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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, April 26, 2010 Page 15 system; staff's review of comprehensive technology solutions and product capa- bilities, including promoting efficiency and conservation; more pro-active re- sponse to leaks and water usage; retrofit capabilities; decreased reading and bill- ing time; reliability; staff resource management; and uses of more-detailed pro- grammable and adaptable data. Mr. Schwartz reviewed the two phases for the proposed seven year implementa- tion plan: Phase I - 2010 - 2012 Start-up; all commercial; 650 new meters + radios; 350 retrofits with ADE head and radio; approximately 900 residential new meter + radios Phase II - 2013 - 2016 Residential focus; finish remaining 8,400 residential meters; new meter + radios on aging meters; retrofitting newer meters Mr. Schwartz reviewed impacts to water customers, with incremental rate in- creases anticipated within three years, but not implemented immediately during initial installation; and worst-case scenarios for residential customers at an esti- mated 1.5 - 2.5% rate increase, or $3.52 increase annually on a residential base fee. Mr. Schwartz reviewed the benefits to residents of leak detection and dollar savings for the resident and City through that early detection; and detailed water usage provided for customers allowing for more efficient budgeting and accuracy of the meters. Mr. Schwartz provided specific examples of early leak detection as customer ben- efits for residents and/or commercial users based on actual experiences over the last year. Mr. Schwartz reviewed the average customer service requests fielded by staff per month. Mr. Schwartz addressed proposed project funding and system cost comparisons, as detailed in the RCA; and staff recommendation for the Neptune fixed-base AMR system that will work with the City's current inventory of meters; as well as start-up costs and net comparisons for the phases of the installation. Discussion included application for a licensed radio frequency band by the City through the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) and upon receipt to re- turn to the City Council with a purchase order request to begin purchase of the various components to facilitate apro-active meter replacement process; educa- tional steps to alert the public; recovery of annual operating costs through utility rates, as with other capital investment plan (CIP) purchases; and longer life of me- ters due to the higher quality of water in Roseville than in some other distribution systems using well water with more mineral components.