Minutes - Council Work Session - 11/15/2011

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Mayor Ramsey asked if other funds will be part of the funding package, such as storm water utility funds, to offset some of the $90 million. Public Works Director Olson indicated the City is currently in the information - gathering phase of the Communication Plan. He advised that it cost $750,000 per mile for a standard roadway and some features dramatically increase the cost such as sidewalks and road widths. Mayor Ramsey stated he would like the numbers tightened so they are not arbitrary. City Administrator Ulrich suggested subtracting the dollars that are not yet designated, such as MSA. He estimated the City has $50 million of unfunded road projects that needs to be constructed. Mayor Ramsey suggested the information include the number of road miles it will fund. Public Works Director Olson stated the City has 178 miles of road and 28 miles of MSA so there are 150 miles of road and if 100% assessed, it is all unfunded. He indicated staff can tighten up the number but he believed the information should be kept simple so the focus is the issue, not the money behind the issue. He asked under what period of time the Council wants the funding to be reflected. He stated it would be $90 million over the next 40 years and no funding is available for that work. Mayor Ramsey felt that was not specific enough and residents will know that round number is not accurate. Councilmember Backous noted the information includes the funding source and three options for funding but he thinks another option could be a combination of the three options the Council discussed. Councilmember McGlone stated staff has already tightened up the number by clarifying it cost $750,000 per road mile. Councilmember Strommen asked where will the funding come from for the options described. She noted that Option 1, Do Nothing, may be inferred to mean the City will do nothing to maintain the roads. However, the intent is that "Do Nothing" means to maintain the City's assessment policy. In addition, it may be confusing for a member of the public to figure the relative costs of the options because each is measured differently and over different periods of time. She believed providing apples -to- apples information in a table format may provide a better comparison. In addition, the comparison is based on a monthly cost; however, most people usually consider property taxes as an annual expense, not a monthly expense. Public Works Director Olson stated staff has normalized the numbers so residents can look at the per month charge for a $150,000 or $450,000 valued home. City Council Work Session / November 15, 2011 Page2of9