Posted: 6/21/05
City wonít adjust water bill
By Jane Palen
Managing Editor
Patrick and Holly Dvorak will be required to pay a city water and sewer bill of $506.52 for a home that was empty when the charges accrued, from approximately November 15, 2004, to February 28, 2005, when the last meter reading was called in.
The council has discussed the Dvorak case on several occasions, and a committee met with the couple in May to discuss the bill. The Dvoraks spoke to the council at its June 13 meeting.
The bill represented 18,016 cubic feet of water that went through the meter at 803 South Pine, or about 135,000 gallons. The Dvoraks say that their bills were normal when they occupied the house, and have returned to normal after the new owners moved in.
Tony Klug of the cityís water department removed the meter June 2 and said he found no mechanical problems. He said he feels the meter was working properly during the time period in question.
ìI just go by whatís on the meter,î he said. ìIt (the water) has to be going through the meter.î
Holly Dvorak told the council ìI have a hard time paying for something that we donít understand. We tried to find answers.î
Patrick Dvorak said the water was turned off to the toilets in the house, except for one in the basement. He said he checked the house 8-10 times when it was empty to make sure the heat was on, and there was no water running.
Earlier, the Dvoraks had furnished the council with statements from the real estate agent who listed the house, Neil Morey, who said that he never noticed leaking or toilets water running during the times he showed the house.
The new owners also signed a statement to the effect that all the plumbing was in good working order and there were no leaks, water damage, or toilets running.
City councilman Robert Standish suggested that the city make an adjustment to the Dvorakís bill.
City clerk Robert Nelson told the Dvoraks that ìIt is our belief that the water went through the meter.î If an adjustment is made, he said, it would set a precedent and more residents would ask for adjustments. He recommended that the council not adjust the bill
ìWe would be opening a can of worms if we adjusted the bill,î said council member Randi Vick.
Two dogs to be
returned to owner
In another matter, the council agreed to return two dogs to Gary Sand of South Winnebago Street. Three dogs were taken several weeks ago by the animal control officer Mike Gavin after neighbors complained of barking.
In a subsequent meeting with the council, Sand said that one of the dogs causes the others to bark, and that there was not a problem before the third dog came to the home.
The council warned Sand that if further complaints are received, the dogs will have to be removed.
ìI canít say that this wonít happen again, but Iíll do my best to see that it doesn't happen again,î Sand told the council.
Taser demonstration
Chief Randy Shefelbine and Officer Jim Logan demonstrated Tasers for the council and answered questions about their use.
The Tasers have been used twice in the three months the department has had them. They work by incapacitating a person temporarily with an electrical jolt of 50,000 volts. That often gives officers enough time to handcuff or other wise subdue their suspect. The Taser also works on animals. The department has four Tasers, which were paid for by grants.
When the Taser is used, it dispels ìtagsî which can be traced to the officer who used it. Also recorded are the date, time and duration of use. The department does not have a formal policy regarding Taser use, said Chief Shefelbine, but relies on the common sense of the officers to determine when it is necessary.
Officer Logan received two daysí training to become qualified to teach Taser use. Officers have four hours of initial training to use the Tasers.
Medicare reimbursements
cost ambulance service
The ambulance service will write off more than $37,000 in uncollectible debt for 2004, the council learned at its last meeting. Most of that amount represents Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements which fell short of the bill.
Under government regulations, the ambulance service must accept the Medicare or Medicaid reimbursement and may not bill the patient for the portion that went unpaid.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com