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• FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES <br />December 6, 2004 -6- <br />Truth in Taxation Hearin (continued) <br />Administrator Worthington said the City of Roseville is able to provide those services--total <br />network services, at a very reasonable cost. They have day to day support, training and the latest <br />upgrades. It allows Falcon Heights to share with another municipality and there are recognized <br />savings. Mr. Lageson asked about the $10,250. Administrator Worthington said that represents <br />a full year's expenditures. The IP Telephony is separate from that. <br />Mr. Lageson asked about GIS Support-Planning and Inspections. There is a $900 user group fee. <br />What's the other $4,100 going for? Administrator Worthington said that in 2005, the City will <br />need to upgrade the GIS system. The City's software is about five years old. The City will be <br />adding a lot of additional layers to the GIS system. The City is mapping all of its infrastructure <br />so it can plan infrastructure maintenance more carefully and plan for future capital spending for <br />maintenance and restoration or reconstruction. It is a tool for us to get a handle on what we <br />have. Mr. Lageson asked if the City owns its own GIS software and Administrator Worthington <br />said yes. Mr. Lageson suggested contacting the Ramsey County Soil and Water Conservation <br />District. They have a person on staff who is dedicated to GIS. The City might be able to work <br />with them and maybe achieve some savings too. Administrator Worthington said the City works <br />quite closely with him. He is also part of the GIS Users Group. <br />Mayor Gehrz said that before we get off GIS, on Saturday, December 4, she and some other <br />residents participated in a conference on emergency management. They saw public safety uses <br />for GIS that the City doesn't currently have. It isn't something that will be expensive. Right <br />now the City uses a big map with colored dots that fall off. Administrator Worthington said that <br />as part of GASB 34, the City has to do what is called a pavement management plan. The <br />pavement management plan rates the condition of the streets. The City can actually put that data <br />into the GIS and tell you, from year to year, how streets are wearing and where the City needs to <br />do maintenance. Right now, staff has to go out, physically look at the streets, and determine <br />which areas need seal coating or crack sealing. It is a tool that will help the City control <br />spending and provide a better tool for anticipating what the spending needs will be in future <br />years. Mr. Lageson said he has used the Ramsey County GIS and found it very helpful. <br />Mr. Lageson asked about Inspections. What is going on? Why are we seeing such huge <br />increases in the fees? Who does this go to and how are they paid? Administrator Worthington <br />said that in 2002, the City went a year without a Fire Inspector. That is why there is a zero in the <br />budget. It has gone up because the City had to play catch up and get current with inspections. <br />The other issue is that with building inspections, mechanical and plumbing inspections, those are <br />primarily related to the SE Corner development. The City is anticipating permits for the next <br />year that will generate revenue. Again, this is an estimate, a very conservative estimate, on the <br />City's part. Fire inspections also used to be allocated in a different fund. They used to be in Fire <br />Services. Fire inspections are provided to businesses, multi-family buildings and daycares. <br />1 <br />