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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, July 14, 2008 Page 14 citizens on fixed incomes, who maybe using other options, not as a choice but out of necessity. Councilmember Ihlan spoke in support of returning to the program as it was in 1996, rather than allowing market forces and administrative costs to drive the program into the ground and not serving the needs of those needing the service. Further discussion included refinement of the existing cost ($77,000+) and pro- jected cost of approximately $150,000; approximate $26,000+ in lost revenue from user fees if the program is not utilized; annual cost of approximately $42,000 for catch basin cleaning and maintenance; and budget ramifications of approximately $42,000 for catch basin maintenance without the leaf pick up pro- gram. Councilmember Roe opined the need to address why participation continued to decline, and not just to assume it was tied with cost, but suggested a localized in- ternal survey of the declined use. Additional discussion included other cost-effective ways that may be available to continue the service, rather than through everyone paying a fee on their utility bills whether they used the service or not. City Manager Malinen calculated that a program cost of $150,000 and 9,000 sin- gle-family homes in Roseville, represented $16/year or $1.40/month against those 9,000 homes. Councilmember Pust opined that citizens would speak up with their concerns about paying $16/year for a service they may not use. Mayor Klausing noted various considerations: cause/effect relationship with the increased costs; common good for the community; whether decreased use was based on financial hardship in all cases, or if in some cases, it was due to the lim- ited window of opportunity for using the service, depending on weather and leaves dropping off their trees. Mayor Klausing sought more hard data on alterna- tive sources for leaf disposal, and those being used by Roseville citizens; and data on those attempting to use the service, but not willing to pay for it. Mr. Schwartz advised that he was unsure of data on other alternatives; however, noted that during last year's collection, when it appeared piles were on the boule- vard, without pre-registration, crews picked them up and those households were billed, with some paying, but others creating challenges for collection for the ser- vice. Mr. Schwartz noted that the City's current storm utility code, as currently written, did not allow for certification of the fees to taxes. Councilmember Pust asked that staff bring additional information on changing the storm utility code with changes allowing for certification of fees to taxes.