1999 AGN JAN 19 I20 - Laserfiche WebLink

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cover calls made after 9PM. It is recommended that the reconnection charges be adjusted as follows to cover the cost of the two different after-hours scenarios: Service Reconnection Charge $ 10.00 (during Regular Working Hours) Service Reconnection Charge $ 50.00 (Workdays 6PM to 9PM) Service Reconnection Charge $180.00 (Non Workdays and between 9PM and 6:30AM on Workdays) The high cost of calls on non -work days and especially after 9PM is likely to result in customers requesting reconnects as quickly as possible on the morning of the next work day. Our new Friday service will help such customers. This may also cause them to turn to private electricians or their apartment complex management more frequently. The stamina of Power Line Technicians on standby will improve because they will have time to go home, eat an evening meal, and have more hours for a normal night's sleep. This will contribute to their alertness when their skills are needed for power outages and highly specialized duties. Providing customers with a true price signal should aid their development of reasonable plans for their electric service. For those customers who do plan well, a true reduction in cost and improved responsiveness is provided by the new fees. Customers who call in for reconnection service before 9PM on City workdays will see a reduction in the fee from $95 to $50. This is possible because of the lower cost of scheduling a CSFR to be available at that time. The customer will also receive service faster because the CSFR will be stationed at the Corporate Yard or already on the street in their vehicle. The Utility plans to conduct a public information campaign before implementing these new rates. We can query the billing database to obtain addresses that have previously paid the $95 reconnect fee and send them an appropriate flier. We have already built a main breaker demonstration cabinet and displayed it at the recent street faire. We intend to request that it be stationed at City Hall for a period of time to help customers learn to help themselves. We will work with the apartment complexes to provide tenants with helpful information. The Utilities Commissioners voted their unanimous support at the December 14, 1998 meeting. ALTERNATIVES: The fees can be left as -is or set to some other level. Any increase or decrease could be phased -in by steps over a period of time. FINANCIAL IMPACT: Many customers who previously were paying $95 for an after-hours reconnect will see a reduction in cost as long as they call before 9PM. Both overtime expenses and fee revenues are expected to decline, but will have a net result of savings to the City. RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council approve above fee changes by the attached Resolution. Page 2 of 2 (w/attachments) Item No.