09-11-2013 Council Workshop Minutes

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 11, 2013 The Administrator noted the 9.9% increase projected for the Fire Department budget pointing out, as discussed earlier, that the City's voluntary pension benefit contribution has now been made part of the budget. He noted that the past voluntary contribution has been $15,000 for a few years, and the Fire Department is requesting $31,000 for 2014. He also pointed out that Animal Control is projected down 40.2% since this service is now included in the Sheriff's Department Budget. The Administrator reviewed the Streets portion of General Fund Expenses, pointing out that this area of the budget should be increased by $35,000 to cover the sealcoating expenses projected to be incurred in 2014. With regard to Community Service, General Fund Expenses have been increased by $1,500 to cover the cost of acquiring City of Thunder Bay flags to be used as part of the Canadian Days Celebration. The Council discussed the impact that the Montreal Courts and Provinces patrol has had on keeping Little Canada's share of policing costs down due to a decrease in calls for service. Blesener noted that the City has pays for additional traffic car services. The Administrator also noted that policing costs are also reduced by revenue offsets from police state aid, sales of vehicles, and administrative fines. The Administrator then reviewed some of the City's special funds beginning with the Water Fund. He noted that St. Paul Water has increased its rate by 6.66 %, but noted that rate being charged to Little Canada for water has been lowered to 65% of the St. Paul rate. The Administrator reported that St. Paul Water has proposed to apply the new rate retro- active to the beginning of 2013, while the City has requested that it be retro- active for a number of years. The Administrator stated that he sensed that St. Paul Water will not agree to this, but noted that the City's Notice of Claim against St. Paul Water is still pending. A new contract will be forthcoming with St. Paul Water. With regard to the Sewer Fund, the Administrator reported that the City has received a reduction in treatment costs of approximately 30 %, or just over $200,000 for 2014. The Administrator attributed some of this to the lining of the Met Council sewer lines. Blesener noted the efforts that the City has made over the past two to three years to reduce inflow and infiltration of storm water into the sanitary sewer system. The Administrator suggested that staff will propose the restructuring of 2014 sewer rates to provide some relief for lower volume users. With regard to Capital Improvement Funds, the Administrator noted that several placeholders have been put in the Budget. It was noted that the Old Fire Barns warming house project will require additional discussion. With regard to the Street Infrastructure Fund, the Administrator noted that the City 6