felt that tenants should be held solely responsible for their utility bills, and that it is punitive to hold landlords liable for a tenant's delinquent account. He has conducted a survey of several cities and found that many cities require large deposits of tenants if they lien the property owner. This greatly reduces the landlords liability. He felt the City should not have to resort to lien fights, as there are other means available for making the tenant pay. City Attorney Knutson explained to the Committee that the City cannot give up one way of collecting on delinquent accounts without first having in place another manner of collecting, i.e. deposits. Currently the City requires a deposit of $160.00 for single family residences. This amount was established in 1984. Mr. Leonard suggested that the City update this amount to reflect today's cost for utility services. Mr. Leonard then introduced Carroll Lunsford from Lunsford & Associates and Sandra Wimpold, of Landmark Property Management. Carroll Lunsford, Lunsford & Associates, also felt that Customer Service staffhas been friendly and cooperative. He echoed Mr. Leonard's concern of undue burden on property owners. Sandra Wimpold, Landmark Property Management, stated that winter was an especially hard time, and many tenants let their utility bills go unpaid. Landlords don't know the bills are delinquent until the tenant moves out. She felt that the City should notify landlords when a delinquent bill exceeds the deposit amount. She further stated that the PUD does not exercise lien rights, but pursues the tenant for delinquent accounts. Mr. Leonard returned to the podium to suggest that if the system the City utilizes cannot be changed, then perhaps when LIDs are checked for the title companies, past due utility bills could be checked at the same time. Tony Kapetan, address not given, spoke on behalf of rate payers. He agreed with -1- 2683 CITY' COUNCIL MEETING February 14, 1994 Collection of Past Ms. Wimpold that landlords should be notified when delinquent utility bills exceed Due Utility Bills deposits. However, he did not feel that the tenant should be held solely responsible (Cont'd) for delinquent utility bills. It is far too easy for a delinquent tenant to leave the City and never pay the bills. Accounts that are Written off become a financial burden to all rate payers. Mr. Kapetan felt that holding the landlord responsible was the only fair way to deal with this issue. Attorney Knutson pointed out that the information provided in the packets as Informational Item B addresses this problem. He then reviewed the information regarding Senate Bill 5016, which would negate the City's lien right under certain circumstances. The Finance Department will keep the UAC updated on Senate Bill 5016, and this issue will be revisited when 5016 has been decided. Mr. Leonard requested that he be updated on this issue also. Solid Waste Presentation from Parametrix on the Solid Waste Disposal Feasibility Study Disposal Feasibility Study Public Works Director Pittis distributed copies of a chart showing Solid Waste Management Analysis, and brie£mgs on the Solid Waste Disposal Feasibility Study. He then gave an explanation of the chart and a status report on the landfill. He introduced Mr. Richard Dunlap of Parametrix, who gave a presentation on the Feasibility Study. Mr. Dunlap explained that the evaluation done by Parametrix made key assumptions: 1) that Parametrix would accept all the data developed by the 1992 Comprehensive Plan with regard to the waste stream; 2) Parametrix would consider the analysis of alternatives that would give Port Angeles an equivalent disposal system; 3) recycling would be considered at two different levels; 4) there would be no change .in the current collection/transport system; and 5) implementation would take place by the end of 1998. Mr. Dunlap described and evaluated the alternatives to the current landfill, citing technical considerations, economic comparisons, environmental consequences, institutional issues and giving a final ranking of the disposal alternatives. The final analysis showed waste export to be the most economically and environmentally feasible alternative to the current landfill. Discussion followed, with concern being expressed over the City having to haul its garbage to other areas. Mr. Dunlap explained that the areas that have developed these facilities for accepting refuse are in much drier areas; therefore, their capacity far exceeds that of wet areas such as Port Angeles. Many cities are resorting to this method of waste disposal. Mr. Dunlap also recommended that the City should involve Clallam County, the Cities of Forks and Sequim as well as the Tribe and Park in the decision-making process. Interlocal agreements would probably be in order, as the City needs to know that it will be supported by the other landfill users in whatever decision is made. Those Council members not part of the Utility Advisory Committee departed the meeting at approximately 6:25 p.m. The Utility Advisory Committee continued with its agenda at that time. Cl-- rk--q 9--r -2-