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ARDEN HILLS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 11, 2005 5 Mayor Aplikowski stated Council could take a look at his request for a monument sign. She stated to the best of her knowledge, they did not have an ordinance for flag poles, so she did not believe there would be any problem with him putting in a flag pole. Ms. Wolfe stated a staff member would need to look at any lighting of the flag pole and she requested Mr. Flagherty contact staff regarding this. 5. PUBLIC HEARINGS None. 6. NEW BUSINESS A. Authorize Contract with S&S Tree Service for the Removal of Tree Debris from the September 21St Storm Mr. Moore stated as of October 5, 2005 the City has incurred a total cleanup cost of$91,902.50 plus tax. This cost is only related to services provided by S & S Tree Service. He indicated it is estimated that 50% of the debris has been removed. Based on incurred costs, it can be estimated that there will be a need for an additional $90,000.00 plus tax to complete the removal of the remaining debris in the City. In addition, the City will have to share in the costs with the cities of New Brighton and Mounds View for the tub grinder at the New Brighton drop-off site. At this time that cost is unknown. Staff is conservatively estimating the cost to be in excess of$200,000. Staff will continue to provide the City Council with up-to-date financial information as it becomes available. He indicated the City's 2005 budget does not have adequate resources to fund the cleanup program. The source of funding for this program would have to be the General Fund reserves. At the beginning of this year the General Fund reserves had a fund balance of$1.3 million dollars. One of the purposes of having a fund balance is to address unplanned contingencies. The September 21, 2005 storm was an unplanned event and the use of General Fund reserves would be considered appropriate for the cleanup program. He recommended the City Council authorize staff to continue with the storm debris cleanup program and to approve spending up to $200,000.00 with S & S Tree Service for the completion of the cleanup program. Councilmember Grant asked if they had any idea how much a grinder would cost on an hourly basis. Mr. Moore responded at this time staff has no information with respect to the cost per hour for the unit, nor how long it would take, but they were trying to get that information and as soon as they got it, they would inform Council. Councilmember Grant noted the City of Shoreview might be able to provide some guidance considering they had gone through a similar situation in 1999.