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<br />City Council Study Session - 07/17/06 <br />Minutes - Page 2 <br /> <br />Fund, in accordance with previous City Council indications as to their <br />priority preferences. Mr. Beets noted that he was proposing an <br />additional $75,000 annually in taxpayer funds for asset replacement <br />over the next five years in an effort to catch up, and further noted that <br />these funds would be allocated for infrastructure among several <br />departments in an attempt to make provision for the City's <br />infrastructure needs and maintenance. <br /> <br />Councilmember Maschka sought clarification as to the systems under <br />the auspices of the PWETC that were in arrears. <br /> <br />Public Works Director Duane Schwartz advised that the Pavement <br />Management Plan (PMP) remained healthy and successful, with the <br />City's streets replaced during the 1980's and 1990's still in good <br />shape; however, Mr. Schwartz expressed concern regarding the City's <br />utility infrastructure, and the need for the City to be aware of and <br />utilize new and improved technologies as they became available (i.e., <br />lining for sanitary sewers and water mains); and the need to maintain <br />funding in those areas. Mr. Schwartz advised that, in the Department's <br />2007 Budget request, City Council approval for funding for a camera <br />attachment for the City's sewer jetter and for additional contracted <br />televising services would be sought. <br /> <br />Discussion included those utilities that were fee-supported; types of <br />evaluation systems for utility infrastructure; ongoing GPS and camera- <br />studies of existing infrastructure as applicable, particularly during <br />street reconstructions; types of material utilized for utility piping; <br />ongoing breaks and replacements as appropriate; the open bid process <br />for line replacement; and the need to make sure utility fees were <br />established at adequate levels to build a reserve for ongoing <br />replacement and maintenance. <br /> <br />It was the consensus of the PWETC that the City attempt to adequately <br />fund the infrastructure needs of the City pro actively and on an ongoing <br />basis rather than experiencing an onslaught of unexpected and major <br />expenses in emergency-type situations. <br /> <br />Additional discussion included the PWETC's participation in <br />continuing discussions between residents of the James Addition and <br />MnDOT regarding the cross-over situation as being facilitated by <br />Councilmembers Ihlan and Kough. <br />