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Regular City Council Meeting Monday,June 22,2015 Page 11 City Council continued to hear from residents in their desire for more connectivi- ty, and those sidewalks and pathways were expensive to fund and prioritize ac- cordingly, Councilmember Laliberte suggested additional research on grant funds that may be available to accomplish those efforts. Mayor Roe suggested the PWETC, in their review of the pathway system again, make it a priority to consider connections between multi-family residential build- ings and transit, as well as connecting with schools. Mayor Roe provided several examples he and Councilmember Etten had discussed in their neighborhood in observing bus riders having to walk on the grass or on the street to get to a bus stop because there was no available pathway. Mayor Roe opined that making those short connections would certainly improve the quality of life for those need- ing to use transit. Solar Power Discussions Councilmember Willmus expressed his desire for the PWETC and City Council to continue their work on community solar and solar garden options, including the ability to write grants as applicable. Councilmember Willmus suggested one as- pect should be recommending if the PWETC feels an outside grant writer is need- ed to assist with those efforts in a timely manner. Councilmembers Laliberte and Etten spoke in support of continued solar power resources and more involvement. Transportation Councilmember Laliberte advised that she had spoken earlier today with a Ram- sey County Commissioner serving on the Ramsey County Transit Advisory Board (TAB) who questioned why the City of Roseville did not apply for more grants. Councilmember Laliberte advised that the Commissioner noted, as a newer mem- ber of the TAB, money was frequently going elsewhere as there were no applica- tions being received from the communities she represented. While the commis- sioner noted her feedback on the cumbersome nature of those grant application processes, she suggested such feedback would prove helpful going forward. Councilmember Laliberte suggested further research by staff and the PWETC of particular grants that may be available for City participation. Leaf Pickup Program Outreach/Education Councilmember Laliberte agreed that options were needed for those residents who needed to replace the leaf pickup program after discontinuation in 2015. While there are many services available to perform raking and removal for residents, Councilmember Laliberte noted the need for an option for residents choosing to rake and pile leaves on the curb for pick-up. Councilmember McGehee noted several questions she'd received to-date from residents seeking an option that would be comparable to the fee-based service they previously received from the City.