HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976 02-17 Maplewood approves water rate plan THE REVIEW Maplewood approves
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water rate plan
by Scott Carlson But in taking their action, the coun-
A new water consumption rate with a 20 cilmen were concerned about their future
percent added differential charge over bargaining position.
the amount charged to St.Paul customers "Once you agree to the rate you have
has been approved by the Maplewood city nothing to bargain with,"Mayor Robert
council. Bruton pointed out.
The council's action last Thursday night But city administrators feared that
brings to an end the possibility that the St. unnecessarily holding up approval of the
Paul Water Department, which is water rate structure might damage the
Maplewood's water supplier, might cut gains made in open communications.
off the contract with the city.Under the Maplewood City Attorney Donald Lain
current contract the Water Board of said,"The attitude and personnel we're
Commissioners had the right to provide dealing with is so different that you can
notice of contract termination this spring. not imagine you are dealing with the
But the council's approval of the new same organization."
rate structure, which had been Lais added, "If we do not sign the
unresolved for more than one year, is contract it probably will not lead to any
conditional to alteration in the terminal crisis.But it leaves us without a
specifications regarding cover and in- framework to work with."
spection. Bruton noted that in the fall of 1973 the
Maplewood city administrators at the Board of Water Commissioners voted to
meeting,contended that a partial victory terminate Maplewood's contract. "I've
has been gained by the openness exhibited not heard otherwise,"he said.
by the Water Department under the However councilman Burton Murdock
direction of Elmer Huset, water responded, "As far as putting on the
manager.A new section to the contract squeeze we have nothing to squeeze.He
between the St.Paul Water Board and later added,"We should be thankful that
Maplewood stipulates that there will be they are at least willing to listen to us.
an annual review of the Water Board's Maybe they will modernize that archaic
standards,rules and regulations"as they system."
relate to Maplewood."
Under the new rate structure
Maplewood users with demand or fixed
charges would be charged according to
the following schedule:
Demand or Fixed Charges
Meter size
3/4"or smaller $ 3.15 per quarter
5.40 per quarter
ly•, 1.50 per month
Ws 3.85 per month
2" 7.15 per month
3" 19.35 per month
32.65 per month
d" 66.55 per month
8" 111.00 per month
10" 193.60 per month
IZ" 166.20 per month
Consumption rates for Maplewood water
users would be based on the following
formula:
Consumption Rate
First 50,000 cu.ft.of water per month at 47 cents per
100 cu.ft.
Next 450,000 cu.ft.of water per month at 35 cents per
100 cu.ft.
All over 500,000 cu.ft.of water per month at 23 cents
per 100<u.ft.
subject to adlustmenis to be made during the period
of the contract In accordance with the following con-
ditions:
Maplewood Manager Michael Miller
noted that the water rates were unaltered,
from previous negotiations meetings.
"However,the water manager and his
staff have met with Maplewood's staff
and agreed to undertake certain changes
in specifications which will probably
result in favorable effect upon the city of
Maplewood,"Miller explained.