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City Council Study Session - 08/16/04 Minutes - Page 16 taxpayer's investment; and increased Inandates and needs (i.e., tumback of Roselawn Avenue west of Snelling Avenue; additional street mileage with development at Applewood Pointe; increased maintenance of streetscapes, rights-of-way and trails to the increased expectations of the taxpayers; increased maintenance with completion of additional facilities at the City Center Complex; and increased inspections and security related to Homeland Security mandates) and the way those items impact the department and increase costs. Mr. Schwartz advised that his department would do their best to maintain expected levels of service as close to existing as possible, but noted the service level impacts that would be impacted with further staff reductions. Councilmember Schroeder sought clarification on cost savings projected to eliminate the City's participation in the leaf collection program, with residents delivering their leaves to the collection site. Public Works Director Schwartz responded that the City would still need to remove leaves from catch basins, but anticipated cost savings annually would be approximately $25 - 30,000. Mr. Schwartz estimated that the program cost between $80 - 100,000 to operate, with approxin1ately $23,000 revenue generated; but that elimination of the program would also allow allocation of personnel to other maintenance areas during the month of November, the most intense time for leaf collection. Mr. Schwartz noted that the City's maintenance pro graIn was year-round; and that the costs of the program were allocated to the City's stann water utility fee, and would not represent any savings to the General Fund Levy. Further discussion included the contract labor hired for the leaf collection program; participation fees and their relationship to reduced participation in the collection program; and advantages or disadvantages of continuing to subsidize the program. Councilmember Kough sought clarification on the nun1ber of times the streets were swept each year, and the cost of contract services for that program.