City Commission Workshop Meeting

APPROVED:l0/5/2017 City Hall City of Eustis, Florida 10 North Grove Street Post Office Drawer 68 Eustis, FL 32727-0068 Meeting Minutes - Final* City Commission Workshop Thursday, September 21, 2017 5:50PM City Hall CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Morin - 5:50 p.m. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF QUORUM AND PROPER NOTICE Present: 5- Anthony Sabatini ; Marie Aliberti; Linda Bob; Carla Gnann-Thompson; and Robert Morin I. Workshop Item 16444 Review of Implementation of Water, Wastewater, and Irrigation Colleen Scott, Finance Director, explained the purpose for the proposed utility liens, the requirements under state statute and the process to be utilized for implementation of the liens. She reviewed the collections process. She explained that the lien goes to the homeowner, rental properties are excluded and the delinquent account must be for over $500. She added staff's intent to run quarterty reports and proceed on a quarterty basis. II. Commission Discussion The Commission questioned whether or not the water meters are removed upon cutoff for non- payment with Ms. Scott explaining that services would probably already be cut off when a lien is imposed; however, when the owner goes to sell the house, the City would be able to collect the lien amount. The Commission asked what would occur when a property owner is deceased with Mr. Neibert explaining that a lien could still be filed against the property and would be satisfied through the estate. Ms. Scott distributed to the Commission copies of the past year's delinquent accounts with most already in collections. She further explained that the lien process would allow the City to collect when the property is sold. The Commission clarified the current process and whether or not penalties are added to the liens with Ms. Scott indicating there is only a one-time $5 penalty and it does not accumulate. Mr. Neibert indicated that the City has foreclosed on liens in the past but those were for code enforcement violations. He further clarified that the City would first use the collections process. Ms. Scott indicated the City has approximately 11 years of bad debt for a total of approximately $1 .2 million. The Commission and staff discussed how bad debt occurs and why people don't pay their utility bills with Mr. Neibert noting they do not allow someone to open a new account if they have an existing unpaid account. Ms. Scott clarified that the City already utilizes a private collection company but this would allow the City to collect on properties when they are sold. Mr. Neibert explained when and how payment plans may be utilized. City of Eustis, Florida Page 1 Printed on 912512017 City Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes - Final September 21, 2017 The Commission questioned how much was recouped through collections the previous year with Ms. Scott indicating she could find out. The Commission questioned the status of a City lien when there is a mortgage with Mr Neibert indicating his understanding that the City's utility lien would be ahead of a mortgage. III. Public Input - None IV. Commission Direction Mr Neibert explained the workshop was strictly to provide additional information to the Commission and no Commission action was required as second reading of the ordinance was on the regular Commission agenda. V. Adjournment- 6:04 p.m. City Clerk Mayor/Commissioner *These minutes reflect the actions taken and portions of the discussion d uring the meeting. To review the entire discussion concerning any agenda item, go to www.eustis.org and cl ick on the video for the meeting in question . A DVD of the entire meeting or CD of the entire audio recording or verbatim transcript of the meeting can be obtained from the office of the City Clerk for a fee . City of Eustis, Florida Page2 Printed on 912512017