2009-11-24_PWETC_Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Commissioners requested, and staff provided, an update on the Ramsey County reconstruction of the intersection of Fairview Avenue, as well as at County Road B-2 and Snelling Avenue, and staff's request for further review of cost benefits and modeling options for turn lanes based on significant right-of--way impacts to some property owners. Staff advised that they would return to the PWET Commission for further discussion as more information was made available. At the request of Commissioner Gjerdingen, staff updated the Commission on the Fairview Corridor project, with the technician initiating drafting designs, once completion of the observation of two other projects was completed, with involvement of the Commission at that time, anticipated in early 2010. 5. 2010 Budget Update Mr. Schwartz provided an update of ongoing Budgeting for Outcomes (BFO) budget discussion by the City Council and revised spreadsheets based on those discussions and the City Manager-recommended 2010 budget. Mr. Schwartz briefly reviewed how those discussions may impact the Public Works Department, and additional information being provided at the City Council's request specific to the department. Discussion included tax-supported funds versus enterprise funds and fee- supported areas; interest earnings; differentials in the Storm Water Utility Fund reflecting variations in the Capital Investment Program (CIP) Fund; reserves; individual and composite rankings of staff and the City Council; impacts to the City's Pavement Management Plan (PMP) and street maintenance levels being brought back up to normal levels with reserves in place; reductions in streetscape maintenance of $20,000; identification of potential revenue sources with new fees approved by the City Council for development plan review by the Engineering Department; and atwo- year contract for Building Maintenance services. Additional discussion included identifying the allotment to the Pathway Maintenance Fund; and Diseased and Hazardous Tree Removal allotment that would cover removal but little if any for replacement. Mr. Schwartz noted one significant area in the City Manager- recommended budget that had received the most discussion and controversy had been the elimination of outdoor skating rinks. Mr. Schwartz addressed other areas related to public safety and subsequent impacts, such as zero COLA for employees, with the City Council requesting additional cost-savings if step increases were frozen for new employees and impacts to existing union agreements; request to review potential elimination of all or non-essential overtime, which would impact snowplowing operations; reduced training and conference Page 4 of 11