Stephen R. Stuart and Dave Burkhart discuss sewer bill payment options with council Tuesday night.

The Council is wasting little time in filling the vacant seat left by resigning Council Member Brian Sipes. They will be accepting applications for the City Council seat this week. The deadline to turn them in the application is May 29, 2013 at noon. A staff report will be written up and a decision by the Council will be made at a meeting on Friday, May 31, 2013.

There were less than 10 people in attendance at Tuesday's Fillmore City Council Meeting, a surprise considering an agenda item that could have a big impact on most City residents and businesses. That item was a workshop about placing future sewer service changes as an assessment on the tax roll for collection instead of being billed each month. The Sewer Ad Hoc Committee spent a significant amount of time on possible ways to cut costs and came up with a range of different ideas. The billing change was one idea proposed in an effort to help the City's cash flow and cut the drain on City staff, by eliminating monthly notices or water shut offs, which require City staff work hours. "The big issue," according to Stephen R. Stuart, Fillmore Building Official and Code Enforcement Officer, "is the unpaid service charges are a burden to the rest of the paying customers."

Former Mayor Roger Campbell addressed the Council stating, "I have some things I'd like you to consider. People live from paycheck to paycheck. Our tax bill will go up a huge amount, anywhere from $1,000 to $1,500. There's also the impact on renters and landlords.....Many people have their mortgage and tax bill together through their banks and many don't save that tax money month to month."

Former Council Member Steve Conaway told the Council, "You're just adding another bureaucracy to the process." Mayor Rick Neal asked Dave Burkhart what came of the discussions with the County Tax Assessors Office and Burkhart responded that the process would be almost identical to the Landscape and Lighting District which they are already handling.

Council Member Douglas Tucker asked if the change would improve the City's bond rating. Burkhart responded, "I would say yes because 100% of the charges will be collected." One issue with the City's bond rating and it being lowered was the delinquency rate. Stuart added, "It would be difficult....I'm not sure we could get the bonds refinanced..... the savings are mostly in reduced staff time. It will allow the staff to work less overtime."

Tucker responded for every $55,000 saved it is one dollar off the sewer bill. Acting City Manager Rigo Landeros reminded the Council that the change being considered is just for the sewer rate bill and that monthly bills for water would continue to be sent out.

Tucker and Mayor Pro Tem Manuel Minjares agreed there needs to have more discussions with the public on the issue with Tucker stating, "I'd like us to take our time and allow outreach with the public." Minjares agreed stating, "Yes, we need to have a greater outreach. This will affect a large amount of residents." Neal then questioned how much of a savings the change would actually be making. "I wonder how much is going to go into this. I don't know if this is the right answer." Stuart responded, "We don't have exact numbers on this.....maybe this could be considered for next year." Newly appointed Council Member Diane McCall asked what the outstanding debt was and what impact would the change have on lowering the water bill. Then she asked if there was a way out if the City later decided they wanted to revert back to direct billing. Stuart replied that the City must stay with the change for one year.

Neal's added, "I think we should wait until after the budget is settled.” To which Minjares said, "I think we should table it, maybe bring it back later." Tucker than replied, "It seems right now no one likes this option.....we should bring it back at a latter date."

Bringing a number of items back at a later date is something the Council has little control over in recent days after unexpected resignations were handed in leaving only four Council Members and no Financial Director. This has impacted the Council's ability to address a number of issues. City Attorney Tiffany Israel told the Council Members, "There are a lot of things that have to be put on hold so you don't have a Brown Act violation."

Council is dealing with is the resignation of both Council Member Brian Sipes and the Acting Finance Director Glenda Jay, which happened just as the Council was swearing in new Council Member Diane McCall. Neal who earlier in the meeting said, "The timing of Mr. Sipes is really hindering City business,” and later stated, "The timing of the resignations was a big disappointment." Sipes resigned on May 14, 2013 and Jay gave her two weeks notice on May 15, 2013 citing health issues.

The Council is at the end of the process of hiring a new City Manager as the vetting process begins. There should be a new City Manager sometime in July or August which hopefully will resolve some problems Fillmore is now facing.

On the brighter side, there are people giving notice that they would be willing to serve the City. Former Council Member Steve Conaway stated, "I was approached by various people in the community asking if I would apply for the council seat. I have no desire to run for Council again, but I would like to help with some of the institutional knowledge and would look forward to serving the community for the short term."

Another person from Fillmore's recent past is former City employee Kevin McSweeney, who worked for over 15 years in Fillmore's Planning Department and has a great deal of institutional knowledge. McSweeney will once again be working for the City of Fillmore as a contracted employee. The City's Planning Department has a number of large planning projects including the Business Park Project and is understaffed. McSweeney worked on the Fillmore Business Project and has knowledge of where it began and how it has proceeded. He will be providing contract planning services in connection with the project as directed by the City Manager.

There has been a settlement between the City and resigned Councilman A. Eduardo Gonzalez, for the delinquent water and sewer fees owed on his two businesses, Fillmore Convalescent Center and Orange Blossom Villa. The property owners, The Kenneth V. Dunton Trust, have agreed to pay the principal ($123,776.08) and will be responsible for all future water and sewer utilities. The Trust is also paying an additional $2,500 for the time, effort and expense related to resolving the debt. The late fees and interest ($80,288.38) have been waved through the amnesty program offered to all Fillmore residents who have accumulated late fees and interest on their sewer and water bills and agree to bring their bills current. Minjares stated that this is something that has been in the works on for a long time.