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City Council Meeting Minutes June 18, 2020 <br />may encourage customers to pay something. <br />Council Member Mihalkanin asked about the contract with the collection <br />agency. He would like to see what percentage the collection agency does <br />receive. Ms. Runkle will locate this and send the information to council. <br />Stephanie Reyes, Assistant City Manager stated there may be pressure on the <br />rate models and we don't know when this type of payment plan will start <br />effecting the models. Council Member Mihalkanin stated that he is aware that <br />we have to make sure we are obtaining enough payment from citizens to make <br />sure services can still be provided. He is still hesitant to move forward with <br />normal payment processing until he has further information on the collection <br />agency contract. <br />Council Member Baker mentioned the lack of equity to pay because there are <br />some people that are not able to work at this time. He asked if there is some <br />type of pay it forward program for those that can pay a little extra to help pay <br />for another account. Are there some philanthropic agencies that can assist, is <br />there CDBG-CV funding to help pay for utility bills? Ms. Runkle stated that <br />we do not have an answer for the CARES Act funding related to utilities. <br />Mayor Hughson asked if there is an option on the bill to donate money to a <br />fund for assistance? Council Member Mihalkanin stated there are two boxes <br />on utility bill and one is for parkland and the other is for utility assistance <br />fund. Council asked if an insert could be included in the bill that highlights <br />this option. Mayor Hughson stated that many pay online and would like to see <br />if this same option is available online? Ms. Reyes stated that we will look into <br />the online option as well. <br />Council consensus is to extend the payment arrangement for an at least an <br />additional 30 days and a definitive resolution will be determined at the July 7th <br />City Council meeting. Staff is to send council the collection agency percentages <br />and see if the payment for the utility assistance fund is available for those <br />paying online. These answers should be sent as quickly as staff can provide it. <br />Bert Lumbreras, City Manager, stated the message is clear and more specifics <br />will be brought forward and the Council's questions will addressed. He noted <br />that a resolution is not required as staff can do this administratively. <br />11. Hold discussion on Capes Dam, including but not limited to Hays County Parks <br />proposals; and provide direction to the City Manager. <br />Mayor Pro Tem Mihalkanin provided a quick update on the steps taken this <br />City of San Marcos Page 16 <br />