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City Council Meeting Minutes March 2, 2021 <br />24. Receive a Staff presentation and hold discussion regarding the utility disconnections for <br />non-payment and late fees, and provide direction to Staff. <br />Marie Kalka, Director of Finance, provided the presentation on resuming <br />utility disconnections. <br />Ms. Kalka stated that in March 2020 the City Council agreed to halt utility <br />service disconnections for non-payment for 90 days due to difficulties our <br />community has been experiencing from the COVID-19 pandemic. In July 2020, <br />Council supported extending the date through Sept. 30, 2020. Currently, utility <br />disconnections remain on hold through March 31, 2021 as directed by Council <br />in November 2020. In December 2020, staff recommended, and Council <br />approved, setting the late fees suspension to the same date as nonpayment <br />disconnection hold of March 31, 2021. <br />Ms. Kalka mentioned staff will begin robo calls two days prior to <br />disconnections beginning in June 2021. <br />Ms. Kalka stated staff recommendations is to resume utility disconnections <br />and utility late fees effective July 1, 2021. <br />Council Member Gleason asked if the CARES replacement money could be <br />implemented before disconnections begin? Mr. Pantalion stated it will be <br />cutting it close to begin July 1. Council Member Gleason suggested changing <br />the date to August 1. <br />Mayor Pro Tem Derrick agreed with Council Member Gleason. She asked <br />about the late payments and disconnections she wanted to ensure people were <br />told it could be waived or they could receive payment assistance. Mr. Cavazos, <br />Utility Billing Manager stated the information is on the literature, website, and <br />staff informs customers by phone. Staff will also begin robo calls and courtesy <br />phone calls. <br />Council Member Baker stated the issue is getting people to apply for assistance <br />through Community Action. Mayor Hughson asked if we can pay for <br />individual's bill without applying and using COVID funds. Mr. Cosentino <br />stated if it has a public purpose for expending funds, then yes. Discussion is of <br />having a method of distributing funds. <br />Mayor Hughson asked what the dollar amount that is behind on payments? <br />Ms. Kalka stated since January 21 there is $9.6M that is owed. Ms. Kalka <br />expressed concerned with how many customers and how many months is the <br />City of San Marcos Page 24 <br />