Title
Resolution to Approve New Advanced Metering Infrastructure Opt-Out Fees and Amend the Public Services Area Rules and Regulations
Memorandum
The attached resolution proposes to establish new fees and regulations for utility customers who wish to opt-out of the city’s current automatic remote meter reading equipment. An opt-out of the automatic remote meter reading equipment will require water meter reads to be collected manually by staff.
For more than 15 years, the city had made use of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI). AMI provides increased meter reading accuracy, improved billing, opportunity for enhanced customer services, and reduced operating costs over other metering technologies. The AMI technology uses radio frequency transmitting devices which are connected to the water meter by wire and transmits meter readings wirelessly to the city. These devices are known as meter transmission units (MTU) and are located inside the home near the water meter.
The proposed amendments to the Public Services Area Rules and Regulations will provide customers two alternatives to the standard setup -
Option 1: Relocate MTU to outside of house. All AMI benefits remain for customer.
$115.00 - One-time Installation Fee*
Option 2: Removal of MTU and install reading display equipment to the outside of the home for collection of quarterly reads manually by City. No AMI benefits for the customer.
$399.00 - Initial Setup Fee*
$58.00 - Quarterly Meter Reading Fee
*Homeowner required to install wire to exterior of home in accordance with city specifications
Eligibility requirements can be found in the attached program document.
The proposed fees seek full cost recovery and were based upon estimated time spent to provide this service including labor, materials, equipment, and overhead costs.
Budget/Fiscal Impact: Staff is responding to requests for an alternative option to the current automatic remote method of meter reading and does not have an accurate assessment on the resulting financial impact
Staff
Prepared by; Troy Baughman, Systems Planning Project Manager
Reviewed by; Molly Maciejewski, Public Works Manager
Craig Hupy, Public Services Area Administrator
Approved by; Milton Dohoney Jr., Interim City Administrator
Body
Whereas, Staff recommends providing customers alternatives to the current automatic remote meter reading equipment;
Whereas, Fees in Public Works are not established to recover fully burdened costs to provide alternate options to the current automatic remote meter reading setup; and
Whereas, Staff estimated the fully burdened costs to establish full cost recovery for this service;
RESOLVED, The Public Services Rules and Regulations be adopted to include the advanced metering infrastructure opt-out services;
RESOLVED, The FY22 Public Works fees be adjusted to adopt the new fees related to the advanced metering infrastructure opt-out services;
RESOLVED, That the fee adjustments become effective immediately; and
RESOLVED, That City Council authorizes the City Administrator and Clerk to take all necessary administrative actions to implement this resolution.