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Regular City Council Minutes - 8/18/03 <br />Page 7 <br />overtime in the engineering department creating reduced <br />construction project oversight; reduction of intern staff for <br />project delivery; training and conference budgets <br />remaining level or reduced; street supply budget reduced, <br />meaning that potentially fewer signs replaced and less <br />pavement repair; and acknowledged that street department <br />supplies had realized a decrease over the last two years, <br />given the mild winters and less snow removal and ice <br />control. Mr. Schwartz further advised that overtime <br />budgets remained level in maintenance areas and increased <br />personnel costs were absorbed in those areas, but he <br />projected an increase in 2004, given the square footage <br />increases in the new facility. <br />Councilmember Schroeder requested clarification from <br />Mr. Schwartz on maintenance cost reductions related to <br />personnel and/or supply costs; with Mr. Schwartz <br />responding that most cost savings were realized through <br />reduced sanding in the winter, and sunllner pavement <br />maintenance, as well as snow and ice control costs for <br />personnel and supplies. <br />Councilmember Kough requested that more attention be <br />paid to street sweeping, and whether it was necessary to <br />contract out to Ramsey County, or if staff could maintain <br />streets. Mr. Schwartz responded that it was more efficient <br />to contract out some of the street sweeping, with staff <br />providing the remainder of the sweeping. <br />Councilmember Schroeder reiterated his comment to Mr. <br />Brokke, that Mr. Schwartz review their respective <br />departments to provide as much benefit to the community <br />as possible, at the lowest possible cost. <br />Mayor Kysylyczyn sought clarification from Mr. Schwartz <br />on the cost-savings realized from having achy-operated <br />fuel site, rather than purchasing from a retail facility; and <br />whether improvements were anticipated at the city fuel <br />depot. Mr. Schwartz responded that the city was able to <br />purchase fuel at wholesale prices, and taxes were avoided <br />on diesel fuel; and advised that the fuel depot was <br />