10-24-2012 Council Workshop Minutes

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL OCTOBER 24, 2012 Blesener suggested that the City Engineer look at the trail railroad crossing project and determine the minimum necessary to satisfy the railroad crossing permit as well as the associated costs. The City Administrator indicated that he would ask the City Engineer, but estimated that it would be approximately $40,000 to cross the railroad and the total budget amount for this project is $140,000. The Director pointed out the need to repair the trail segments that are being disrupted by the Water Department project. Blesener noted that a decision does not have to be made on this issue tonight, and again requested an estimate of the cost to satisfy the railroad permit. The City Administrator then began a detailed review of expense category highlights for the General Capital Improvement Plan as laid out in the October 22id report. These include planned expenses relative to the City Center, Fire Department, Parks Equipment, Park Improvements, Recreational Facilities, and Public Works. At this point the Council discussed balancing the five year Capital Improvement Plan and the consensus was to remove the lower Spooner Park shelter improvement from the plan. The Administrator then reviewed in detail various other funds, including the 10% Gambling Fund (408), Infrastructure Fund (450), Park Land Acquisition Fund (456), and Water & Sewer Capital Replacement Fund (604). With regard to the Infrastructure Fund, the Administrator reported that the City Engineer is recommending that programmed street projects be balanced with full reconstructions and mill and overlay projects. This will gain the City efficiencies relative to the inspection process. The Administrator then reviewed the slate of projects being proposed for 2013. He also reviewed a listing of projects classified as "To Be Considered ". With regard to the Greenbrier Street project in this category, he noted that this will be an expensive project and there may be a way to direct Municipal State Aid (MSA) dollars toward that project through bonding to get it done by an earlier date. With regard to the Centerville Road project, the Administrator reported that at a recent meeting with the County, one of the County Engineers indicated that this road has been designated as a County State Aid Highway, therefore eligible for County MSA dollars. Not all of the County personnel were aware of this change. The Administrator indicated that because of the change the improvement of Centerville Road should move onto the County's schedule and will likely