03/03/2008 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION March 3, 2008 APPROVED 1 CONSIDERATION OF ADVISORY BOARD APPLICANTS — Council members 2 submitted the voting sheets they had received in the Weekly Update indicating their votes 3 for advisory board appointments. 4 5 The Mayor clarified that if the council approves four persons for the Economic 6 Development Advisory Committee they would in fact be increasing the size of that group 7 by one. There was no objection. 8 9 Administrator Heitke tallied the votes and presented the results. 10 11 The votes were accepted with the following clarifications: Richard Jensen will receive 12 the two-year term for the Park Board; Pamela Hartley will receive the two year term for 13 the Environmental Board; EDAC will be increased to allow for one additional member. 14 15 WATER EMERGENCY AND CONSERVATION PLAN IMPLEMENTATION - 16 City Engineer Studenski recalled that the city exceeds the DNR benchmarks for water use 17 in three categories. He is presenting recommendations to address those situations. In the 18 area of residential gallons per capital, staff is recommending an ordinance requiring rain 19 sensors with all new automatic sprinkler systems. The engineer is proposing to offer a 20 rain sensor retro -fit program whereby the city could offer some incentives; council 21 direction would be needed on incentives and how they are funded. Residents utilizing a 22 well system would not be impacted. The council requested more information on what an 23 incentive program would look like as well as associated costs and funding possibilities. 24 25 Engineer Studenski then reported on the public education aspect and how staff proposes 26 to implement an education program. 27 28 Staff is also proposing an ordinance that would restrict lawn watering during the daytime 29 hours of 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Keeping the odd -even restriction is still recommended 30 because it deals with peak demand issues. When the council discussed the possibility of 31 losing the odd -even day restriction, Engineer Studenski explained that the city is 32 attempting to address not only the issue of conservation but also the peak usage issue that 33 drives the needs for more water services. The odd -even ordinance is already on the 34 books. Staff will investigate the impact of a change to restricted hours but not days. 35 There are signs installed throughout the city that would have to be changed. 36 37 Engineer Studenski noted that the water rate structure is another piece of the plan and it is 38 currently being reviewed by the city's consultant Springsted. 39 40 Staff was directed to proceed with first reading of the ordinance on March 24 with the 41 understanding that there will be an opportunity for the council to receive more 42 information at the April work session before final consideration (2nd reading). •