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Mounds View City Council December 13, 1999
<br />Regular Meeting Page 5
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<br />Mayor Coughlin thanked Mrs. Henderson for her comments.
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<br />A. Y2K Update.
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<br />City Administrator Whiting stated that over the last 18 months to three years, there have been
<br />some concerns regarding the upcoming change in the calendar, and some particular concerns for
<br />cities and governments throughout the country. He advised that the City of Mounds View has
<br />taken a number of steps to insure that all of the systems that are affected by the change in date,
<br />particularly through computer language, will be functioning properly.
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<br />Assistant to the City Administrator Reed reported that the City was approved for expanded Y2K
<br />insurance coverage, on November 22, 1999, through the League of Minnesota Cities. She
<br />advised that the cost for this insurance will be approximately $3,400 per year, for 1998/1999, and
<br />1999/2000. She noted that although the premiums were somewhat higher than expected, they
<br />will cover the City indefinitely, either until the City is no longer a member of the League of
<br />Minnesota Cities, or the coverage is exhausted. She explained that there is a 15 percent policy
<br />deductible, with coverage of $750,000 annually, and any remaining amount to be out-of-pocket
<br />expense.
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<br />Assistant to the City Administrator Reed explained that the City’s contingency plans have been
<br />organized by department, and each department has made an effort to insure that all systems will
<br />be operational on December 31. She indicated that the Fire, Ambulance, and Police Departments
<br />will have officers on patrol in squad cars throughout the City, and if, for example, telephone
<br />service is interrupted, the Police Officers will be able to make any necessary announcements
<br />over public address systems, to residents in their homes. She explained that if residents do not
<br />have telephone service, they can go to the patrolling Police Officers, and make telephone calls
<br />for ambulance or fire services via their cellular telephones.
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<br />Assistant to the City Administrator Reed stated for the most part, the Public Works Department
<br />systems can be manually operated, and there are generators for the water system, in the event
<br />water service can not be provided electronically. She stated the City also shares a water system
<br />with the cities of Spring Lake Park, New Brighton and Fridley, which will provide fresh water,
<br />in the event the City’s water system should fail. In terms of financial applications, the issuance of
<br />payroll checks could potentially be the most difficult task, however, this and other financial
<br />functions can be performed manually.
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<br />Assistant to the City Administrator Reed stated three Fire Chiefs will be available, and 20 Fire
<br />Fighters will be located at five fire stations, including the Mounds View Fire Station. Police will
<br />have a total of eight staff on duty, including one sergeant, two officers, two patrol officers, the
<br />Lieutenant, the Police Chief, and the Administrative Assistant. The Department of Public Works
<br />will have three staff members on duty, including a sewer/water operator, a wastewater operator,
<br />and a presently unidentified member of staff, and the City Administrator, the Finance Director
<br />and one City staff member will be on call.
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<br />City Administrator Whiting stated staff is confident this will be a typical New Year’s Eve, with
<br />the typical considerations. He stated staff has not been informed by any of the utility providers
<br />that there are any foreseeable problems with the City’s system. He indicated approximately
<br />$75,000 has been invested in the water system to maintain operations. He explained that the City
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