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Mr. Huffaker then read his report in full, consisting of eight pages, quoting each question asked by Miss Alexander
<br />and the Committee at the Council Meeting held October 5, 1976, and explaining in detail the response to each question.
<br />Mr. Huffaker further explained that the City is purchasing bright colored jump suits to be worn by all of the
<br />City's meter readers, to distinquish them from other City personnel, colored tags will be placed on meters that
<br />have been re -read, and specail signs have been ordered which will be placed on the meter reader trucks.
<br />Councilman Rehrer stated that he has always been opposed to the utility rate increases and, in that light, he would
<br />like to make a motion to decrease the base electrical rate by Five Percent (5%) effective November 1, 1976.
<br />Motion seconded by Councilwoman Cisneros and unanimously passed.
<br />Councilman Rehrer said as a footnote to his motion, the decrease in the base rate does not include the Fuel Adjust-
<br />ment Cost, which will remain in effect and continue as a part of the billing and charged according to the rate the
<br />City receives from the Southern California Edison Company.
<br />Mrs. Frances Grice, Executive Director of Operation Second Chance, stated she feels that if the Colton Citizens
<br />Utility Committee had never started investigating all of these issues, asked questions, and brought all of this
<br />information to the attention of the City Council, the Council may never have known, or been aware of, what was
<br />going on, and possibly most of these matters would never have been resolved.
<br />Mrs. Grice continued there have been several important points brought to light that the City Council should take
<br />into very serious consideration, such as the "misplacing" of over one-half million dollars of City funds, and how
<br />this mistake was discovered.
<br />Mrs. Grice said she cannot understand how an auditing firm, hired by the City to perform an annual audit of the
<br />City's financial records, did not question this error and how they could make a statement that this was not in the
<br />scope of their audit.
<br />Mrs. Grice concluded she would like to know what type of check and balance system the City uses.
<br />Mayor Beltran advised that the City Council will be taking action on two basic issues that may help to correct and
<br />alleviate future problems of this kind - first, the establishment of a Utility Commission, who will study the
<br />entire utility system and make various recommendations to the City Council, especially during budget time, and
<br />secondly, the City Council will be taking a very serious look at other auditing firms.
<br />Mayor Beltran further advised that the City has received proposals from several auditing firms, to perform the
<br />City's Annual Audit, and the City Council will be studying these auditing firms, taking their proposals into consideration,
<br />and possibly made a determinaat the next regular Council Meeting.
<br />Councilman Gonzales said he was disturbed about this transfer of funds that was made without the City Council's
<br />sanction or approval. Mr. Gonzales stated the only thing the City Council has to go by or rely on, in many instances,
<br />is the information and reports provided by Staff, and he felt it is really a shame when the citizens of this community
<br />are the ones that have to make the City Council aware of what is going on and bring these matters to the Council's
<br />attention.
<br />Councilman Gonzales continued that he had recommended, some time ago, the City change auditing firms, as any change,
<br />from time to time, is a healthy condition. Mr. Gonzales advised that the City paid a substantial amount of money
<br />for an audit report that we never actually got and this is bad, it is a good example of what can happen.
<br />Councilman Gonzales concluded that from now on the City Council will be taking a closer look at what is going on
<br />and being done.
<br />Miss Marlene Alexander, 2255 Cahuilla Street, referred to her letter dated October 12, 1976, addressed to the City
<br />Council, together with a proposal for the establishment of a Utility Commission, outlining the powers, duties and
<br />responsibilities of such a Commission.
<br />Mayor Beltran advised that Staff has also presented a report and proposed ordinance creating a Utility Commission,
<br />and this material, along with the proposal submitted by the Colton Citizens Utility Committee, will be reviewed and
<br />studied and recommendations will be made at the next regular Council Meeting.
<br />Mrs. Ellen Vinson, Colton, stated the people should keep in mind that everything has gone up - telephone expense,
<br />gas, food, and referred to the complaints that have been made regarding reconnection fees, reading meters, and high
<br />electric rates. Mrs. Vinson said possibly it would help everyone better understand exactly how they can save, if
<br />the City spoke at the people's level, or elementary language, and explained exactly what a kilowatt hour is, or how
<br />to arrive at the total watts by multiplying voltage times amps.
<br />Mrs. Vinson concluded that with regard to the "misplaced funds", she can readily understand how this might happen
<br />when the City is working with millions, as this can happen very easily with any individual in figuring their own
<br />finances and budget.
<br />Miss Alexander responded by saying that she is speaking for the thousands of people that signed the petitions, and
<br />the senior citizens that have to live on a fixed income, and we are all aware of the high cost of living and reasons
<br />for excessive utility rates, and these conditions are not "child's play".
<br />Mayor Beltran thanked everyone for their comments.
<br />Transportation
<br />Dial -A -Ride
<br />Planning Director Williams read the Staff report regarding implementing a Dial -A -Ride system in the City of Colton,
<br />and referred to City maps outlining the boundaries for this service.
<br />Mr. Williams advised that the latest cost proposal for Dial -A -Ride service submitted by Mr. Parlas, September 30,
<br />1976, indicates a total first year cost of $59,975.00. Mr. Williams said the City's present uncommitted current
<br />year's SB -325 Article 8 funds amounts to $41,669.00, and the present Article 4 claim for bus service is $108,707.
<br />Mr: Williams stated the Council should keep in mind that as the City develops and grows, there will be a need for
<br />transportation services in other areas, such as the Cooley Ranch. The proposed Dial -A -Ride system will not service
<br />areas outside the Colton City limits.
<br />Mr. Williams said if the Council decides to initiate the Dial -A -Ride service, Staff would recommend considering the
<br />use of one or two vehicles which would provide service to senior citizens and the handicapped only, which could be
<br />controlled by the use of free bus passes issued to seniors and disabled. Mr. Williams advised this would be less
<br />costly and give the City and the Dial -A -Ride operator some experience in operating in the City.
<br />1976
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