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St. Helena council halves water penalty for account under appeal
Summary
The council granted a partial waiver of a water‑penalty balance on an appeal, reducing the outstanding penalty by half; the account holder was not present for the hearing.
The St. Helena City Council approved a partial waiver of a water‑penalty account on appeal, waiving half of the outstanding penalty amount the city staff listed on the account.
City staff summarized prior penalty appeals and explained the council has discretion to deny an appeal, grant a full waiver, or grant a partial waiver. Staff reported the remaining penalty on the account totaled about $41,642.08; a half‑waiver equates to $20,821.04.
The account holder was not present; councilmembers considered prior cases where waivers were granted when leaks were later verified, when customers demonstrated intent to reduce usage, or where other extenuating circumstances applied. Councilmember Barrick said he would “mimic the precedent” of granting a half waiver; council discussion produced a motion to approve a partial waiver equal to 50 percent of the current penalty balance.
A motion to waive $20,821.04 carried on roll call (Councilmember Summers, Councilmember Barrick, Councilmember Deasy, Councilmember Spatarotto and Mayor Doreen recorded as voting yes). Staff will apply the waiver to the account and notify the customer; the city emphasized council retains discretion for penalty appeals and that each appeal is considered on its facts.
