11-25-2008 Council Work Session Minutes

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iv) Check with Minnetonka Beach to see if they are making any progress in their efforts to underground utilities. v) Council determined that a neighborhood meeting should be scheduled on December lOt" at the Freshwater Center. Tom Kellogg and Soren will work on a letter with details about undergrounding utilities. Xcel representatives will be invited to attend to respond to resident questions. 4. Engineer's Report a. Contract Services and Rate i) Rates are proposed to increase by an average of 2.5%with no service changes. For 2008 there is an additional retainer rate that allowed for office hours. Tom and Bill will work together to develop a plan for something in addition to standard rates for 2009. ii) Council commented that working with the engineer during the City Administrator transition has worked well. City staff and Council have a strong working relationship with Tom Kellogg. iii) As with the City Attorney, the City has the option to cut back on use of the engineering services to address recession factors. b. Casco Point Draft Feasibility Report i) Brief discussion was held regarding the Feasibility Report. Council will review more closely and direct comments to Lin, lvee a,ci.orono.mn.us, to compile in the next week to 10 days. ii) The report can be brought to the next Council meeting for adoption with discussion about specific topics at the next work session. iii) The costs for street replacement in the feasibility report are similar to the original costs from Pavement Management Plan and are very close to the bond documents. As the street project was discussed, it made sense to look at replacing existing utilities under the street at same time. These costs were included in the report and increases the total costs. Currently there are not enough funds in sewer, water and stormwater funds to adequately cover the entire cost of sewer, water and stormwater improvements. iv) Replacement of sewer and water lines that are under the road and directly related to the street project could be included with work done as part of the bond funds. Sewer and water funds could then pay back costs to the debt service fund. v) Stormwater costs address issues of 35 —36 properties with problems. The stormwater fund would be depleted if all issues were addressed. Many of the stormwater issues could be scheduled for improvement at a later date. vi) Finance will work on options and a recommendation for financing additional costs for sewer, water and stormwater improvements. vii)The mill and overlay and street seal coat projects for 2008 costs were less than budgeted. An adjustment will be made to the Pavement Management Plan. 5. TNT Preparation by Finance a. Presentation for the Truth in Taxation Hearing includes the following main points: i) General fund increase of 2.95% ii) Flat revenues iii) Positions not filled— 3 iv) One of the lowest tax rates in the State *Indicates Staff Action Item Page 3