HomeMy WebLinkAbout[06] Waiving Utility Penalties for COVID-19
Council Agenda Item
6
April 20, 2020
MEETING DATE:
AGENDA ITEM:
Wave Utility Penalties for COVID-19
SUBMITTED BY:
Administration
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: N/A
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION: N/A
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: It has been recommended by the Minnesota Department of
Commerce (DOC), the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), and the Minnesota Municipal Utilities
Association (MMUA) to waive and/or reduce penalties and disconnects to utility customers due to
COVID-19. This will provide St Joseph residents in need with much needed relief during this disaster.
BUDGET/FISCAL IMPACT: Delayed Capture of Utility Revenue
ATTACHMENTS: Utility Policy for COVID-19
REQUESTED COUNCIL ACTION: Authorize the Mayor and Administrator to execute the Utility
Policy for COVID-19.
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AsrecommendedbytheMinnesotaDepartmentofCommerce(DOC)andthePublicUtilitiesCommission(PUC),andas
advisedbytheMinnesotaMunicipalUtilitiesAssociation(MMUA),andfollowingtheexampleofotherelectricandwater
utilities,theCityofStJosephismodifyingtheutilitydisconnectpolicyinresponsetotheCOVID19pandemic.TheCity
willmodifythedisconnectpolicyasfollows:
TheCityofStJosephwillextendColdWeatherProtection,forthosewhoarequalified,untilMay13,2020,or
untilthestateemergencyorderislifted,whicheverislonger.
TheCityofStJosephwillpostponedisconnectionduetodelinquentaccountsforresidentialandsmallbusiness
customersthatsufferhardshipduetoCOVID19.
TheCitywillrequireapaymentplanfromthoseaccountsthataredelinquentduetohardshipcausedby
COVID19.
TheCitywillrequestsomeformofdocumentationtoshowthathardshipoccurredduetoCOVID19.
TheCityofStJosephwillwaivelatefeesthatanyresidentialorsmallbusinesscustomerincursbecauseofthe
economiccircumstancesrelatedtothecoronaviruspandemic.
TheCityofStJosephwillcontinuewithutilitydisconnectsasusualforthosewhoaredelinquentanddonot
qualifyforColdWeatherProtection,andwhohavenotshownhardshipduetoCOVID19.TheCitywillexercise
discretionandmaydelaydisconnectsforthosethatdonotqualityforexemptionslistedabovewithafocuson
healthandsafety.
TheCityofStJosephwillcontinuetogiveoutdisconnectnotices,eventothosewhoqualifyforColdWeather
Protectionorareabletoshowhardship.
Adisconnectnoticemaymakeiteasierforacustomertoreceivecrisisfunds.
Thesepolicychangesshallnotaffecttheabilitytodisconnectacusserviceforpublicsafety
concernsunrelatedtononpaymentofservices.
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PASSEDbytheCityofStCityCouncilonthis20dayofApril,2020
ATTEST
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CityAdministratorMayor