-- to a contractor? Okay. That's what I wanted. Thank you, Madam President.
You're welcome. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Madam President. Commissioner, just at the risk of belaboring a point, just one more question on the Saturday shut-off issue. 111 4/17/07 - WHOLE - BILL 070114, ETC. You had mentioned earlier about the ability of the customer if they have the money to call and somebody would come out and pay. Do you have any idea, or could you get it, how many people do or can take advantage of that; in other words, how much you collect by that process of somebody calling back on a Saturday? Is there a way to find that out? COMMISSIONER BRUNWASSER: We do have that -- well, I don't know if we've isolated Saturday, but we do know that the folks that go and do the shut-offs do bring in a lot of revenue.
But that might be just the first time when they catch the people home, whether it's a Saturday or a Tuesday, right? COMMISSIONER BRUNWASSER: Right. I think what we've found out is as our culture has changed over the last generation or two, it's much more likely to catch someone home on a Saturday than 112 4/17/07 - WHOLE - BILL 070114, ETC. on a weekday.
All right. I hear that, but that person that's not home on a weekday still has the ability to pay right away down here and get on the next day. The Saturday person doesn't have that. I know I'm repeating myself here. COMMISSIONER BRUNWASSER: No. 11 I understand, but I honestly don't have that great of sympathy. If someone has not contacted us, the Revenue Bureau, and has not done what they need to do to protect their water, their water source, then if it happens on a Saturday and they're out of water for a day or two, as bad as that is, I find I'm not that -- I'm not that concerned. It's a shame, but they should not have put themselves in that position.
Well, we agree on that. They should not have put themselves in the position, but I think there is a difference. I don't know how 113 4/17/07 - WHOLE - BILL 070114, ETC. else to say it. The person has the ability to do something more quickly any other day than a Saturday. So we're going to -- COMMISSIONER BRUNWASSER: I think one of the things that we might be able to do is to make sure that the notice that we leave on a Saturday once we've shut them off or we leave them a message to call perhaps our emergency desk when they get home and, if they have their 50 percent, to give us a call and we'll make every effort to restore them as soon as possible.
Okay. How -- never mind. Maybe you don't know. The other utilities, do they have Saturday shut-offs now? COMMISSIONER BRUNWASSER: I believe so.
I know there was a time they didn't, but I'm not 114 4/17/07 - WHOLE - BILL 070114, ETC. sure. Because, again, this is the first time it got raised. I was surprised when I -- I know you do emergency shut-offs, there's leaks and all like that. That's different. COMMISSIONER BRUNWASSER: Now, Councilman, I know you also know that we have a shut-off moratorium for residential customers from December 1st through April 1st.
I understand. COMMISSIONER BRUNWASSER: Unfortunately, sometimes that moratorium is more of a disservice to some of the customers, because they ride that too long. They get behind the eight ball, and it's unfortunate.
I understand that, and people take advantage of sometimes the good-meaning programs. I understand that. In this case, it wasn't that much money. I forget the exact -- I mean, it wasn't 115 4/17/07 - WHOLE - BILL 070114, ETC. like she was like months and months behind. She had an agreement. There was a death in the family. She messed up, and she admits that she messed up, but -- all right. I'm belaboring the point again. Okay. Thank you, Madam President.
You're welcome. Are there any other questions from members of the Committee of the Water Commissioner? (No response.)
Seeing none, Commissioner, thank you very much. COMMISSIONER BRUNWASSER: Thank you. I just wanted to mention that you probably won't be seeing me at the next budget either. I'm also in DROP and --
Oh, really? This is the first I'm hearing it. COMMISSIONER BRUNWASSER: Well, 116 4/17/07 - WHOLE - BILL 070114, ETC. yeah. December is -- if I last that long, it will be December.
Thank you very much for all of your service. COMMISSIONER BRUNWASSER: Thank you.
This Committee will stand in recess until tomorrow, Wednesday, April the 18th at 10:00 a.m. Thank you very much. (Committee of the Whole adjourned at 12:00 p.m.) - - - 117 CERTIFICATE I HEREBY CERTIFY that the proceedings, evidence and objections are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me upon the foregoing matter on April 17, 2007, and that this is a true and correct transcript of same. ______________________________ MICHELE L. MURPHY RPR-Notary Public (The foregoing certification of this transcript does not apply to any reproduction of the same by any means, unless under the direct control and/or supervision of the certifying reporter.)