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.