11-23-2020 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Search

CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION DRAFT 3 Councilmember Lyden said he is more in line with Councilmembers Ruhland and Cavegn. 82 He doesn’t see an issue of quality but rather of aesthetics. City Planner Larsen suggested 83 that her research indicates that there is more long term maintenance with exposed 84 fasteners. 85 Staff will plan to bring the ordinance amendment to the December work session with 86 additional ideas on setbacks, etc. 87 3. Capital Equipment Plan – Finance Director Lynch first clarified that the capital 88 equipment discussed in her report is specific to governmental capital and does not include 89 water and sewer. She also pointed out that a ten year plan includes many assumptions 90 and so the plan would most likely be updated by staff and reviewed regularly by the 91 council. Also as introduction, Ms. Lynch pointed out that the plan proposes to move from 92 financing capital debt to a pay as you go program for capital purchases. The pay as you 93 go provides for future budget flexibility and avoids interest costs; it also requires long 94 term planning. She reviewed a capital outlay schedule showing all equipment by 95 department for the next ten years, including specifying a total for each department. Goals 96 such as impact to tax levies should also be considered when looking at a plan. Revisiting 97 capital outlay financing, some years indicate spending more than is being taken in and 98 others the opposite but that allows for a more steady tax rate. Ms. Lynch explained how 99 the plan could be phased in (since there is outstanding capital financing debt) by utilizing 100 some reserve funds for 2021 purchases and then be fully in place in 2022. 101 City Administrator Cotton added that the plan would reduce the City’s debt over time 102 which would be seen as favorable from a ratings viewpoint. Also it provides the 103 flexibility noted on a year to year basis. 104 Councilmember Cavegn said he’s in favor of the plan and the flexibility it provides. His 105 concern is the ability to fine tune the plan. He’s seeing that in many cases, replacement is 106 related to rust however he has vehicles older than those noted that have no rust; is there a 107 way to provide some prevention in that area. Also three vehicles are listed that are driven 108 about 16 miles a day and with under 90,000 miles currently; those vehicles could be driven 109 for several more years before replacement with a new $40,000 vehicle would seem 110 necessary. Administrator Cotton explained that part of the problem with rusting of 111 vehicles is that the City doesn’t have the ability to wash equipment to clear it of salt in the 112 winter. Public Services Director DeGardner added that the biggest issue for Public 113 Works vehicles is that they are all stored outdoors all year and 24/7; they do the best they 114 can to hose down equipment but that can fall short. Public Safety Director Swenson 115 noted that there is an issue with the Fords used by public safety as they seem to rust in the 116 same spots; they do use sprayers as possible but it doesn’t get to the under carriage of the 117 vehicles. Director Swenson added that there isn’t really a full service commercial car 118 wash in the City at this time. Mayor Rafferty suggested that the Holiday station at 35E 119 and County Road J does have contract washing available. Councilmember Cavegn added 120 that he’d rather see a corrective measure taken to deal with rust that is present when a car 121 still has a lo t of life left rather than purchasing new to replace a vehicle that isn’t driven a 122 lot (2,000 – 4,000 miles per year). 123