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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, July 14, 2008 Page 13 Background: collection program in place sine 1970; fee for service since 1998; approximately 4500 annual participants prior to 1998; participation slowly declin- ing; proposed fee for 2008 is $25; drop off volume at recycling site has increased. Program challenges: weather is greatest impact on program cost; short window to provide service (3 weeks); need enough resources to stay on schedule; requires most street division staff plus temporary labor for clean up raking; some years dif- ficult to meet customer expectation. Program costs: $77,763 total cost for 2007; 1321 participants/approximately 15% of single family residences; $26,420 user fees collected; estimated $42,000 in street and catch basin cleanup required without program; 2007 storm utility subsidy $7.07/user. Options for Residents: leaf collection program; backyard composting; mulching mowers; lawn services; haul to recycling center; place at curbside for trash hauler (may charge fee for this service). Discussion: Return to no fee program could require additional $100,000 funding or reduction in existing programs; high impact on existing resources; difficult to contract program of this magnitude; specialty equipment required. Councilmember Ihlan questioned the potential cost per household or per user to fund the service by spreading out the estimated $100,000 of additional cost city- wide through an increase in corresponding utility bills. City Finance Director Chris Miller estimated that an additional $10/homeowner per year would be required; and that it would require changes to the stormwater utility policy, and would apply to businesses as well as homeowners. Discussion included mandatory versus voluntary participation and challenges of each; service charge for businesses based on their typical stormwater use; chal- lenges in finding contractors for a mandatory program and additional equipment, and implementing on a city-wide basis may require additional capital equipment purchase and/or storage costs; and other options available, favored andlor utilized by those not participating in the program. Councilmember Willmus noting the continuing and steady decline of participants; and his unwillingness to penalize citizens for using alternative options. Council- member Willmus opined that it may be time to drop the leaf collection program and retain the compost site. Councilmember Ihlan opined the need to let the public know of any potential changes; and suggested that due to decreased participation and increased costs, the program may be cost prohibitive for some residents, specifically those senior