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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — MARCH 19, 2018 3 <br />Councilmember Fran Holmes wondered why the intersection couldn't remain a four-way stop. <br />Councilmember Holden felt a roundabout wouldn't function properly with the traffic coming <br />from Bethel College. <br />Councilmember Holmes stated her opposition to a traffic study. <br />Public Works Director/City Engineer Polka noted part of the problem is the turn lanes do not <br />line up properly and there isn't enough pavement width to correct them. <br />Councilmember Scott sided with staff on the need for the study because of the trail work going <br />on at the same time. <br />Councilmember Dave McClung said he is leery of spending the money on the study but is also <br />leery of reconstructing the street without also doing the intersection. <br />Mayor Grant and Councilmember Holmes would be agreeable to the study if they take the <br />possibility of a roundabout out. <br />Mayor Grant asked Public Works Director/City Engineer Polka to discuss with Ramsey County <br />if the City could disagree with a roundabout if the study points to one. <br />E. Utility Rate Study <br />Ehlers Senior Municipal Advisor Stacie Kvilvang discussed changes to the utility rates based <br />on feedback from the Council Work Session in January, 2018. There are no decreases in rates, <br />but bills could decrease. <br />Councilmember Holmes wondered if the increases could be less drastic from year to year. <br />Ehlers Senior Municipal Advisor Kvilvang recommended that City establish a fund balance <br />policy. She then reviewed the proposed residential and commercial water rates, and sewer utility <br />rates. Two options were presented, Option One was recommended which would eliminate the <br />15,000 gallon minimum, incorporate base charges for all accounts and increase water rates by six <br />percent in 2018, ten percent in 2019 and six percent in 2020. Option Two was to stay with the <br />exiting rate structure. <br />After discussion, Councilmembers McClung and Scott voiced support for Option One. <br />Councilmember Holden agreed with Option One but would like to have the sewer base charge <br />be set at $50.00. Councilmember Holmes would like to see the percentage increase stay the <br />same each year. <br />Ehlers Senior Municipal Advisor Kvilvang made note that they would bring more information <br />back using Option One with a $50.00 sewer base, they will even out the yearly increase <br />percentage as much as possible and keep the bonding rate amount as low as possible. <br />Further discussion ensued regarding the Utility Rate Study as it relates to TCAAP. <br />