UPC votes: agenda, minutes, 2026 rates, fees, CIP, per diem and invoices recommended or approved

The Utility Policy Committee (UPC) met Sept. 11 and took a series of formal actions on procedural items and utility matters. Key votes and outcomes are summarized below.

Votes at a glance

- Agenda acceptance: Motion by Peter Hafner, supported by Tom Lee to accept the meeting agenda. Motion carried (recorded as approved during roll call; specific tally not recorded in transcript).

- Draft minutes (08/14/2025): Motion by John Crum, second by Peter Hafner to accept the draft minutes as presented. Motion carried (approved; no detailed tally recorded).

- 2026 water rates: Motion by Peter Hafner, second by Jeff Chamberlain to recommend the rate package in the Sept. 11 memo (class-specific changes: residential +6.5%; multifamily +3%; commercial +5%; industrial +2%; seasonal 0%). Motion carried 5–0 (two members absent). UPC forwarded the recommendation to the City Commission; staff said a Committee of the Whole presentation is planned for November, with ordinance readings in December.

- System capacity fee (2026): Motion by Peter Hafner, second by Tom Wheat to recommend maintaining the system capacity fee at $11.75 per unit (as recommended in the Sept. 11 memo). Motion carried 5–0 (two absent).

- 2026 drinking water installation charges: Motion to recommend increasing installation charges to $3,900 (partial service) and $7,200 (full service) for 1-1/4" and smaller service lines, with a 36-month payment spread available. Motion carried 5–0 (two absent).

- 2026 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP): Motion by Tom Wheat, second by John Crum to recommend the 2026 CIP to the City Commission. Motion carried 5–0 (two absent). Staff noted the CIP is a multi-year document and that projects may be shifted between years for construction coordination.

- UPC per diem designations: Motion to formally identify the professional members who are otherwise uncompensated and to set the professional per-diem at $101.50 per meeting for those identified (Will Roland and alternate Mark Elliott were identified as professionals). Motion carried 5–0 (two absent).

- Professional services invoices: Motion by Peter Hafner, second by John Crum to approve the Maine Meridian LLC invoice (invoice O0190). Motion carried with 4 ayes, 1 abstention and 2 absent. Motion to approve Hafner Group invoice for $1,058.30 carried 4 ayes, 1 abstention (Hafner) and 2 absent.

Several motions were forwarded to the City Commission as recommendations rather than final actions; the UPC recorded its votes and requested staff and UPC members attend the Commission presentations where appropriate.