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Special City Council Meeting Thursday, May 22, 2014 Page 5 Discussion At the request of Mayor Roe, Mr. Schwartz clarified that funding the two request- ed positions would be done at current fee levels, with the exception of a possible slight increase in utility rates to fund a basic customer service position in the range of$50,000 with benefits. Mr. Schwartz opined that the current fee levels should prove adequate for the rights-of-way technician. At the request of Councilmember McGehee, Mr. Schwartz advised that there were not yet projected cost estimates for increased mandates to meet MS4 standards. However, Mr. Schwartz advised that the City Council had made significant strides over the last few years in increasing utility and stormwater fees to address infra- structure improvements and/or replacements. Therefore, Mr. Schwartz advised that staff didn't see any drastic increases short-term, but as new systems are de- signed for flood control and water quality, the needed upsizing may require long- term funding sources and options. At the request of Councilmember McGehee, Mr. Schwartz advised, with the in- creased costs being realized in 2014 street materials and overall projects, in the long-term, staff was projecting an additional need of$1 million annually to fund the PMP, which he opined was still sufficient. Mr. Schwartz recommended keep- ing the PMP as currently defined, with no additional assessments for mill and overlay, and retaining construction assessments for property owners at 25%. At the request of Councilmember Willmus. Mr. Schwartz reviewed the number of miles turned back from Ramsey County beyond the initial PMP parameters, and completion of the Public Works facility. Mr. Schwartz estimated that, since the mid-1990's, an additional 10 miles had been turned back; and an overall increase in the city-wide system by almost five miles, or about a 10% increase to the cur- rent load, for a total of 125 miles. Mr. Schwartz reviewed the allowance by legis- lative action for Ramsey County to turn back roads and add them to the Minneso- ta State Aid (MSA) system, with funding for improving those roadways provided through gas tax dollars. However, Mr. Schwartz noted that those dollars were spread among more and more communities covering more and more miles, with the City of Roseville's allotment not keeping pace with construction costs and other needs. For the most part, Mr. Schwartz advised that the City was maxed out in designated MSA streets and what could be drawn from that fund. At the request of Councilmember Willmus, Mr. Schwartz confirmed that the pro- posed staffing for the customer service position, even if shared by the Finance Department, would be funded through the Public Works Department, but through utility fees; with neither of the proposed positions relying on levy dollars for wag- es and/or benefits or other employee costs. Mr. Schwartz clarified that the cus- tomer service position would assist with the utility billing function, also part of the Finance Department functions, and provide automated meter reading program data entry.