After Fathom Special Council Meeting

After Fathom Special Council Meeting

The Council:
Mayor Diaz-Present
Joann Courtland-Present
Fred Chavez-Present
Dan Yancey-Present
Jay Manning-Present
Dianne Campbell-Present
Marc Payne-Present
Jack Smith-Present

Editorial by Cayla Siddiqui. As we all prepare for Thanksgiving, families and friends coming in to our fine city. We all hope for sunny, bright, and warm holiday. But as we know it, we have a plague that has rested upon our wonderful town. Making our city dark, stormy, and gloomy. Thinking that our holidays would continue to be dark and gloomy, Santa had brought us an early Christmas miracle. Fathom is leaving us! Joyous news. But now raises the question, “Who to pay our water bills to?”.

 That over the last week the city manager’s office has been talking with Fathom since they emailed the city up till an hour before the special city meeting. Trying to work out a solution. They have recommended a company to us. So, now that raises the next question “Do we go with the recommended company or go back to in-house again?”.

Well today was the day if citizens would light their torches and grab their pitchfork and storm city hall, and take back the city.  Luckily, for us the city government heard and felt our angry and grievances (and for everyone sanity) they had unanimously voted to go back in-house. That’s right the city government listened to the people! Christmas did come early this year. So, put away the pitchforks and dose the torches beside they are against city ordinance.

Since we are now going back to being in house, that leaves us with a very big problem. “Where will the water department be at? Do we have enough staff for it?  Who will maintain the meters? How do we make the payments? What software will we be using?” Editorial by Cayla Siddiqui

Watch >>Special Council-Fathom Video <<Watch

Here is a summary of today's Special Council Meeting:

The city spoke with Fathom for at least an hour before the meeting and a decision must be made. A transition like this takes at least a year and the city has only a few days.

From Scott Osburn... NEEDS

Personnel                                              Current               Proposed
Supervisor Utility Admin                          1                          1
Customer Service Rep (CSR)                    3                          6
Senior Meter Reader                                  1                          1
Meter/Service Technician                           3                          3
Billing Technician                                      0                          1

Total                                                           8                          12

Budget Cost                                       $315,622                  $466,984
Difference of $141,362

Information Systems Department.... NEEDS
Stand Up CSR
Must have phones and computers for customer service

CM says we will have better customer service and will bring on temporaries to help out with calls.

Locations...
Recommend converted automated kiosk at drive thru window at 305 Main
305 Main needs remodeled bathroom, roof and sign. Minimum 2 years work.

Suite B will need to be expanded for needed  temporary space
Campbell and Chavez recommends renovating 305 Main.

Must have a new modem for building $16,500-$30,400 (Core and Main)

Old Building remodel...
$20,000 Mold removal
$18,000 Roof
$10,000 Flooring
$8,000   Paint
$15,000 Paving
$5,000   Sign

Credit card payment must me made with same name on water account. Dec 1 start

City Manager does not recommend HEB Kiosk for water payment

City Manager recommends Kiosk in CCPD for water payment

City looking at using "Square" readers for CSR to do payments

There will be only printed receipts

CM wants more hours and locations

Councilman Chavez stated that we must  have a timeline

Software issue....

Suite A and B is a must at this point and bring the service in-house (COUNCIL AGREES)

In the video you will see a discussion about software options. It is needed to make the systems work and print bills.

We may even go dark for a while.

More to follow at the 6pm Town Hall on Friday.

Having issues on getting our data back from Fathom.

See yall Friday!