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Regular City Council Meeting Monday,July 10, 2017 Page 7 cally and from a broader perspective). Councilmember McGehee stated that she had recommended to City Manager Trudgeon that tree management be a budget line item in subsequent city budgets in the Public Works Department. Specifical- ly, Councilmember McGehee noted that the inspection of sump pump connections started part way through the meter replacement program, so some illicit connec- tions might have been missed as a result. For clarification, Chair Cihacek noted that last year the PWETC had discussed particular species for plantings and advised that they would continue to do so be- yond water quality issues. Specific to solar energy, Chair Cihacek asked what Councilmember McGehee considered would constitute a good deal to the City Council above and beyond the one presented and that they felt would better fit the city's needs. Councilmember McGehee responded that she preferred more flexibility in the contract based on her reading of what had originally been proposed, since the el- ement of risk (e.g. downtimes, storm damage, roof leaks, etc.) all seemed to fall upon the city. Also, Councilmember McGehee expressed concern with the pro- jected annual rate increases and whether they were realistic for a public utility. Councilmember McGehee expressed further concerns that if and when the city inherited the system, it would eventually be responsible for its disposal, since the solar panels contained hazardous waste requiring further risk and expense. Councilmember Willmus addressed water conservation efforts as part of the up- coming PWETC work plan, and asked that they pursue more proactive ways that the city could incent natural landscapes rather than large expanses of sod, particu- larly at shopping and large commercial areas, as well as for homeowners to ex- plore options for more natural settings and how the city's permitting system sup- ported it(e.g. water conservation credits). Councilmember Willmus spoke in support of the PWETC's recommendations on how to incent installation of sewer backflow prevention devices through new or replacement of existing lines to diminish the city's liability over time. Also, with ongoing reports of lead pipes in homes, Councilmember Willmus asked the PWETC to provide more information on whether this is a problem in Roseville homes, including potentially with lead used in copper joint sweatings. Chair Cihacek advised that the PWETC had previously discussed that with staff, and had understood that lead pipes were not a major issue in Roseville due to the age of its housing stock; but stated they would ask staff to provide that study in- formation to the City Council as well.