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Council OKs card‑processing changes, ends card autopay and approves purchase of three‑phase meters
Summary
Council approved staff recommendations to eliminate in‑office convenience fees (per new rules), end card‑based autopay in favor of ACH, retire an unsupported US Bank reader, and approved sole‑source purchase of eight three‑phase demand meters (NextGrid) despite tariff and lead‑time concerns.
City staff told the council federal and processor rules prevent charging convenience or surcharge fees for in‑person debit and prepaid card payments; online convenience fees remain possible. Staff recommended eliminating convenience fees, discontinuing card‑based autopay (customers may use ACH or bank arrangements instead) and retiring an older US Bank card reader that no longer receives security updates unless the city purchases an $8,900 replacement unit. The council approved the recommended payment‑processing changes.
Separately, staff presented a procurement for three‑phase demand meters to maintain spare inventory for large customers; the meters must be programmed through the city’s NextGrid system, making the purchase effectively a sole‑source procurement. Staff proposed ordering eight three‑phase meters; council members raised concerns about an 18% tariff on those meters and long lead times for gateways and collectors that have been on order for months. Staff said gateways were ordered in March and were expected by mid‑July but delivery timing is uncertain. The council approved the bid for the three‑phase demand meters to avoid running out of spares.
