Laserfiche WebLink
Special City Council Strategic Planning Meeting <br />Saturday, February 7, 2009 <br />Page 3 <br />some relief in fuel costs; however, he noted that to-date, bids for asphalt were not <br />indicative of any cost reductions. Mr. Schwartz noted that this creates further issues in <br />the City's historic service levels. <br />Mr. Schwartz reviewed each of the tax-supported fund areas within his department: <br />Public Works Administration/Engineering <br />Mr. Schwartz advised that there would be minimal significant impacts in this area in <br />continuing to deliver the City's construction program through its Pavement Management <br />Program (PMP); however, noted that other services to the community (i.e., GIS mapping <br />and other internal services) would be impacted. Mr. Schwartz advised that reductions <br />would eliminate his staff's ability to seek outside assistance for engineering services. Mr. <br />Schwartz advised that, over the last 2-3 years, the department had gained some revenues <br />from the Joint Powers Agreements (JPA's) with the Cities of Falcon Heights and Arden <br />Hills that helped to offset some of the City's overtime costs and seasonal employee costs, <br />which had served as a real benefit. <br />Street lighting <br />Mr. Schwartz advised that reductions to this department, already being kept consistent <br />with 2008 budgeting, including increased Xcel Energy rates, would reduce the <br />department's ability to repair contractually city-owned lighting systems that were already <br />in place; and advised that he would need to continue to monitor related impacts due that. <br />Building maintenance <br />Mr. Schwartz advised that there had been no increase in this area; however, he noted that <br />line item revenues may be depleted by year-end, due to significant use of City facilities <br />for after-hour activities. Mr. Schwartz noted that this increased maintenance requests for <br />City Hall and conference room use, including supply purchases (i.e., paper products). <br />Mr. Schwartz advised that they had recently sought Requests for Proposals (RFP's) for <br />janitorial services, and following analysis, intended to bring a recommendation forward <br />to the City Council in the near future. Mr. Schwartz advised that the current economic <br />situation, had provided an increase in the number of proposals received, in addition to <br />potentially providing for significant reductions in the City's cost for janitorial services. <br />Mr. Schwartz advised that part of staff's analysis would include their .service levels, <br />impacts in overall quality, and would include staff's interviewing of each firm. <br />Central Garage <br />Mr. Schwartz advised that, with the proposed longer vehicle retention times, this would <br />significantly impact the overtime budget for the remaining two mechanics on staff. Mr. <br />Schwartz noted that, significant down-time impacted operational costs for all <br />departments; it also wasted taxpayer monies to have that down-time and reduced services <br />levels (i.e., snow plow equipment). Mr. Schwartz advised that the mechanics would do <br />their best to keep the equipment in shape; however, noted that this may mean additional <br />