11-02-2020 Council Work Session Minutes

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION APPROVED 82 Councilmember Lyden said he is more in line with Councilmembers Ruhland and 83 Cavegn. He doesn't see an issue of quality but rather of aesthetics. City Planner Larsen 84 suggested that her research indicates that there is more long term maintenance with 85 exposed fasteners. 86 Staff will plan to bring the ordinance amendment to the December work session with 87 additional ideas on setbacks, etc. 88 3. Capital Equipment Plan —Finance Director Lynch first clarified that the capital 89 equipment discussed in her report is specific to governmental capital and does not include 90 water and sewer. She also pointed out that a ten year plan includes many assumptions 91 and so the plan would most likely be updated by staff and reviewed regularly by the 92 council. Also as introduction, Ms. Lynch pointed out that the plan proposes to move 93 from financing capital debt to a pay as you go program for capital purchases. The pay as 94 you go provides for future budget flexibility and avoids interest costs; it also requires long 95 term planning. She reviewed a capital outlay schedule showing all equipment by 96 department for the next ten years, including specifying a total for each department. Goals 97 such as impact to tax levies should also be considered when looking at a plan. Revisiting 98 capital outlay financing, some years indicate spending more than is being taken in and 99 others the opposite but that allows for a more steady tax rate. Ms. Lynch explained how 100 the plan could be phased in (since there is outstanding capital financing debt) by utilizing l01 some reserve funds for 2021 purchases and then be fully in place in 2022. 102 City Administrator Cotton added that the plan would reduce the City's debt over time 103 which would be seen as favorable from a ratings viewpoint. Also it provides the 104 flexibility noted on a year to year basis. 105 Councilmember Cavegn said he's in favor of the plan and the flexibility it provides. His 106 concern is the ability to fine tune the plan. He's seeing that in many cases, replacement 107 is related to rust however he has vehicles older than those noted that have no rust; is there I o8 a way to provide some prevention in that area. Also three vehicles are listed that are 109 driven about 16 miles a day and with under 90,000 miles currently; those vehicles could 110 be driven for several more years before replacement with a new $40,000 vehicle would II l seem necessary. Administrator Cotton explained that part of the problem with rusting of 112 vehicles is that the City doesn't have the ability to wash equipment to clear it of salt in the 113 winter. Public Services Director DeGardner added that the biggest issue for Public 114 Works vehicles is that they are all stored outdoors all year and 24/7; they do the best they 115 can to hose down equipment but that can fall short. Public Safety Director Swenson 116 noted that there is an issue with the Fords used by public safety as they seem to rust in the 117 same spots; they do use sprayers as possible but it doesn't get to the under carriage of the 18 vehicles. Director Swenson added that there isn't really a full service commercial car 119 wash in the City at this time. Mayor Rafferty suggested that the Holiday station at 35E 12o and County Road 7 does have contract washing available. Councilmember Cavegn added 121 that he'd rather see a corrective measure taken to deal with rust that is present when a car 122 still has a lot of life left rather than purchasing new to replace a vehicle that isn't driven a 123 lot (2,000 — 4,000 miles per year).