07-06-2020 Council Work Session Packet

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Playgrounds, T-Ball, Skating Classes) and senior programming (Book Club, Trips) would also be considered. • Reinstate the Recreation Supervisor position with intent of returning to providing full-scale recreation programs and services. Staff is seeking City Council direction on the future of Recreation programming, activities, and events in the City of Lino Lakes. Utility Rate Study The City Council last authorized a utility rate study in 2012. As a result of the study, a two percent water rate increase for 2014 and a two percent increase in 2015, along with a four percent sewer rate increase for 2014 and a three percent increase in 2015 were implemented. The rate structure and other revenue sources in the Water and Sewer Funds must provide sufficient revenue to cover anticipated operating and maintenance expenses, debt service including principal and interest, capital improvements, replacements, and to provide adequate cash reserves. Staff and the City Council have identified several potential initiatives to consider including increasing the annual allocation of repairs and replacements, exploring the LMCIT No-Fault Insurance Program, and increasing contingency funding. All initiatives would have impacts on expenditures. Potential rate scenarios of a future water treatment facility could also be explored. Staff is recommending the City Council consider undertaking a utility rate study. If the City Council concurs, staff can begin the process to solicit quotes and report back at a future work session. Public Safety Vehicle and Equipment Replacement The current vehicle replacement policy only allows for public safety vehicles being evaluated for replacement once they have reached 100,000 miles. There are no exceptions articulated in the current policy that allow for vehicle replacement based on age, vehicle condition, or budgetary considerations (such as a consistent debt service requirement). The current debt service tax levy schedule is attached for reference. Currently, there is only one vehicle within the Public Safety Department (both Police and Fire Divisions) that has reached 100,000 and will be evaluated for replacement in 2021. Based on the previous 11-months usage of vehicles and the filling of police officer vacancies, there will be 3 to 6 vehicles that will be evaluated for replacement in 2022. Those 3 to 6 vehicles will have been in service as front line vehicles between five and eight years at the time of evaluation and six to nine years at time of replacement. The current policy does not address the need to rotate vehicles within the Public Safety Department from the Police to the Fire Division, where the vehicles experience less use.