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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, October 24,2011 Page 16 ments that the average citizen couldn't understand just to avoid a public referen- dum, alleging that this was a less expensive financing option. While everyone was supportive of the City's park system, its maintenance and improvement; Ms. Shaffer questioned why the City had not obtained a more recent study of fire sta- tion needs, at least more recently than that done ten (10) years ago; and providing for an independent capital improvement need (CIP) analysis of the location, size, number, amenities and functionality of fire stations. With respect to a CIP for parks, Ms. Schaffer opined that there were certainly more choices between zero or $19 million; however, those choices had not been presented to the City Council; thus the manufactures crisis similar to that found in congress earlier this year; with the City Council needing more information to exercise its discretion, which should be a routine process. While being sympathetic to the box the City Council has been placed in, Ms. Schaffer asked that they step back and exercise that dis- cretion entrusted to them by voters. Regarding Evergreen Park ballfields, Ms. Shaffer advised that, when they were installed, they were financed by the Little League, as their neighborhood was not going to obtain a regular neighborhood family park because someone determined that the Little League needs were great- er; and the Little League put in the money. Ms. Schaffer questioned if the Little League was going to continue with this funding, or if the City's taxpayers were now being asked to take that funding over, when the park could only be used for Little League, not older youth or adults. Jim DeBenedet, 808 Mil lwood Avenue Mr. DeBenedet advised that he and his wife Stephanie had been residents of Ro- seville for over thirty-five (35) years, and noted he was here tonight to speak to the fire station issue only, but would return in December when the City Council discussed utility rates to share additional comments. Mr. DeBenedet opined that the proposed fire station was a long-delayed project, and was not only addressing mold issues; but further noted that the existing building could not be brought into compliance with OSHA and ADA requirements, and continued to violate those codes. Mr. DeBenedet further noted the changes in the firefighter models, with the force no longer being a volunteer force, but operating with hired, coed staff- ing, operating in facilities that were not adequate for gender separation as re- quired. While generally supportive of the City Council going to referendum and trusting the good judgment of its citizens, given recent erroneous news articles and the many risks the City could be facing with current facilities, Mr. DeBenedet expressed concern that voters would look at the actual realities of the needs. In performing an analysis of his personal Ramsey County tax statement and pro- posed increases in raw dollars, Mr. DeBenedet advised that — should the City Council hold with their maximum, preliminary tax levy at 4.2%, and other pro- posed increases, he would experience a 2.5% increase in his property taxes. Alt- hough he was also on a fixed income and shared concerns about increased costs, Mr. DeBenedet opined that this increase was affordable and the right thing to do at this time for the future of Roseville; and that the uses of the bond issue should no longer be deferred or delayed; and opined that the City should do what the law