03-26-2003 Council Workshop Minutes

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MINUTES C,iTY COUNCIL MARCI3 2G, 2003 The Council discussed the recommendation that the Building Official take over mechanical inspections. The City Administrator reviewed that recommendation and The fact that the current consulting inspector has done an excellent job for this City. The recommendation is based purely on the cost-savings that the City can generate by having the Building Official take over these inspections. Council agreed that this recommendation should be implemented. Council discussed the recommendation for elimination of the Management ReporC from the audit function. The Administrator indicated that the report is not a required document and that many cities do not have this report done. Council agreed that this recommendation should be implemented. Council discussed the recommendation that the City investigate the transferring of its water utility to St. Paul Water. The City Administrator reported that St. Paul's retail customers have already done this. The Cities of Little Canada and Roseville are wholesale customers, and St. Paul Water has made proposals to each for the take-over of their systems. The Administrator indicated that the incentive for Roseville to switch is not very high given that they are at the lowest end of St. Paul's rate tier. Bleseuer questioned St. Paul's willingness to make improvements to Little Canada's system, such as painting the water tower, with no additional charge to either Little Canada or its property owners. The City Administrator reported that St. Paul has evaluated our system, and it is newer and well maintained. St. Paul has indicated that they will paint the water tower, but they would charge for the repainting of the City's logo on the tower. The Administrator also indicated that St. Paul has proposed that they would take 50% of the lease revenue from the tower. Fahey indicated that he supported investigation of this option noting that this might be an opportunity to consolidate services with another governmental entity that would result in a cost savings to the City. Fahey also noted that this consolidation would eliminate the need for a new Public Works building as well as the addition of a new Public Works position. Bleseuer indicated that he had some questions and concerns with this matter, but agreed that it should be researched and investigated. Montour recommended that these budget issues that the Council is considering should be addressed at the town meeting on April 12°i.