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Mayor Murray Bruer told the Forans that city staff was spending too much time watching over accounts at that location. The apartments are located on Wabash Street.
The city recently voted at a previous meeting to remove all individual meters from the 14 apartments and install two touch pads that would keep track of how much water was used from both apartment buildings.
The Forans, however, argued that there would be no way for them to determine how much water was being used from a particular unit.
"We thought it would be in the city's best interest," Bruer said. "We're spending too much time reading meters and locking or unlocking them," Bruer said. "We want to take it off the burden of our water department."
By having the Forans take over the accounts, the city hopes to avoid a problem where they were keeping track of the tenants who live at the apartments. Aldermen said it was common for residents to move in one month and be gone within 30-60 days.
"I would want to see a receipt if I was responsible if (a tenant) moved out and did not pay a bill," Alderman Rhonda Colombo said.
A problem arose in April when a woman never paid her water bill despite living in the apartment complex for 14 months. She allegedly cut off the city's lock to the shutoff valve and never informed the city she had moved in. Her water bill for 14 months was $530.30.
Ultimately, the city said, it was the property owners' responsibility to take care of unpaid water bills.
To help curb any future issues where a resident may not be paying for water used, all meters will be read even if a residence is unoccupied. City Clerk Mary Lou Rainwater will issue future reports to the board updating them on how many accounts are inactive.
However, Mike Foran asked why the city didn't realize the apartment was occupied.
"The door was wide open, a swing set and barbecue pit on the back porch, the windows open, people in and out, and nobody's living there?" he questioned.
The city will follow up on possible tampering charges against the female, who is still believed to be living in the Warrenton area. A decision was still to be made on whether the unidentified person would be charged by the city or through the county prosecutor's office.
Police Chief Ken Black said he was aware of the issue, but no one had pursued further action with his department.
"Show the people you're going to do something about this rather than put this on any landowner or tenant," Foran said.
Bruer responded, "We will pursue it."
Other News
* The city agreed to purchase a 2009 Chevrolet half-ton pickup truck to replace a 1989 dump truck that was in need of significant repairs. The new truck will cost the city $15,378 and be purchased from Putnam Chevrolet out of California, Mo., the authorized dealer awarded state bids.
The pickup has to be built and won't be ready for at least 45 days. Depending on the truck's arrival, the money will either be taken out of this year's budget or be included in the 2009-2010 budget.
* A street sweeper cleaned city streets April 22 and wound up costing the city only $215 for two hours. The St. Peters-based firm, Contractors and Municipal Sweeping Services, Inc., had estimated it might take up to five hours and $485 to clean the streets with curbing.
