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� � 4 � �k � � � Regular City Council Meeting Monday, February 12,2007 Page 21 of the leaf collection program in the overall cost analysis of the program and benefits to the City. Mr. Schwartz provided the approximate city subsidy costs per user as part of his analysis. CouncilmemberPust thanked staff for providing the cost comparison figures. CouncilmemberPust opined that this was a huge, valuable program for the City, but questioned if there were ways to better cover administrative costs and registra- tion enforcement concerns. 1� Discussion included accuracy of comparison costs; administrative procedures and � 1 costs; voluntary payment for participating in the program and collection rate analy- 1� sis; program enforcement and abuses; perceptions of residents that the program 13 was "free," and the need to make the administrative costs as revenue-neutral as 1 f� possible; and the positive comments and apparent value to residents of continuing l �� the program. ] �� 1� 1� 1� Councilmember Kough spoke in support of continuing the program, and the bene- fits to the City for alleviating leaves in the sewer system. � � Public Comment � 1 John Kysylyczyn, 3083 N Victoria Street �.� Mr. Kysylyczyn noted the pluses and minuses he perceived in the leaf collection �;� program. He opined that, in many ways, it highlighted wasteful and misdirected �� spending of local government while increasing taxes. Mr. Kysylyczyn calculated �; � that only 11 % of city residents were using the program, but that the City was �� spending $11,000 to subsidize the program with 100% taxpayer monies, and it was �7 only benefiting single-family residential property owners, not the entire tax base, �� including multi-family and commercial properties. Mr. Kysylyczyn questioned the �� equipment costs, questioned if this was money best spent at a local level, and ques- �� tioned the wisdom of municipal decision makers. �1 �'� Further City Council and staff discussion ensued. �3 �4 CouncilmemberIhlan questioned if a storm water user fee were established for all �� commercial and residential property owners, and the City provided the service to �� anyone, how much of an operating fee would be required to support the program. �7 �� Mr. Schwartz noted that it would be difficult to determine; and reviewed the pro- �� gram the City had previously used by not charging a fee and advertising dates for