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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-09-12 (Special) Meeting MinutesSPECIAL t.fl..;E T ING: COUN CIL CHAMBER S CITY 01'"" l!;JJGLEWOO D, COLORADO R pt cm ber 12, 1977 The City Council of the City of Englewood, Arapahoe County, Colorado met in special aeseion on September 12 1 1977 at 7:00 P.M. ~or Taylor, presiding, called the meeting to order. The invocation was given by Councilman Howard Brown. The Pledge ot Allegiance was led by Mayor Taylor. May or Taylor asked for roll call. Upon the call of the roll, the following were present: Council Me mbers Willi a.m s, Sovern, Smith, Brown, Mann, Clayton, Taylor. Absent: None The Mayor declared a quoruna present, Also pres ent we re: City Manager McCown As sislant Cit1 Manager Curne1 Assistant City Attorney De Witt Director ot Public Works Waggoner Acting Director ot Employee Relations Brown Director ot Finance/City Clerk James Deputy City Clerk Watkins • • • • • COUNCILMAN SMITH MOVED TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AB ORDINANCE REQUJR J im TH E CON VERS I ON TO METERS AT THE TIME OF TRANSFER OF 0~\1J SH IP OF PROPERTY. Counci l ma n Man n, s econded the motion. Upon a call of the roll, the vote resulted as follows: Ayes: Coun cil Mt:n bers Mann, Brown, Clayton, Williams. Sovern, Smith 9 Taylor !~:.y s : .. ,, !'"1e Cf• ied , S r~pt in be r 12 1 977 ~3 e 2 r.· y o 1 Teylor b e ·· n t h e p ub lic he a r ing by adtlrei:;s i ng t he public i n atte nd a nc e nd s t~ting t he g roun d rules for this meet ing's h e aring. Mayo r Tay l or sta t d that the o r di a.n e e p assed on the f irst r c a.di ng nd I will c om e up for final re a ding Se pttmber 19, 1977. ltowever, the City Co u n 11 r ul d t hat a public h earing ~hould be eet on this ordi nance t o re c e ive i nput from the public prior to consideration for final passage on September 19 9 1911. Mayor T~lor stated that clarification ot the m a ning of the ordinance ia in order. ~or TS¥1or explained that people living in their hom e s now would not be required to go on meters until they sold their house or sold their property and at that time the new owner would be required to install a meter in the house. The purpose of the ordinance was to phase out the flat rates over a long period ot time but if people who we re now living in their homes wa nted a meter, they could request the Water Department to install the meters in their homes. Mayor Taylor asked if there was a.nyone in the audience who wished to spea k in favor ot the ordinance. Emily Bocko, 7181 s. Harrison Way, Littleton, President ot the League ot Wo men Voters appeared before the Council and stated that the League has studied the p roblem ot water shortage for numerous years. Ms. Bocko stated t h at the Le ague s upported the ordin a nce so people would start conser ving water nov i nstead of when water shortage becomes a real crisis. Mayor Taylor asked it there was anyone in the audience who wished to sp e ak against the ordinance. Maurice Jones, 5020 s. Washington, appeared before the Council and stated that he was neither tor or against the ordinance. Mr. Jones stated that meters would definitely lower conswnption ot water, but something must be done to improve the filtration and purification ot water. He also stated that if the consuinption was lowered the revenue would also be reduced. Eva Eisenburg, 4955 s. Galapago, appeared before the Council and stated that the water pressure needs to be improved and even though she is ag ainst the wa ter meters, she was under the impression that the water pressure would be i mproved regardless ot whether meters were installed or not. Ms. Eisenburg stated that she hoped i mproved water pressure did not hinge on whe t he r peopl e used wa ter me ters or not. &c l·'.a rti n, 31 53 S. y l o r d , a p p e ared b e f o re t h e Counc i l an d st a te d t i .·-t r.e n?.s a~·.i n s t we.t ... r r eri..g t n d i.:o ul d H J:e to s e e th e City :,c o~·e.g e ~ ·:c ::.· r.t r :te r c o. Gt:··: t i n 1 r e,r 2_"'J f i rs t. ·:el vi n i-:i n i clc , 4 564 s . F ··r :!., a ;. c o.red b efo r e the Co unci l n d c:,E.t e d :.E.t · e ·..;a s ag ir.s t ·,.;e.ter r ,et e ri :ig ar .d t~e.t t h e dis tribut i on o f wa t e r ~-E -s t o be ·rr.~r v ed b e fo ·e any c o ~s id~ at i o n _hould i e gi v ~n to i n s t al ling \;a.te r e ... e rs . ~e pt emb ·r J 2, 1977 Pag e 3 Cl rence Arnet t, l1242 S. Logan, appeared before the Council and stated that he was against water meters. Mr. Arnett stated that the cost of installing a et r would be added to the price ot a home when the house wa s sol d thus r a ising re~l est te prices. Mr. Arnett stated that meters offered no solution to improving the distribution of water. Wayne Hardesty, 3841 s. Cherokee, appeared before the Council and stated that he was against water meters because ot the extra money that would be spent installing the 1neters and paying people to read them. Mr. Hardesty stated that the money should be spent for operating a treatment plant properly. Richard Edisel, 3295 J. Franklin, appeared before the Council and stated that he was against water meters. Mr. F.disel stated that he telt no one vould object to paying for improvements in water distribution through increased water rates, but he wondered why the people should be forced to pay tor u1u1 cessary expenditures like water meters when there are other alternatives for bringing in revenues. John Fawn, 4355 s. Clarkson, appeared before the Council and stated that he ~as against water meters because or the initial expense in installation• Mr. Fa'llll stated that water meters would not deter people from wasting water because people will simply pay for what water they use or waste. Mr. Fawn stated that i mproveme nts in water treatment are needed instead. Mr. Fawn further stated that people should be eG.uc&.ted in -w·ater conservation first before restrictions are placed on th em . Jeffrey George, 1311 E. Bates, appeared before the Council and stated that he was against water meters. Mr. George stated that the cost ot installation vould promote escalation in the real estate market because sellers would be forced to add the instaflation cost to their selling price. This escalation in real estate prices might prohibit young people from buying homes thus causing sever repercussions to the whole economy. Mr. George stated that the rates should be increased instead. Norma Wier, 4870 s. Cherokee, appeared before the Council and stated that she was against water meters because ot the burden it would place on p e ople who are living on fixed incomes. Werne r Schn acken berg , h60l S. Ba1mock 1 appeared before the Council and stat ed that he wa s in f avo r o f water meters. Mr. Schnackenberg stated t .i;.t ·a e ::-.e -,rs p e.c s n cer.t i ·e on t he people to conserve water and u ·-vide s for a f ir a y to :;:r:.~r f r :..1e -.. 1::.t e r th ey u e. Mr. Sc h na ckenberg sJ~2.:~ (;t..t sE ·-i c.~· itiz e::n e r e c c: ·t: 1y .r gal p 'ple an d peying for ·.:·~-::.-~ :~--.: + _ Oi ·_i t . :c t r .. c.J .. ·,,,1d , .. ul d p :r ove a dve.ntageous for them. I " 1 C:-1 r":o"?" • l l , t-· s . J.:.r. ~.E /---:-:~ ~· .;:-.• 1 . 1-' ~e d bef re the Council and Cl a y ·0n stated that the Council t r s -will that much water be ~ -·-· -·-1' l ?., .";! ... { Page 4 sa';e d an d vill j us t e s rnuc h r 1... v n ·e be te.J ~en in. Mr. c:.i.ayton s tat e d that if p e o ple cut b a ck a nd l es s r v 1ue is brought in -will the Council choose to rai s e the r at e s. The final r •ult being not only will meters be in the homes, but als o increased vater r a tes. Mr. Cl ayton suggested that pe ople must be e du ~t e d fi r st in ~ater c o n ser~ ti on. Mr. Cl ayton also su ggested that people who wa s te ~~'er be penalized. Bea Lane, 4397 s. Hur on, a ppeared before the Council and stated that she wa1 ag a inst water meters because ot the expense to PB¥ people to read and maintain the meter1. Eleanor Smith, 4100 s. Ga lapago, appeared before the Council and stated that ahe was surprised the City Copncil was considering installing water meters. Mr. Smith stated that vhen the City ot Englewood took over the water provi s ion from Denver the City promised its citizens that they would not have to be metered. Mra. Coffin, 3057 s. Galapago, appeared before the Council and recal l ed the fact that during Mayor Allen's term ot office, the Mayor promised the citizen• that no meters would be installed and that the citizens even petitioned against the meters. C18¥ton Smith, 4100 s. Galapago, appeared before the Council a nd s tated that he still had the meter that was disconnect.ed when Denver di s c ont i nued providing water and t ur ned the provision over to Englewood. ?t.r. SThi th &t ated that the wet&r ~he probably outmoded and he did not went to have to go to the expense of buying a new meter. Stanley Rowduss, 2323 W. Harvard, appeared before the Council a nd suggested that it the meters were installed the cost should be borne by the City ot Englewood 1'rom the profits they receive from the sell of water to Thornton. ' Eva Eisenberg, 4595 s. Galapago, appeared again before the Council and i nquired about the next step that the City Council would take in this issue. M~or TS¥1or stated that the City Council would conduct a stu~ session to review and consider the input that was received at this meeting The Cit1 Council would compile answers to the questions brought forth and hold another session with the public to explain and discuss the answers. Mayor Te¥lor assured Ma. Eisenburg that the City Council would not pass the ordinance until the public wanted it. H r la s Glasc o, 5040 S, G0 apago, appeared be f o re the Co un ci r r;d st t e d that he ~~s ce i n s t meters. :.:: ton t 3201 .... :_ r-\ __ i n ' 1...: i >t.:.::re d 1: :fc:·e ~h e " , __ c 1 a.:1d ate d t hat he •.:as c..-a ins t n.e t e rs f o :-th e Ee..rr.e r e ason s stete d b y o t l::e r ~p o e r s . Joh n C j l ng , 31 31 S. High , ppeare d b efore t he Co un ci l n · s u~g e 3 t ed that th e Ci ty o f Er g l e ·.;o od conti:... t -::.e r ci t i 1::s that have in stc.il E=n vst e ::-1!l et e:r s to obtain stat· s ... i cs a.:id p e rt ir.0:nt i..fo r rr.a t i o n t o h e l p evaluate -':.he n e cE:_s ity or r.;~tering , Mr. Cryl i n g ste ted th ~t r.e wa s for .... ·eter meters. Sep t ~·~t r 1 2, 1977 Pa ge 5 J. Peters, 3100 s. Pe arl, appeare d before the Council and stated hat he was a 1 a 5ns t wa t e r Ii t r.!r s lJ c use p e ople would probably call a plumber o ins 1111 the l 'l t er s rather than ins tall the me ters themselves and the expense ~o d be cnon o s . Mr. Pe t e rs st t e d that he would rather pay higher water rate s th a n b e 1. e tere d. Clayton Smith, 4100 s. Ga le.pa.go, appeared again before the Council and stated that gathering statistics and information from other cities would not be beneficial. Mr. Smith stated that the City of Englewood should examine the Denver decision in rejecting the water meter system if the City wanted to eva luate such a project. Bill Cox, 4433 s. Aco ma, appeared before the Council and stated that he was against water meters. 1-!r. Cox stated that the citizens ot Englewood could ma na ge to conserve the water if the,y needed to do so; and he thanked t h e Co ncil for conducting this open hearing. Paul Stins~, 4260 s. Elati, appeared before the Council and stated that he was a ga inst water meters. Mr. Stine~ suggested that the Council s up port a p ublic effort to conserve water on a voluntary basis and penalize t he se people who waste tbe water. Ka therine Fishback, 4425 S. Acoma appeared before the Council and st ated that s he wa s against wa ter meters. Ms. Fishback stated that she would ra t h~r pay h i gh e r rates. I,ynette Warren, 3820 s. Galapago, appeared before the Council and stated that she was against water meters. Ma. Warren suggested that the people who are wasteing the water be penalized. Mike Kuhn, 2724 s. Cherokee, appeared before the Council and stated that he was a gainst water met ers. Mr. Kuhn stated that be objected to the initial expense of instal ling the meter and suggested that support be placed • behind TOluntarily conserving water. Herma n Flag er, 4610 s. Che rokee, appeared before the Council and s t ated that he was f or we.ter 1oet ering. Mr. Flager stated that if people were ed on e. t ;ctc:ri ng s y stem t h ey w·11 be more careful about using water and · · ll ld be •i ·-:.!.S 'lo 1 .. -: r -:: r t he E-n y extra am oun t of water they use. _'.:-:-:·· :-ch P _ e , ll ;,O :. 0 !':1ell , ap p e..red before the Council and -·-:.::. .:.°':<t ··,~ ~, ·,·1_+" Le r s hec r. ,:;e t he c ost of i ns t alli ng a -L . .t .: ::!.J i_i e C. -•1 Q ·v0 f ,( c ._:.J i §; pr:.ce Of t he hOU Se thus incre asing real -· ! ~. :. c ~' ) '; £ • S e:; t ~ •. e r 12 • 1977 Pc.c c 6 Wayne Bureot, 4108 s. Inca, r1ppear ed before the Council and sta ted t'rnt he wa s against ..-ater ITtt!te rs. Mr. Burgot stated th at if the population I o f Fnelcwood expands a.s predicted then moi·e water service would have to be generated. Co n s ~qu~ntly 1 a larger plant would have to be constructed anyw~ in order to adcquatel.7 supplJ the water. Mr. Burgot asked the Council to consider means ot supplying more water instead ot installing water meters. Roy Smith, lt490 s. Huron, appeared before the Council and stated that he was against water meters of the expense of installing a meter and the necessity of adding the installation coat onto the selling price or a home. Mr. Smith stated that he waa ot the opinion that the Cit1 would receive less revenue aa a result. Mr. Smith stated that he would prefer to PB¥ higher rates. Werner Schnackenberg, 4601 s. Bannock, appeared again before the Council and stated that the City i• trying to save $3.2 million by not building the larger plant to guarantee enough treated water tor the tlat rate users. If the citizens want to continue the flat rate then they will have to pq for the larger plant. Mr. Schnackenb erg stated that it the City passed the ordinance on vater me ters then a possible solution for lm.'ering the base rate for senior citizen• could be ~orked out. Bill Clayton, Jr., 958 E. Cornell, appeared again before the Council and requested that the figure of $3.2 million be examined to determine whether the cost ot the meters we.a ·considered. Cl&lton Smith, 4100 S. Galapago, appeared again before the Council and stated that he would probably l ive in hi1 house as a senior citizen and preferred to save the mone1 required to i nstall a Th eter to use as income when he geta older than P&l' out &fl1 money at all. Ma¥or Taylor entered into the record two letters objecting to water meters one from Mr. Arthur Rose Rnd Mrs. Rita Rose and the second from ''1!' •. Ja.rr.es Miller. \:ey ne ·E..r e.:;ty, 38 1 • '". e: kEe , ~::;,}. "'e:--:>d c.~a in befo re ti e Cc,un cil a ,d &sk e d i f t e r.:. E: -• .' .:::: .d t 1:, ~ ~ re,r r :r .i :1t c· J ld C017.e f~\:.:::-, tf.8 sc. e o ~ --u.ter t o ot he r .YE:'.: s . Septemb er 12 1 19'(7 Page 1 Wayne Bu rgot, 3401 s. Inca, appeared a gain before the Council and and stated t hat it the City built a plant to make a savings ot $3.2 million would the plant still be ina dequ ate in supplying enough treated water in the future and would the City be forced to construct another plant in order to suppq enough treated water. Mr. Burgot stated that he thought a larger plant should be built. Mayor T2'l'lor asked it th~re was &n7 one else wishing to address the Council on this ordinance. No one replied. Mayor T&l'lor thanked evert- one tor attending and expressing their opinions. Mayor T&l'lor reiterated that the Council would consider the suggestions brought torth during their stud7 session and return with answers in the near future. COUNCILMAlf WILLIAMS MOVED TO CLOOE THE PUBLIC HEARIBG. Counc~lman Sovern seconded the motion. Upon a call ot the roll, the vote resulte"cl" u t'ollowa1 Ayes: Council Members Mann, Brown, Cl~on, Williama, Sovern, Smith, Taylor Nays: None The Mayor declared the motion carried. • • • • • • Mayor Taylor declared a recess at 9:10 P.M. City Council reconvened at 9:25 P.M. Upon a call•ot the roll, the tollowing were presents Council Members Willia.ms, Sovern, Smith, Brown, Mann, Clayton, Tqlor Absent: None The M~or declared a quorum present. • • • • • • COUNCILMAN WILLIAMS MOVED TO ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION AND DISCUSS APPOIJITMrnTS TO WATER AND SFi-IER BOARD AND THE APPOINTMENT TO PLANNING AND ZONING COMMIS SION. Counci D na n Br ow n seconded the motion. Upon a call of the roll, the vote r es ulte d P.S follo ~s : Aye s: Co u ncil ~~e mbEcr s !~~ nn , Bro'W'n, Clayton, Will:i.ens, Sov ern, Smith 7 e yl or ;,,., s: .:one The May o r de:cl are d the mo tion carried. • * • • • • Th e Co n cil a.dj o· rne d to Co n fe r e nce Ro om D in e xecutive ses si on at 9: 30 P.M. h e Cou ncil r e conve n e d to public s eP sion at 9: l.iO PoM• COUN CI LMAN MAN N MOVED TO APPO I NT MRS. MEREDITH FE.A.MS'fi!R 4865 S. ELATI TO F I LL ONE VAC AN CY ON THE WAT ER AUD SEWER BOARD. Councilman Williams seconded t he reot i on. Up o n a c a ll of the r oll, the vote resulted as follows: Aye s: Coimcil Mem bers J\~a nn, Brown, Clayton, 'Williams, Sovern, Smith Taylor Nays: None The Mayor declared the motion carried. • • • • • • COUNCILMAN SOVERN MOVED TO APPOINT RUDDY WITTHUS TO FILL THE OTHER VACANCY 01 THE 'WATER AND SEWm BOARD. Councilman Brown seconded the motion. Upon a call of the roll, the vote resulted as follows: Ayes: Nays: Council M~nbers Mann, Brown, Clayton, 'Williams, Sovern, Smith Taylor None Th e Ma yor declared the motion carried. • • • • • COUNCILlliAN SMITH MOVED TO APPOINT ED DRAPER, 3673 s. BROAIWAY TO THE FILL THE VACANCY ON THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION• Councilman Mann seconded the motion. Ayes: :; y e: Council Members Mann, Brown, Clayton, Williams, Sovern, Smith, Taylor No ne The Ma yor decla red the motion carried. • • • • • • co ·crLMAN SOV ERN MOVE D TO ADJO URN THE SPECIAL COUNCIL MEEI'I NG. ~ 1 1 , -1 ~ -:.:::... ~s.nn s e co:-,-:e d he :-;: ti o n . Up on a c a l l of the roll, the v ote r e c -~d ~s fo l::;w s : ........ -. -.... · -~. . . • i n e :Sr vr., ~: -:i.· t on , Wi lli ..s . ,_cve r n , Sl""i t h, ::-:.e :.:~·or de clare d the r::::r:ior c ~r:ried , c.n d the meeti ng ws.s a d j our:i ed at 9: 50 ? • '-1.