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LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES MARCH 30, 1990 PAGE 3 Glen Smith, Lake Elmo VFW Building Committee, stated we have an on -site system and you have a grass cutting charge for the VFW. We have a janitor cut our grass. If there are inspections made, they should inform us so we can be there when they inspect the system. We don't want a charge if nobody comes around to inspect the system. Mike Severin, 8012 50th Street, stated he came to the meeting hoping to get his sewer charge lowered. They haven't moved the mound once. I like to pay for what I get. Mayor Dunn read into record the Council received letters indicating their position on the proposed increase from Charles Kent, 3060 Lisbon Avenue, and from Evelyn Kramer, 10949 32nd Street. Mayor Dunn closed the public hearing at 7:32 p.m. Mayor Dunn voiced her concern on the large increase all at one time, but realizing the fund should be self-sustaining. She would like to see a variation from a single resident to a multiple unit because of the various levels of necessary maintenance. Councilwoman Armstrong pointed out, in Larry Bohrer's letter to the Council, the actual charge is for the treatment and not maintenance. It is a large increase, but with the increased rates for next year, the City will be in a better situation because we cannot let this fund go under. Larry Bohrer indicated the City could make each of the 7 or 8 systems more individualized as far as keeping track of maintenance. This can be done, but if there is a repair, it would be a very large expenditure at one time just for those people on that system. This would make rates very peaky and, fluctuate greatly from year to year. The City can adopt keeping the rate at $120 or go the high end of $180 as recommended, but if the adopted fee is lower the city is assuming more risk. If there is a repair during that year, the city will have to subsidize that fund. Councilman Hunt stated our current rates are lower, even with the suggested change, than any of the other 201 systems in the area. Even with the adjustment we seem to be in line with sewer charges, ranging from $30-$50 per quarter, in the Metro area. Councilman Graves voiced his surprise at the audit cost representing such a large percentage of the total annual income. He suggested asking the Finance Director to see if the costs could be brought closer into line with the audit cost relative to the rest of the budget. See Attachment for Councilman Williams' comments on agenda item.