08-09-2010 Council Minutes (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL WORK SESSION AUGUST 9, 2010 APPROVED 46 there certainly could be costs especially in the area of start up and following properties 47 with credits. Staff plans to use the existing utility billing system and, for those properties 48 not on water and sewer, they would be billed once annually. 49 50 The council asked for an explanation of how the city would guard against using any of the 51 utility funds to balance other areas of the budget. Mr. Grochala noted that the council has 52 control over the budget and has directed that staff would shift only appropriate costs from 53 the general fund budget. For instance, some engineering costs related to storm water 54 utility would be shifted from the community development department's budget to the 55 utility. Finance Director Rolek noted a couple of additional areas where funding will be 56 shifted. When asked if funds can be "banked" from year to year, staff indicated in the 57 affirmative and added that bonding for larger expenses can also occur. 58 59 A council member noted that city accountability will be a key element—this is not 60 intended as a funding source for other things. In that light, the citizens and the council 61 should have some more information on specifically what will be funded and how it was 62 funded previously. That is the information that makes this understandable and 63 acceptable. It is a system that is being abused in other cities. The council will not act on 64 the ordinance this evening but will open the public hearing since that has been noticed. 65 The council looks forward to receiving more information on the budget for discussion at 66 the longer work session. 67 68 6B. Resolution No. 10-71, Calling for a Special Election, Lake/Main and 69 Birch/Ware Intersection Improvements—Community Development Director Grochala 70 explained that staff is planning for the council to consider this resolution at a special 71 council meeting already called for August 11, previous to the work session that evening 72 since all the numbers associated with the projects are not yet finalized. One question for 73 the council will be approval of the ballot question and whether or not the two projects are 74 posed as separate questions on the ballot. The projects, if approved, would likely be 75 constructed in 2012 so there are some unknowns. Currently Birch/Ware is in the area of 76 $900,000 while Lake/Main is estimated higher at $1.7 million, with costs to the city 77 estimated at $1.6 and $1.7 million, not including bond issuance costs. 78 79 City Engineer Studenski briefly reviewed the proposed project layouts. He noted that the 80 projects do include road widening because the addition of turn lanes is required. 81 82 This item will be pulled from the agenda and discussed at the August 11 special council 83 meeting. 84 85 The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m. These minutes were considered, corrected and 86 approved at the regular Council meeting held on August 23, 2010. 87 88 89( - 90 Julia e Bartell, City lerk e inert, Mayor