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<br />City Council Study Session - 01/24/05 <br />Minutes - Page 15 <br /> <br />affiliated legally with Metro Transit, they did work closely with <br />them for site selection, including several joint shelters of larger <br />SIzes. <br /> <br />Discussion with Councilmembers included litter control; revenue <br />projections; bike rack provisions; right-of-way issues; and <br />promotion of public service announcements. <br /> <br />Council consensus was to direct staff to proceed to the Public <br />Works, Environment and Transportation Commission for a <br />specific recommendation and proposal for the City Council's <br />consideration. <br /> <br />5. Briefing about 2005 Utility Rates 2005 Utility Rates <br />Finance Director Chris Miller provided staff s annual analysis of <br />the City's utility operations in the water, sanitary sewer, <br />stormwater and recycling services. Mr. Miller noted that the <br />utilities were funded by user fees, and not from property tax <br />monies. Mr. Miller reviewed service inputs and compared fixed <br />costs including personnel, supplies, maintenance and <br />depreciation; variable costs including the purchase of water from <br />the City of 81. Paul, water treatment costs from the Metropolitan <br />Council and recycling contractor costs; capital replacement <br />costs; and current customer base, rates and rate structures. <br /> <br />Mr. Miller provided recommended rates for single family homes <br />with and without utility discount and commercial properties for <br />2005 with overall impacts to utility users at a residential increase <br />of approximately 4.0%; and a commercial rate increase of <br />approximately 4.4%. <br /> <br />Mr. Miller and City Manager Beets updated the City Council on <br />continuing negotiations with the City of 81. Paul and 81. Paul <br />Regional Water Board; with a tentative agreement reached, in <br />principal and currently being reviewed by each agency's <br />attorneys, for a 3.6% increase over the City's current rate, but <br />substantially lower than the original starting point, with a 20 year <br />contract proposed, with review by parties after ten years. <br /> <br />For Councilmember Ihlan's benefit, staff and Councilmembers <br />reviewed the history and background of the negotiations to-date. <br />