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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, October 24,2011 Page 12 Mr. Grefenberg questioned the need for the City Council to rush in making this decision, opining that he for one couldn't afford an additional 25% increase to his property taxes, similarly to other Roseville senior citizens, especially during this time of economic uncertainty and underemployment. Mr. Grefenberg noted that Roseville citizens, specifically many of his neighbors, were simply asking that the City reprioritize, reshape and reschedule this bond issue and expenditures by seeking other financing options beyond raising property taxes, such as through the City's reserve funds. Mr. Grefenberg opined that the City's property tax levy had increased 64% over the last decade, while at the same time, the City maintained a reserve fund of at least $20 million; thus not requiring the City Council to put any additional burden on its property taxpayers. Mr. Grefenberg questioned if the City Council had considered selling the existing fire station on Fairview Avenue, or other ways to recoup costs. Mr. Grefenberg, while supporting the Parks Master Plan findings in general, questioned what was served by issuing the entire $19 million at this time within the next two (2) years; opining that the City Council needed to make a decision on whether its citizens had the ability to pay for it. Mr. Grefenberg asked that the City Council proceed cautiously and phase in the im- pacts through a bond issue in a more conservative approach, allowing taxpayers some relief at this time and in this current economy. Randy Neprash, 1276 Eldridge Avenue Mr. Neprash spoke in support of the proposed increases in utility rates, from his perspective as being involved in that field, and speaking from that authority in the field, advised that the City was taking the right step in addressing its utility infra- structure through increased fees for those capital improvements. Mr. Neprash opined that the infrastructure costs would only continue to escalate in the future, as well as become a legal requirement of the City, along with being a public health and ethical responsible. Mr. Neprash advised that, in his work with League of Minnesota Cities (LMC) staff, they were carrying the message across the State of MN that inevitable increases in running utility systems would be forthcoming. Therefore, Mr. Neprash opined that it only seemed prudent and responsible of the City Council to take those actions now. Regarding the property tax levy and pro- posed bond sale for a fire station, Mr. Neprash opined that this also seemed ap- propriate and prudent; further opining that a new fire station was long overdue. However, Mr. Neprash spoke against a bond sale for park improvements, as it seemed like too much money at the wrong time in terms of the general economic climate and financial well-being of Roseville residents; and opined that it seemed that the process was flawed, and suggested that a reasonable step be taken back to further review this plan. While having great respect for Mr. Biersheid, Mr. Neprash opined that regarding a past lack of maintenance of the City's park sys- tem and its facilities, he recommended that the City Council seriously look at its maintenance procedures and protocol throughout the City to rectify those prob- lems from the past and to avoid them in the future.