HomeMy WebLinkAbout6a. Hydrant Meter Procedures4ROSEMOUNTEXECUTIVE SUMMARY
CITY COUNCIL
Utility Commission Meeting: July 8, 2013
AGENDA ITEM: Hydrant Meter Procedures
AGENDA SECTION:
New Business
PREPARED BY: Andrew J. Brotzler, PE, Director of
END q NO
Public Works / City Engineer
AG
ATTACHMENTS: Hydrant Meter Permit Application, gpPROVED BY:
Hydrant Meter Permit, Letter
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Motion to Approve the attached Hydrant Meter Permit
Application and Hydrant Meter Permit
ISSUE
The city currently makes available hydrant meters to contractors for the purpose of tapping into city
water for temporary use on projects. Staff is in the process of revamping the manner in which hydrant
meters are requested, the purposes for which they are allowed, and changing the pricing structure to
protect the city from losses due to lost, misplaced, or damaged hydrant meters and the loss of water
revenue associated with such meters.
BACKGROUND
Currently hydrant meters are loaned out for use with a deposit check equal to the current cost of a
hydrant meter. The check is then held until the meter is returned and the invoice for water consumed
is paid, at which time the deposit check is returned.
Recently there have been meters that have not been returned for extended periods of time, some as
long as three years. Those contractors with outstanding meters of a year or longer, have been requested
to update meter readings and submit new deposit checks in the amount of the price of a new hydrant
meter. In doing so, it was discovered that a meter was lost. The deposit check did not cover the
increase in cost of a hydrant meter between the time it was taken and the current cost. In addition, the
water consumed cannot be verified for billing.
SUMMARY
Staff is recommending the following:
1. Charge an annual administrative fee of $50 to each contractor for the use of the City's
hydrant meters.
2. Increase the deposit to $2,000 to cover the replacement cost of a meter and assumed cost of
water usage.
3. Limit the length of time a contractor is allowed to possess a meter to 90 days.
4. A Hydrant Meter Permit Application will be made available online, allowing the utility
department to approve the use of a given hydrant meter.
GAUTILITY COMMISSIONWC InformatioM20130708 UC Hydrant Meter Procedures.docx
5. Using a different colored hydrant meter to allow Staff to recognize unauthorized hydrant
usage at a glance may also prevent water theft.
4ROSEMOUNT
MINNESOTA PERMIT APPLICATION
HYDRANT METER PERMIT
(Please type or print)
Project
Location
Dates Needed _
Contact Person
Company
Address
City /State /Zip
Phone No.
Email
Please allow 24 hours from time of permit application submission for permit approval.
Hydrant Meter Permits are valid for 90 days from date of issue, and can be renewed once by submitting
another permit application. If the hydrant meter is not returned or renewed by submitting another
permit application on or before the permit expiration date, the deposit will not be returned. The
hydrant meter is only to be used in the location approved for use below. Any meter malfunction, such
as a leak, must be reported to the city immediately. Water usage will be determined by the meter
reading at the time of issue deducted from the meter reading at the time of return. Water usage charges
will be determined by the current City Fee List. Upon timely payment of the water usage invoice, the
deposit will be returned.
I hereby apply for a Hydrant Meter Permit and I acknowledge that the information above is complete and accurate; that
the work will be done for the purpose stated above, using the hydrant designated by the city; that I am responsible for all
water usage charges; that I understand this is not a permit but only an application for a permit and a hydrant meter and
permit will not be issued until all fees, deposits, and approvals are collected.
Applicant's Signature Date
Page 1 of 2 G: \Water \Hydrant Meters \HYDRANT METER PERMIT APPLICATION.docx
FOR CITY USE ONLY
Hydrant Connection Location
Approval is subject to the hydrant meter being used at the following location:
Approved by:
Date
PERMIT FEES Amount Date Received
Annual Administration Fee *(non-
refundable)
Deposit Charge*
TOTAL FEES
*Please submit separate checks, one for the Administration Fee and one for the Deposit Charge.
Page 2 of 2 G: \Water \Hydrant Meters \HYDRANT METER PERMIT APPLICATION.docx
*Please submit separate checks, one for the Administration Fee and one for the Deposit Charge.
Page 2 of 2 G: \Water \Hydrant Meters \HYDRANT METER PERMIT APPLICATION.docx
Date
«Name>>
« Address_>>
«City>>, « State>> «State» «Zip»
Re: City of Rosemount Hydrant Meter Permit Application
Dear Sir or Madam:
This letter is to advise your company of a change in the City of Rosemount's procedures and fees
regarding the use of the City's hydrant meters. You are receiving this letter because you have used
one of the City's hydrant meters in the past.
Effective immediately, the City will now issue permits for the use of hydrant meters. The permit
will allow use of the meter for one 90 -day period. The meter may be renewed for one additional 90-
day period by submitting another permit application before the end of the 90 -day period. The City
will charge each contractor an annual administrative fee of $50 for the use of the hydrant meters.
There will not be any additional administrative fee charged for a renewal or subsequent permits.
Further, the City will be requesting a check in the amount of $2,000 to hold as a deposit on the
meter and the water used. Upon return of the hydrant meter and payment of the water invoice, the
deposit check will be returned to you. If you fail to return the meter within the 90 days, the $2,000
deposit check will not be returned.
Enclosed you will find a copy of the Hydrant Meter Permit A h ation form which you can find
online at our website of htip: / /,v«-%v.ci.rosemount.mn.us/ Please note that you should
allow 24 hours from the time of your application for permit approval. If you have any questions,
please call the Public Works Department at 651 - 322 -2022. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Andrew J. Brotzler, PE
City Engineer
Enclosure
G: \water \Hydrant Meters \Letter to Contractors re Pohcy.docs