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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, March 30, 2009 Page 15 Discussion included incentives to get property owners to remove structures versus ongoing maintenance; definition and intentions of condemnation and/or eminent do- main and the status of the buildings at this time; minimum compliance standards by property owners; enforcement from a health, safety and welfare of the community standpoint; similar standards for property owners in Twin Lakes as well as the re- mainder of the community; and compliance versus demolition considerations for property owners. City Attorney Anderson noted legislative changes since 2005 for the purposes of un- dertaking condemnation. Consensus was that the ultimate objective of the City Council was to see those un- sightly properties resolved; with the caveat to not force property owners to reactivate trucking uses, and ultimate improvements for the properties. Mr. Trudgeon advised that staff would investigate the sites and particular issues; and would provide further research and determine resolution of short-term issues. Councilmember Pust opined that she would be surprised, upon staff's investigation, if they were not back before the City Council seeking abatements. Mayor Klausing asked that staff follow-up with those citizens having expressed con- cerns, advising them of the City Council's discussion; and for staff to copy the City Council on those staff responses as well. e. Discuss 2009 Utility Rates Councilmember Ihlan initiated discussion related to her concerns with the City's new water billing structure and achieving conservation rates under that structure, as de- tailed in the staff report dated March 30, 2009. Councilmember Ihlan had provided several suggestions for creation of additional us- age tiers or blocks to facilitate conservation incentives; and to address larger users paying more. Councilmember Ihlan referenced calculations provided by Senator John Marty's office dated February 23, 2009 and included in the agenda packet mate- rials. Mayor Klausing noted the two outcomes to be achieved with the new rate structure: ^ Providing long-term financial sustainability for the City's water, sewer and stormwater operations; and ^ Encouraging water conservation in conjunction with the goals and strategies out- lined in the City's Imagine Roseville 2025 Initiatives, as well as a new State law. Finance Director Chris Miller noted that, while there may be means to design a rate structure, the City was meeting the legal requirements, as detailed in the packet mate-