From: Lewis, Carrie Sent: Monday, September 14, 2009 3:03 PM To: Mantes, Jeffrey; Intergovernmental; Nicolini, Mark Cc: Gonda, Jennifer; Smith, Earl; Daniels, Laura Subject: RE: AB-404 Relating to: prohibiting municipal electric or water utilities from collecting certain utility arrearages from owners of rental properties as property liens. This bill should be strongly opposed. It would be a NIGHTMARE. Mr. Nicolini is correct, water service should continue to be provided to a property, not to a person (tenant), and the property owner should continue to be responsible for the water payment via the property tax if they do not pay timely. This should remain in the purview of a landlord-tenant matter. (It is my understanding that this bill is strongly supported by landlords...) Should it be implemented, costs to MWW would include the uncollectibles (which I would anticipate being in the many millions of dollars, perhaps even in the tens of millions) but less obvious costs such as: - increased personnel and time to get and verify tenant identification and credit information, as associated recordkeeping efforts, - upgraded security on computer systems and MWW web site which would contain personally identifying information about individuals, - increased personnel and time to pursue delinquent account holders and turn off water service to delinquent properties Let me know if you need more information. This is REALLY BIG. Carrie X2801 -----Original Message----- From: Mantes, Jeffrey Sent: Thursday, September 03, 2009 1:38 PM To: Intergovernmental; Nicolini, Mark; Lewis, Carrie Cc: Gonda, Jennifer Subject: RE: AB-404 Relating to: prohibiting municipal electric or water utilities from collecting certain utility arrearages from owners of rental properties as property liens. I would suspect we would oppose this bill. If I read it correctly, as long as the owner has ID themselves and has provided us with the tenant's contact information ( which may or may not be correct..especialy if an outstanding bill is determined after the tenant has vacated/fled the property) We would have to go after the tenant and not be able to place a lien on the property. This would result in additional costs to try to track down the tenant, probable litigation costs, probable loss of revenue as many of these bills would end up non collectable. Perhaps the bill should make the owner responsible for the water bill and they should simply charge enough rent to cover average usage. By copy I am asking staff to comment further Jeff Jeffrey J Mantes Commissioner of Public Works City of Milwaukee Room 501 Municipal Building 841 N Broadway Milwaukee, WI 53202 414-286-3301 jeffrey.mantes@milwaukee.gov NOTE NEW E-MAIL ADDRESS jeffrey.mantes@milwaukee.gov -----Original Message----- From: Intergovernmental Sent: Thursday, September 03, 2009 1:10 PM To: Nicolini, Mark; Mantes, Jeffrey; Lewis, Carrie Cc: Gonda, Jennifer Subject: AB-404 Relating to: prohibiting municipal electric or water utilities from collecting certain utility arrearages from owners of rental properties as property liens. http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2009/data/AB-404.pdf AB-404 was recently introduced. Please review the proposed legislation for its impact on the City of Milwaukee and respond below by email ('Reply to All') as soon as possible. Please include the following information: Is this germane to the City of Milwaukee? Recommended position: Specific reason for this position: Estimated fiscal cost or revenue: The information you provide will be helpful to the Judiciary and Legislation Committee in formulating the City's position. Thank you.