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City Administrator Ulrich moved on to the water treatment study, noting that the study will <br />provide options for the future and will be a decision point on whether the Council wants to move <br />forward on any of those recommendations within the report. He provided an update on the <br />Highway 10 corridor improvement and the legislative discussions that have occurred related to <br />funding. <br /> <br />Mayor LeTourneau stated that perhaps a deeper discussion could occur at the Highway 10 <br />Subcommittee meeting. <br /> <br />City Administrator Ulrich noted that the City intended to delve into the discussion related to long <br />term road funding and pavement management prior to the COVID-19 situation. <br /> <br />Councilmember Riley stated that this discussion is vital and does not believe the City can wait on <br />this topic. He stated that if the City wants to move forward, it needs to happen soon, or if <br />assessments will continue, that choice also needs to happen soon. He stated that doing nothing <br />does not work. He noted that was the decision last year and he will not accept another year of <br />doing nothing. <br /> <br />Councilmember Specht agreed. He stated that from his perception not many people like the <br />model the City was using with assessments and believed it is important to get onto the next <br />method. <br /> <br />Councilmember Kuzma stated that he also agrees that this decision is long overdue and is <br />disappointed that one year was lost. He stated that he supports franchise fees, as that seems to <br />make the most sense and would like the City to continue down that path. <br /> <br />Councilmember Menth stated that he agrees that something needs to be done. He commented <br />that no one likes the system the City has now and also favors the franchise fee model. He stated <br />that if that cannot be done, then taxes need to be raised to fix the roads. <br /> <br />Councilmember Heinrich stated that she agrees that road funding is a priority as that is a basic <br />piece of infrastructure but does not agree that the City has not done anything. She stated that <br />multiple open houses were held the previous year and the City paid for a consultant to come in <br />and host that. She stated that while franchise fees did not move forward, the 75/25 plan is in <br />place. She stated that it is a tough decision and the City needs to continue on with being decisive <br />about how the City will fund roads in the next five years. <br /> <br />Mayor LeTourneau agreed that the City has been working on roads but acknowledged that the <br />next five-year plan has not been put in place. <br /> <br />Councilmember Musgrove stated that she feels that the Council does need to have the discussion <br />and needs to make a long-term decision. She credited the staff for the creative use of funds this <br />year and last year in order to facilitate some projects moving forward in the interim. <br /> <br />Mayor LeTourneau confirmed the consensus of Council that this topic come back to the Council <br />in the near future to discuss and make a decision. <br />City Council Work Session / April 14, 2020 <br />Page 5 of 7 <br /> <br />