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Regular City Council Meeting Monday,August 12, 2019 Page 13 Public Works Director Marc Culver noted both Edina and St. Louis Park are well cities. As far as residential rates are concerned, regardless of the meter size the same base rate is charged and commercial rates are based on meter size. Councilmember Etten asked if the Green Steps Program focused on reducing wa- ter use. Mr. Culver explained the Green Steps Program encourages conservation rates. He was not sure if conservation rates were needed in order to hit steps four and five. Councilmember Etten asked if there was data showing that conservation rates double the base water rate changes use in any significant way. Mr. Freihammer indicated the city does not have any data that shows either way. Councilmember Etten asked if there are programs that are shown to reduce water consumption in a significant way. Mr. Freihammer explained the Commission did have considerable discussion on other things that can be done, particularly on the commercial side. He indicated there was a lot of discussion on irrigation programs, different software or irriga- tion programs that would help reduce water consumption. Councilmember Willmus asked what staff felt about a third summer tier water rate. Mr. Culver indicated if the city were to implement a third water tier rate, the ques- tion is how much reduction in water use would the city get. He noted staff does not know and there will probably be a lot of residents angry to begin with. He thought additional outreach was a good step to take after Council feedback and staff can gauge the higher users to find out what those users think about this. He explained the rate being proposed is significant but depends on how much differ- ence the city would see in the pattern. The goal is conservation, not to make more money. Councilmember Willmus thought it would be much more beneficial for a com- munity to engage in a longer, more proactive, education effort than imposing an expanded tier system. Mr. Culver agreed. He thought it would be a good thing to start educating resi- dents on water conservation.