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r 1 MINUTES NOVEMBER 28, 1990 PAGE 2 does not recycle and being on a fixed income the higher sewer fees make it difficult to remain in her home. She also felt the whole County is suffering from inflation and that people should make themselves heard on the local and state levels. Baldwin assured Mrs. Wigdahl that her concern regarding sewer rates would be passed on to the Metro Waste Control Commission as their rate increase to the City has made the City increase necessary. KEN LANCASTER, 1905 N. SNELLING, commented on the proposed increase in employee compensation and felt that $330 per employee was an exorbitant price for insurance. He felt employees are overcompensated and that those funds should be used to assist residents who are disabled or on a fixed income. BOB BROWN, 1592 MAPLE KNOLL, questioned whether or not information on one of the handouts regarding the tax rate would be correct if the University population was deducted. Wiessner explained that the tax rate is based on property value, not on population. CARL JESSEN, 2161 FOLWELL, expressed his thanks for the informative presentation and for a job well done. DAVID BELL, 1834 ASBURY, commented on the fact that major businesses are trying layoffs to be competitive and reduce costs, and questioned why everything here keeps going up. Baldwin replied that the City has made changes reducing costs, i.e., changing the policing contract from Ramsey County to Roseville. He also explained that the City's work load has increased, and that there is a difference between businesses and government in that businesses can choose to make reductions, whereas a municipality must meet the needs of the residents regardless of the economy. Mr. Bell felt that police and fire protection are a necessity, but why not reduce costs in other areas. Baldwin replied that the City has looked at other areas and have decreased some costs. Wiessner added that the City makes use of two senior volunteers rather than hiring part time help as a means of keeping costs down. MRS. WIGDAHL commented on the City's organizational chart and asked about the employment of the attorney, engineer and fiscal consultant. Baldwin explained that these people work on a consulting basis, and are not full time employees. Jacobs explained that the City is pursuing grants on a federal and state level in an attempt to reduce costs, and that the City has received a $69,000 grant for park use which will save a significant amount. Wiessner commented on the fact that the City's cost per capita is much lower than others, but that most of the costs fall on the residential property because there is so little commercial property in the City. There being no others wishing to be heard Baldwin closed the hearing at 8:15 P.M.