1985 CC MIN MAY 21 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Lin Mr. Drews reviewed the procedures followed in determining the accuracy of the meters, which were removed and tested in the City of Riverside and again at our own Utility, and this indicated the meters were all within the acceptable tolerances. Mr. Drews advised the Utility Commission's recommendation to the City Council was that the disputed portions of the billings be deferred un- til a 10 day period in the same billing months from the previous year's billing could be surveyed for usage. Mr. Drews concluded it is Staff's recommendation that since there has been no indication in the reports that the billing was incorrect, the disputed bills should be due and payable immediately. Councilwoman Garcia asked if the customers, in question, have co ies of these reports. p Mr. Drews answered no. Councilwoman Garcia asked if the City has complaints from other cus- 0 tomers during the same time period. CO Mrs. Ruby Andengaard, Acting Director of Finance, stated that during LO the summer months and peak periods it is many complaints from customers regarding par for the course to have g is always more usage during thosemonths.thMrs.uAility bills, as there ndengaard then out - CO the procedure the utility billing clerks follow in investigating Q a complaint regarding a customer's bill. Councilwoman Cisneros stated she does not understand why this matter is before the City Council and that she was really concerned about the special consideration given here. Mrs. Cisneros said she does not like to be put in this position. City Manager Elliott stated that when this item was presented to the City, Staff went to a great deal of time and effort to investigate the matter, and it was also taken to the Utility Commission for recommen- dation. Mr. Frank Gonzales, 734 Canary Street, Colton, stated he has followed the rules and requirements of the City all the way down the line in an attempt to resolve this problem, and he still feels they have been over charged. Mr. Gonzales said he has never gotten a justifiable answer from Mr. Drews, only that they can account for 40 percent of the usage, but they have no explanation for the other 60 percent of usage. Mr. Gonzales advised that the meter in question was removed and a new meter installed, now there is no way to complete the testing as recommended by the Utility Commission. Mr. Louis Romo, 531 South La Cadena Drive, Colton, stated he had doubts about the method of checking these meters and the accuracy. Mr. Romo said he had also complained about a very high utility bill, with no results. Councilwoman Garcia said she felt it was the Council's responsibility to consider these recommendations from our Commissions, and to do some- thing about these kind of problems. Mrs. Garcia said the City should set the policies and then adhere to them. Mrs. Garcia felt the City should wait until a comparable study is made, as recommended by the Utility Commission, and then make a decision. Councilman Rios again questioned the amount of usage from one period to the, other, asking if the investigation showed an increase or decrease in usage. Mrs. Andengaard stated that although she did not have the figures with her at the present time, she believed the study showed a decline in usage. Councilwoman Garcia stated if that is the case, then how can there be an increase in the billings. Y 21 w5