Minutes - Council - 02/06/2012 - Special

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lower. Communities make that decision all the time — who pays and how do the costs get spread around. Acting Mayor Wise asked about Ramsey's user fee rates — Public Works Director Olson replied that Ramsey is generally in the bottom third to middle in comparison to communities within the seven - county district. Deputy City Administrator Nelson stated that discussion is yet to come. This discussion is about population assumptions. Councilmember McGlone stated that we are going through a five -year period of nonexistent development. Even if we have five years of great development to factor in, the fact remains that people out in the rural area can develop on a septic system and are likely to do that. How are all these other factors being factored into this. We are statistically not on the map for what the projections were. Deduct from what you already have and the number is already off - it's like five years of negative. Senior Planner Gladhill reported that part of the assumption did include the areas developed as two and a half acre lots so part of that is included in the population forecast — septic growth is assumed in the forecast. Councilmember Elvig stated that if we are looking at the Comprehensive Water and Sewer Plan, he is not in favor of changing that plan. We spent a lot of money getting that plan. He talked about a loop system and about a gravity system. When you put veins of infrastructure and lay it out on a map, there are a couple of good ways to do it. We came up with a good way back five years ago or so. Growth will eventually be there — we just don't know when. He added he is more interested in developers paying for this. Ward 1 and Ward 2 may get more pressure for density housing. He did not see changing the actual infrastructure. Councilmember Backous stated it seems Council is being asked to come up with a number for growth and suggested 250 households. Councilmember Tossey stated he would second that number. Director of Public Works Olson stated that there was a lot of time and effort put into the Comprehensive Plan. The numbers are way more aggressive than you think. On the revenue side —the higher the projections — the less the fees will be. Councilmember Strommen commented unless you do not get users there. Mr. Olson stated there are other factors for the policy. Councilmember Strommen asked if there isn't a way to not throw out all the planning — and suggested just saying we will get there at a much slower pace than projected. City Council — Special Meeting — February 6, 2012 Page 6 of 11