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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1974-02-25 Special Minutes - Sewer Charges for Commercial and Industrial Buildings Public HearingFebruary 25, 1974 7:00 P.M. SUBJECT ROLL CALL OF COUNCIL MEMBERS MEETING DISCUSSION TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL Tukwila City Hall PUBLIC HEARING Council Chambers M I N U T E S SEWER CHARGES FOR MULTI- TENANT, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS GARDNER, STERLING, TRAYNOR, DAVIS, HARRIS, SAUL. Mayor Todd arrived at 7:20 P.M. Councilman Traynor called the meeting to order at 7:12 P.M. and announced the purpose of the meeting. Steve Hall, Public Works Director, presented a letter to each Coun- cilmember regarding the facts and recommendations concerning the sewer charges for multi- tenants, commercial and industrial build- ings. Steve Hall then gave a brief explanation of the information in his letter. Councilman Gardner stated this was equitable unless one of the tenants was using water as part of his business and caused an overage. Steve Hall stated this would be included in the overage charge as per the commercial charge. Certain flow require- ments would require certain size meters. They would have to go to a different meter if they go over the amount allowed. Business licenses do provide some control. Councilman Sterling stated in the past we have used one meter per unit, but this action now would not make that feasible and would be of greater cost to the City. If the charge is $4.50 for one and $4.00 for each additional unit, how would each individual be charged. Steve Hall stated it would be per tenant. Mayor Todd asked who pays for the first $4.50. Steve Hall stated it would be up to the owner to decide. Mr. By Sneva of Don Koll Northwest stated he could not see the implications of this, but, for example in our facility, we don't know who the tenant is going to be until the building is built and the water services are provided. It seems you would meter the building and work out a charge which the landlord would adjust. Usually the rental rates are adjusted. Mayor Todd asked if Mr. Sneva had a clause in his lease that allows the owner to adjust utility rates as they are adjusted by the City. Mr. Sneva stated he believed so, at least in the past his lease has been handled that way, and the charges were evaluated annually. Mayor Todd stated the only dis- advantage to this is in cases of vacancies in your facility. Mr. Sneva stated one of the things that does happen is a great turnover, which is encouraged because a small company usually grows and moves into a larger space and becomes a bigger company. Mrs. Maxine Anderson stated she saw the possibility of difficulty in policing the rate system. For example, McCann has 6 tenants and 6 meters while Don Koll has 6 tenants and 1 meter. The way we install the meters now is inconsistent. She would like to see consistency and better control. Councilman Gardner, referring to the property with 6 tenants, asked what size is the meter and what is the charge. Steve Hall stated the meter is 12 inches with 15 cents additional over the minimum of 700 cu. feet at $4.00, a flat rate. Councilman Sterling agreed with Mrs. Anderson, especially in cases of facilitie; with removable interior walls or when offices are remodeled. Steve Hall stated this could be controlled to some extent through the building codes and with the building inspector we now have to peri- odically inspect each facility. Councilman Sterling asked if the City could stay on top of all this. Steve Hall answered this is a new policy so there may be problems in this area, hopefully there will not be many. Mr. Sneva compared the McCann development which has 100,000 sq. ft. with Phase I of Don Koll which is approximately the same size but has 7 buildings and 42 tenants at 85% occupancy. There are a lot of meters based on the sq. footage of the building. Councilwoman Harris asked if this system were utilized, would the present facilities have to change over. Steve Hall replied no. Councilwoman Harris asked what was the thinking that determined that this new step was necessary. Steve Hall stated it was a considera- tion on the part of the City to equalize the charges in the interest of fairness. Councilwoman Harris asked if a proposed ordinance would need to be drawn up. Steve Hall replied that was up to the Council. Councilman Gardner asked what the added revenue would be. Mayor Todd stated that for a 9 -unit building we would get $32 more because of the extra $4.00 per unit per month. Councilman Sterling stated the least the City would get is $4.00 from each unit. If the unit were a big user in the building to bring up the consumption of water, what would we then do. Steve Hall stated this would be a specialty problem that would be taken care of on an individual basis The meter size now is based on the American Water Works Association and any tenant requiring large volumes of water such as pharmaceuti- cal firms or photo processing facilities would have its water needs Tukwila City Council Public Hearing February 25, 1974 Page 2 MEETING DISCUSSION Cont. reviewed at the time they considered occupying building space. CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING Mayor Todd closed the Public Hearing at 7:34 P.M. ADJOURNMENT 7:35 P.M. MOVED BY TRAYNOR, SECONDED BY STERLING, THAT SEWER CHARGES FOR MULTI- TENANT, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS BE INCLUDED ON THE AGENDA FOR THE NEXT REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING. CARRIED. MOVED BY TRAYNOR, SECONDED BY DAVIS, THAT THE PUBLIC HEARING ADJOURN. CARRIED. ATTEST: Frank Todd, Mayor Shirlee A. Kinney, City /Clerk r