08-28-2024 Workshop Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE WORKSHOP MEETING CITY COUNCIL LITTLE CANADA, MINNESOTA AUGUST 28, 2024 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a Workshop meeting of the City Council of Little Canada, Minnesota was convened on the 28th day of August, 2024 in the Conference Room of the City Center located at 515 Little Canada Road in said City. Mayor Tom Fischer called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and the following members of the City Council were present at roll call: ROLL CALL: In attendance were Mayor Fischer, City Council Members T. Miller, Gutierrez, Kwapick and D. Miller. Absent: None. ALSO PRESENT: City Administrator Chris Heineman, Finance Director Sam Magureanu, Community Development Director Ben Harrington, Public Works Director Bill Dircks, Parks & Rec Director Steve Anderson and City Clerk/HR Manager Heidi Heller. REVIEW 2025 PRELIMINARY BUDGET FOR PUBLIC WORKS, PARKS & RECREATION AND UTILITIES The Finance Director stated that tonight will be the review of the preliminary budget for the' 2025 public works, parks and recreation and utilities. The Public Works Director reviewed the main changes of increase and decreases in the public works budget. He noted that the budget for removing the dead ash trees will be increased by $10,000 to $50,000 in 2025 since there are so many ash trees dead or dying in the right-of-way and parks. He noted that city staff does as much tree removal themselves as possible, but some require a tree contractor due to size or location. The Parks & Rec Director reviewed the budget changes in the parks and recreation budget. He stated there is a 3.81% increase for operating supplies and repairs, and 4.48% for personnel cost increases. The Finance Director reviewed the recycling and sanitation budget which has little changes. He explained the Water Fund 601 and the increased costs which are mostly due to the higher costs to buy the water from St. Paul Regional Water Service. He stated they increased the water costs a few years ago to pay for the new water treatment plant that is under construction. The Finance Director reviewed the Sewer Fund 602 and there is a 8.4% increase, which is from the Metropolitan Council municipal wastewater charges. The Public Works Director said the city's wastewater rate is decreasing due to the slip lining that is being done to older city pipes to eliminate any leaks in the main lines. He noted there are still likely leaks from the private lines that run from the main line to the buildings, but the Metropolitan Council is now starting to offer programs to help fiend slip lining for the private lines. The Finance Director reviewed the Storm Water Fund 603 and the implementation of the new stormwater funds in 2024.