Laserfiche WebLink
Councilmember Musgrove asked a follow up question, stating that some years may be outliers so <br />it may not be good to do it automatically. She noted if there would be too dramatic of an increase, <br />adjustments could be made and it is easier to look back and make adjustments accordingly. <br /> <br />Councilmember Musgrove asked about mobile home tie downs and the swimming pool, noting <br />the swimming pool didn’t increase as much as it had previously and it did not make the 2018 <br />levels. She asked whether the mobile home tie down fee needs to be as high as it is listed. She <br />noted a neighboring city has $10 per square foot for value and asked whether there is more benefit <br />in doing something like that. She expressed concern about people not being able to make the <br />permit fee, but having mobile homes tied down is a priority. <br /> <br />Building Official Szykulski answered that is a good suggestion, and he wouldn’t be opposed to <br />bringing it down to $75. He explained the mobile home is a unique situation in that not every city <br />has them. He noted that Coon Rapids has a rate of $77 and agreed that having mobile homes tied <br />down is important for safety in high winds. <br /> <br />Finance Director Lund referenced the other fees, noting the rate study had a 2.5% increase for <br />water and sewer and $23 million will be taken out of the water fund, so it is proposed to stay on <br />the water study at 2.5%. The sewer charge is at 1% and the rates are going up 7% to give a gradual <br />increase back to the sewer fund. The sewer fund is using about $9 million to fund the water <br />treatment plant so it’s just to keep a balance going in that account. She noted the other utility bill <br />accounts would stay constant with 2021, so there would be no raise in street lights, recycling, or <br />storm drains. Finance Director Lund stated the other change proposed is in regard to rental of <br />facilities at the parks and municipal center to charge $5 per hour instead of a flat rate of $10 for <br />the day. <br /> <br />Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood explained they are trying to make it <br />simpler for both the users and administration in the application of the rental process. He explained <br />that park spaces are very popular so it is difficult to meet the requests for these spaces. He noted <br />that having an hourly rate helps to determine how long people actually need the rental versus a <br />whole day rental and not allowing enough users access. They are also eliminating the key deposit <br />and an online registration system is available. <br /> <br />Councilmember Specht asked how a youth group is defined. <br /> <br />Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood answered that if the group is <br />primarily youth, such as scout groups, they would qualify for the youth rate, but birthday parties <br />wouldn’t quality. He also commented that staff needs to check the validity of non-profit groups <br />because some are taking liberties with that to save money. <br /> <br />Councilmember Specht stated he had a situation come up with a tutor wanting to rent a room at <br />City Hall and since there are a lot of different rates listed for different groups wanting to rent, it is <br />confusing. He asked if this is going to simplify things. <br /> <br />Finance Director Lund answered that in the situation Councilmember Specht referenced, it would <br />have been a $10 charge, the youth group rate. She didn’t know if there would be interest in <br />City Council Work Session / October 26, 2021 <br />Page 4 of 15 <br /> <br />