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eg lar it ci eeti ou ay, cto er 7 age 7 Councilmember Roe spoke in support of staff's recommendation; opining that similar increases were being experienced in private industry as well. Council- member Roe expressed public appreciation to the Benefits and Wellness Commit- tee for their recognition of and common-sense approach to suggested changes to deal with some of the cost issues the City was dealing with, and making it easier for him as a policy maker to find solutions. Councilmember Roe expressed frus- tration with the insurance industry and calculation methods within this specific group of clients, rather than spreading the risk across a larger population group. Discussion included trends for employee insurance for City employees and phi- losophical considerations and traditions; impacts of out-of-pocket expenses and employee risk increases; single, single plus one, and/or family coverage benefits; employee opt out provisions; and best interests of the City and the employee. Pust moved, Roe seconded, approval of the 2008 insurance programs and fund al- location as described in the staff report dated October 15, 2007, with the respec- tive contracts, subject to review and approval by the City Attorney. Mayor Klausing concurred with Councilmember Roe in commending the City employee's Benefits and Wellness Committee. Additional discussion included potential avenues for future insurance coverage through pooling larger employee groups in City government; legislative assis- tance; and impacts of the City's rates, risk and claim history. Roll Call Ayes: Ihlan; Roe; Kough; Pust; and Klausing. Nays: None. c. Accept Geothermal Feasibility Report and Discuss Options Parks and Recreation Director Lonnie Brokke and Skating Center Superintendent Brad Tullberg were present to provide more detailed information and to discuss options on the previous presentation and Feasibility Study for the Indoor Ice Arena refrigeration replacement and feasibility for conversion/retrofit of geother- mal technology in that building, or throughout the campus. Mr. Brokke provided an updated cost comparison chart as a bench handout, of conventional direct (par- tial and full); conventional indirect (partial and full); and geothermal (partial and full), following receipt of additional information earlier this afternoon. Discussion included analysis of each option, with advantages and/or disadvan- tages of each; payback relationships; R22 availability, environmental considera- tions, and costs versus other coolants; those four components needing immediate repair/replacement (refrigeration floor; boards and glass system; condenser; and chiller); with Mr. Brokke noting that design costs were not included in any of the cost estimates provided to-date. Additional discussion included concern for vulnerability of ice conditions during the summer months; upfront costs, short- and long-term costs; current use of brine