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Regular City Council Meeting Monday,May 13, 2013 Page 19 While not present to discuss the Police Department budget, Mr. Grefenberg re- minded everyone of the agreement with WalMart if an additional police presence was needed, it would be paid for by WalMart. Mr. Grefenberg assured all that he was supportive of the Police Department; however, he wasn't sure if he was will- ing to pay for more retail protection in Roseville, since residents were already paying through crowded streets, a tacky atmosphere in those retail/commercial ar- eas (e.g. Snelling Avenue), and other related issues; and opined that other ways to fund those areas were needed. Mr. Grefenberg further opined that Wal-Mart's didn't provide livable wages for its employees, which shifted the burden to prop- erty owners, many of whom were seniors; and he found that unfair. Mr. Grefenberg spoke specifically to the staff compensation study, and proposed increases to City budget based on staff's recommendations. Mr. Grefenberg ques- tioned whether taxpayers could afford more city employee raises in wages in compensation; and whether other suburban communities were engaging in the typical high property taxes increases experienced by Roseville residents on an an- nual basis. Mr. Grefenberg referenced average household income statistics; and questioned how the private sector and Roseville taxpayers were protected from economic downturns as public employees appeared to be with their generous medical benefits, fairly good working conditions, and pension guarantees; and whether that was equitable for taxpayers. Mr. Grefenberg suggested there may be a perceived conflict of interest in staff's recommendations; while average house- hold income continued to shrink over the last ten years and how that compared to the ongoing increases received by employees in the public sector. In the outside consultant's comparables to other communities, Mr. Grefenberg asked that he not be asked to pay City of Edina salaries without being cognizant of his shrinking in- come; and suggested the entire issue required more independent study, at least over the last five year period. Mayor Roe clarified that the compensation study referenced by Mr. Grefenberg was not included on tonight's agenda, but deferred to a future agenda based on timing issues. Diane Hildeon, 556 Bayview Drive (on edge of Reservoir Woods) As a twenty-year resident of Roseville, Ms. Hildeon spoke in support of addition- al staffing for the Police Department. In her work with the St. Paul Police De- partment's community policing area, Ms. Hildeon expressed her appreciation in the Roseville Police Department's move toward community policing. Ms. Hilde- on addressed her observed improvements within the department and relationships in the community in becoming more user-friendly. Ms. Hildeon referenced her statistical data research in police trends, both for Ro- seville and the City of St. Paul, and expressed concern with the additional polic- ing needs of the WalMart and Twin Lakes Area developments; based on trends.