Memorandum 17-018 Waiver of Penalties for Natural Gas Assessments

Memorandum 17-018

TO:                        Homer City Council

THROUGH:        Katie Koester, City Manager

FROM:                 Jenna deLumeau, Acting Finance Director

DATE:                   January 18, 2017

SUBJECT:          Waiver of Penalties for Natural Gas Distribution Special Assessment

Resolution 16-079(S)(A) outlines procedures for waiving penalties on delinquent special assessment payments.  The resolution provides a fair and consistent policy to review waivers by recognizing exceptional circumstances.   Examples of exceptional circumstances are clerical errors, U.S. Postal Service errors, or extreme personal hardship such as a serious illness or the death of the property owner or an immediate family member.

The finance dept. is requesting that prepayment of penalties be waived as I have encouraged folks to at least make the scheduled payment if they could not afford the penalties.  It also seems silly to ask for the penalties to have to refund them back.

I have the following requests which fall into three categories.  Due to confidentiality, the requests are not attached, but can be viewed by contacting the City Clerk.  Below are my recommendations.  

Approve.  Legitimate requests that meets all the requirements of Resolution 16-079(S)(A).

Rosemarie Johnson 175-063-16

Scott Glosser 173-070-85

Jane Pascall 175-100-71 and 177-040-09

Barry and Jody Levit 177-040-28, 29, and 30

Conditional Approval.  Meets all the requirements of Resolution 16-079(S)(A) pending one item.

Gloria Corey 179-030-65; payments not made. $819.54 due

Elaine Chalup 175-081-47; payments not made. $214.27 due

Everett Anderson 177-175-05; documentation needed.

Shirley and Stanley Houghton 175-114-11; documentation needed.

Deny.  Not eligible pursuant to Resolution 16-079(S)(A),

Brad Somers 173-720-05 – thought payment was due Sept 1; was out commercial fishing

William Stovall 179-320-03 and 179-320-04 – was out working in Attu

Clark and Victoria Winne 177-191-10 and 174-010-01 – thought payment was on auto-pay; was out of town at sea

Guy and June Morgan 175-082-11 – was out working in False Pass; wife working in Fairbanks

Steven J Rich 173-690-08 – did not get bill; however we did mail to owner and address on record with KPB

Christopher Robinson 174-051-19 – did not get bill due to purchase timing of property; however was notified by Title Co.

Clayton Nelson 175-113-14 – did not get bill; however we did mail to owner and address on record with KPB

Dan and Debbie Gardner 179-030-73 - did not get bill; however we did mail to owner and address on record with KPB (this was KPB error)

RECOMMENDATION:

Review staff recommendations on each request for waiver of penalties and either waive penalties or deny waiver by motion.

Att:  Resolution 16-079(S)(A)