10-14-09 Council Workshop - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES CITY COUNCIL OCTOBER 14, 2009 impact the use of the City's franchise fee in this fund if it were needed to make up for State cuts. Blesener noted that the road improvement plan through 2014 would essentially complete the majority of streets needing reconstruction. The City Administrator agreed. He pointed out that the $1 million needed to support the progranl is a good target going forward. The Administrator pointed out that the streets program must be flexible as a hard winter can move some streets up on the needs list. The Finance Director then reviewed the 10% Fund which is supported through a 10% fee on gambling profits. Given the negative impact that the smoking ban and economy has had on charitable gambling, these revenues have dropped substantially over the past few years. The Finance Director noted that the Park Commission is considering improvements to Thunder Bay Park the cost of which would be borne by either this fund or the General Capital Improvement Fund. She further noted that the 10% Fund has, in the past, provided levy relief to the <ieneral Capital Improvement Fund, but given the limited revenue to the 10% Fund, there is additional levy pressure on the General Capital Improvement Fund. Therefore, there is the need for the Council to prioritize capital needs as well as how capital items will be paid for. The Director then reviewed the Parldand Acquisition Fund, noting that this Fund is projected to have a balance of $800,000 by the end of 2009. The city has earmarked these funds for the future purchase of Round Lake properties abutting Little Canada Road as well as properties needed to complete trail segments. The Administrator noted that the restrictions on the fund are self-imposed. The Council has the ability to broaden the use of these funds. Keis asked if interest earnings are put back into the fund, and the Director replied that they were. The next fund reviewed was the Water/Sewer Capital Replacement Fund. The Director noted that this fund is supported through transfers of depreciation expenses from the Water & Sewer Enterprise Funds. There are also interest earnings accrued to this fund. The Director reviewed some of the major expenditures planned which include the acquisition of a site for and the construction of a new Public Works Garage. Additional projects planned are utility improvements in the area of the Richie property on LaBore Road, gathering of utility information for a GIS system, sanitary sewer lining, and possible upgrades to the City's water meter reading system. Staff is continuing its cost benefit analysis of upgrading to a fixed network system for water meter reading. There was some discussion on the current system as well as the benefits of a radio read system. City staff is continuing its research and will update the Council as more analysis is done. T'he Director reported that even with the 2