2012-06-26_PWETC_AgendaPacket - Laserfiche WebLink

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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, June 11, 2012 Page 8 the PWETC's appreciation of the City's Public Works and Engineering staff as well. As detailed in the RCA dated June 11, 2012, Chair Vanderwall reviewed the PWETC's activities and accomplishments over the last year and the proposed work plan for the upcoming year. Councilmember Pust expressed her interest in pursuing additional discussions yet this year on organized refuse collection. Councilmember Johnson asked that the PWETC, in their review of the City's Capital Improvement Program (CIP), provide input on the steps taken to -date, as recommended by the CIP Task Force and major outlay implemented; and whether they thought those steps were adequate in maintaining the strategies put in place. Past Chair DeBenedet, opining that this had been his major area of interest for some time, and as he'd noted at prior City Council meetings, his main reason for volunteering to serve on the PWETC. Mr. DeBenedet emphasized the need for the City to not be short- sighted with maintenance of its infrastructure, par- ticularly that underground and not easily visible. Mr. DeBenedet expressed his appreciation for the steps taken to -date by the City;' however, he noted that "you don't get something for nothing;" and rate increases would need to contin- ue or be stable for the short- and long -term upkeep of that infrastructure. Mr. DeBenedet recognized the City Council's rationale in making the rate increases to facilitate the CIP a two -step process; however, he cautioned that the second phase needed to remain in place and occur this year or very soon, and not be forgotten or deferred yet again. Mayor Roe noted that the Task Force had not addressed funding for roadway replacement and refurbishment (Pavement Management Program — PMP), and while there was still a good balance in the fund, there were not as many gas tax money collections creating stresses on the PMP with that reduced funding mechanism. Mayor Roe suggested that the PWETC continue to look at how to address the PMP in the future. Chair Vanderwall opined that good maintenance versus more replacement (e.g. mill and overlay as indicated) should be considered if that could effectively solve the problem and avoid or delay reconstruction projects. Mayor Roe concurred; and asked that the PWETC consider reviewing the Pavement Condition Index calculations currently used; and whether lower rates would provide a trade -off or create more problems in the long -run. Mayor Roe asked the PWETC's detailed review of those options for recommendation to the City Council.