JOURNAL OF COMMISSION WORK SESSIONS
March 15, 2005

CALL TO ORDER: 5:52 P.M.

ROLL CALL: City Commissioners present: Randy Gray, Bill Beecher, Sandy Hinz, Diane Jovick-Kuntz and John Rosenbaum. Also present were the City Manager, Assistant City Manager, Acting City Attorney, Directors of Community Development, Library, Planning, Public Works, Fiscal Services, Acting Park and Recreation Director, Fire Chief, Police Chief, and the Deputy City Clerk.

WORK SESSION AGENDA

Melanie Lattin, Community Development Department, presented recommendations for the use of Federal Grant Funds. The recommendations made were as followed:

The Commission would be asked at the regular meeting to accept the recommendations for the 2005/2006 proposed use of Federal Grants Funds.

Public Works Director Jim Rearden and Fiscal Operations Supervisor Martha Cappis reported on the Capital Improvements Program upgrades for 2003/2008. One of the Commission goals was "Anticipate future service needs, costs and resources and plan ahead to address them." Mr. Rearden and Ms. Cappis gave a detailed 5 year capital needs analysis for water, sewer and storm drain systems.

Some of the water distribution existing and future needs included: on-going water main replacements; 30 inch water main lining or pipe bursting; Riverview Drive 16 inch, 6th Street Northwest to 8th Street Northeast; 7th Avenue North, Park Drive to 32nd Street; Country Club water mains; existing river crossings - analysis/upgrades. Another future need was a Water Master Plan update that would include: river crossing south of the water treatment plant; northeast river crossing; Ag-Park fire flows; low pressure areas and Medical Park pressure/flow demands.

Mr. Rearden also presented existing and future needs for water treatment that included: on-going security improvements identified in the vulnerability assessment; completion of the Emergency Response Plan; new regulations Safe Drinking Water Act; completion of the chlorine system improvements; ongoing SCADA improvements; painting and repairs to all storage tanks; replacement of basin mixing equipment; energy efficiency improvements (windows); and the expiration of the MPDES permit in December 2004.

The water financial plan staff recommendations included: annual revenue adjustments to meet annual expenses/inflation; Finance CIP (5 year detailed); satisfy bond covenants; and maintain reserves (weather); and a water master plan update to provide future rate guidance (CIP currently shows two percent increases).

He also reported on existing and future needs for wastewater collection which included: on-going sewer main rehabilitation; Northeast interceptor lining/upsizing - first phase completed; completed Ag Park sewer main extension and upsizing Riverview main.

Some of the issues for wastewater treatment include: International Malting Company Impacts; currently operational WWTP Digesters issues including operational costs, odor control assessment, alternative Biosolid/Energy opportunities; expiration of the MPDES permit in 2004; major capital requirements including $13 million identified in five-year CIP and the effects of development on upper river road and in the Medical Park/Ag Park.

Staff recommended the sewer financial plans as listed: minimal revenue adjustment allowing for variables including meeting annual expenses/inflation; financing future CIP; satisfying bond covenants/maintaining reserves; the preliminary rate outlook included another bond required in 2008 and the worst case - five percent for three-years beginning 2006.

The existing and future needs for storm drains included: Skyline Park/West Ridge, North Park/Windsor Plywood, 6th Street Northwest, 16th Avenue Northwest to Smelter Avenue, 18th Street, Central Avenue to 10th Avenue South, Valeria Way, 1st Avenue North/19th Street to 6th Avenue, 2nd Avenue Southwest River to 15th Street Southwest, outfall aesthetic improvements, East Great Falls/ Giant Springs outfall, Detention Pond Landscaping including Upper Belview and East and West Marketplace, storm drain extensions, Milwaukee Railroad 36th to 38th Street, Ferguson Drive/Meadowlark Park and Belview from railroad to Flood Road.

The findings and recommendations for the Storm Drain Financial Plan included: increases to meet debt service on the completed 14th/15th Street project, maintenance of annual CIP, keeping up with inflation, meeting bond payments, maintaining reserves and looking toward future projects-$3.5 million (5-year CIP).

Ms. Cappis reported that currently, the average resident with a ¾ inch meter using 1300 cubic feet of water and 700 cubic feet of sewer, and accumulating storm drain and fire hydrant charges would pay per month total: Water: $20.11, Sewer: $15.71 and Strom Drain: $4.24, for a total average bill of $40.07.

She proposed a water rate increase of two percent or approximately $.43 per month; a sewer rate increase of one percent or approximately $.16 per month; and a storm drain rate increase of one percent or approximately $.04 per month. The total recommendation would cost an average user $.63 per month.

The requested sewer rates were based on average consumer usage during the months of December, January, February and March. Water usage in these months represented actual sewer usage, unaffected by irrigation.

The Commission would be asked at the regular meeting to accept the recommendations for the water, sewer and storm drain rate and fee changes.

ADJOURN

There being no further business to come before the Commission, the regular work session of March 15, 2005, adjourned at 6:49 P.M.

Home => Records => Work Session Minutes Listing Page => 2005 Work Session Minutes