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Council tables first reading of water ordinance after landlords, residents press deposit and notification concerns
Summary
After extensive public comment from landlords and tenants, council voted to table Ordinance 953 (water code updates). Speakers urged enforcing the existing deposit rule or revising deposit amounts rather than shifting liability to property owners; residents also raised concerns about notification and meter monitoring.
Council opened first reading of Ordinance 953, a package of changes to Chapter 21 moving rate-setting to a resolution and updating billing provisions. The ordinance prompted lengthy public comment from landlords and tenants concerned about a proposed $21.39 change and whether the city enforces the existing deposit requirement. Tom Schwabach said, “So I would be opposed to the $21.39 change.”
Landlords told council that shifting responsibility for unpaid bills onto property owners would increase housing costs. One landlord, citing unpaid tenant bills and difficult recovery in small claims or eviction proceedings, said deposits and shutoff processes had been used historically to reduce city losses. City staff and councilors debated enforcement practice: a staff member said, “I mean, you could get rid of $21.39 altogether if you wanted to.” After extended discussion and questions about how tenant moves-in/out are tracked and which accounts currently carry deposits, Council moved and passed a motion to table Ordinance 953 for further review.
