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Residents raise snow-shoveling, water-bill and treasurer-office concerns; council approves small water contract change order and hears meter update
Summary
During public comment residents urged stronger enforcement of sidewalk snow removal and raised reports of large water bills; council approved a $5,832.45 water-main contract modification, heard that the AMI meter replacement is 74% complete, and the treasurer proposed extending the tax deadline and removing a $1 reprint fee.
Residents used the public-comment period to press the city about public-safety and billing issues. Angela Venegas (Dwight Street) told the council many businesses and residents are not shoveling sidewalks, creating hazards for children and bicyclists; she also asked what steps the city is taking to identify and enforce rules against short-term rentals (Airbnbs). Other residents reported unusually high water bills (one vacant home received a $1,200 bill) and long waits in the treasurer's office.
Administration and department staff responded: ordinance/DPW said targeted enforcement had produced about 14 enforcements around Polk and other focused efforts on Van Born and school areas. Staff said they have identified roughly seven Airbnbs under investigation and are issuing tickets after clearing legal review.
In formal business, the council approved a DWSRF water-main replacement contract modification No. 2 adding $5,832.45 for unforeseen materials and work (change order motion carried). Staff explained the change order resulted from differing service sizes encountered in the field and necessary design adjustments near a GLWA 36-inch main; much of the DWSRF work is subject to state contingency rules and partial funding by the state.
Treasurer Lisa Hicks Clayton requested council consideration to extend the winter tax deadline to Feb. 26 and offered the option to remove a longstanding $1 reprint fee for primary residence exemption bills; she urged residents to contact the treasurer's office with documentation on disputed postings. Water billing director Rachel Lapointe reported the meter replacement program is 74% complete, with about 16,000 meters changed and ~4,522 appointments remaining; appointments are free and weekend slots are available.
Council asked staff to follow up on specific resident complaints, to check vendor/contractor obligations for grass replacement after main-line work, and to cross-train staff on the BS&A (BSNA) system to improve posting and customer service.
