07-13-2016 Workshop Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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(6) The City is one of 45 jurisdictions that contracts with Roseville for information technology (IT) services. This arrangement creates an “economy of scale” that enables us to obtain excellent services that would be far more expensive for comparable quality. Water is purchased from St. Paul Regional Water Service (SPRWS). This was is treated and softened before delivery to our customers. Little Canada provides building inspection services to Falcon Heights. This arrangement allows both communities to provide a responsive and professional service at lower costs than if we each staff our own inspection program. The City also shares a street sweeper with Falcon Heights. Water and Sewer Infrastructure: The City operates and maintains both a water distribution and sanitary sewer collection system. As noted earlier, water is purchased from SPRWS. The City is responsible for maintenance of the water system and all customer relations. The City’s sanitary sewer collection system discharges into several Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES) interceptor sewers for treatment by MCES at the Metro Wastewater treatment plant. The City pays MCES for sanitary sewer treatment charges on a quarterly basis, and these MCES treatment costs are included in the City’s sewer billing to residents. The City continues to strive to eliminate significant sources of inflow and infiltration of ground water into the City’s sanitary sewer system. Past efforts have included a sump pump inspection program, televising of city sewer mains and repairs of system leaks, and lining of sewer services in high water table areas. Because the MCES charges are based on measured flow, any reduction of inflow and infiltration results in lower charges to the City and our customers. The City has one water tower to serve the needs of the community. The water tower also generates significant revenue through leases to telecommunications providers to meet their antenna needs. The antenna revenue generated by the water tower in 2015 was $57,800. In 2014, the City continued the process of using GPS to capture the location of the City’s entire utility infrastructure. This information is being added to the City’s existing GIS system to improve efficiency in dealing with emergencies. The mapping of storm water ponds has been completed. Quiet Zones: In 2014, the City received an allocation of State bonding funds to assist us in paying for the costs to upgrade six at-grade railroad crossing in the community. By doing so, we will be able to establish a Quiet Zone pursuant to Federal Railroad Administration requirements that will result in the discontinuance of train horns being sounded at every crossing. This became a major concern for our residents in 2013 with a dramatic increase in train activity in Little Canada. That increase in activity lead to many complaints about train horns sounded all day and night that resulted in a decrease in the quality of life for our community. We will receive up to $1,250,000 of bond funds to aid in this project. It is likely the City will also spend between $100,000 and $150,000 to complete the project.