09-26 Work Session CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
,J Richfield, Minnesota
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heii,b.<„ Special City Council Work Session
September 26, 2017
CALL TO ORDER
The work session was called to order by Mayor Elliott at 5:15 p.m. in the Municipal Center.
Council Members Pat Elliott, Mayor; Michael Howard; Maria Regan Gonzalez;
Present: and Simon Trautmann
Council Members Edwina Garcia.
Absent:
Staff Present: Steven L. Devich, City Manager; Mary Tietjen, City Attorney; Kristen Asher,
Public Works Director; Chris Regis, Finance Manager; Taylor Burandt, Public
Works Administrative Aide/Analyst; and, Jared Voto, Executive Aide/Analyst.
Item #1 UTILITY RATES AND CONSERVATION RATE STRUCTURE
Kristen Asher, Director of Public Works, introduced the topic as a continuation of a work
session from June and introduced Rebecca Kurtz of Ehlers.
Ms. Kurtz presented the proposed rate increases and discussed target for cash balances of
each enterprise fund.
Item #2 DISCUSSION REGARDING SERVICE LINE WARRANTY PROGRAM AND CITY-
ADMINISTERED UTILITY LINE INSURANCE
Ms. Asher introduced Taylor Burandt, Public Works Administrative Aide/Analyst. Ms. Burandt
presented background on Service Line Warranty of America (SLWA) and their use in Richfield, as well
as information on the ability for the City to provide insurance to water/sewer lines. Ms. Burandt
presented examples of Lake City and Mounds View who insure private water lines.
Council members discussed the current use of the City's logo on letters sent out by SLWA and
residents' confusion over receiving a letter from a private insurance company using the City's logo.
Ms. Burandt provided staff recommendation to continue working with SLWA and the City can
decide to cancel or renew when the contract nears expiration. Council members generally agreed with
this proposal, but asked to continue to work with SLWA to include additional information, or a letter,
providing more information.
Bob Hall, a Richfield resident, discussed an additional endorsement to his homeowner's
insurance policy for the coverage of water and sewer lines. He happened to learn about it by chance
from his insurer and that it is a relatively new program.
Special Council Work Session Minutes -2- September 26,2017
Council Member Howard stated the importance of communicating to residents that they own
their lines and they may want to contact their insurer to see if they have the ability to add this
coverage.
ADJOURNMENT
The work session was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:31 p.m.
Date Approved: October 10, 2017
J/ a'
ed VoZi en . Devich
Executive Aide/Analyst City Manager
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