Minutes - Council Work Session - 02/15/2022 - Special

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City Administrator Ulrich summarized that the question has two points, one quantify the savings that are being experienced now and then see what other savings can be found and publicize that to the public. He thought they had made a pretty big deal that this is going to make things more efficient and to communicate that. Councilmember Riley replied that would absolutely add value. Mayor Kuzma added to have less time to go to all the different places, that has to be a big factor. Public Works Superintendent Riemer stated the cost savings right now, they just took a tank of a load of fuel, for gas they are paying $3.00 per gallon as compared to $3.28 at the pumps now so they are saving almost 30 cents a gallon just by having their own pump instead of going out into the public. City Administrator Ulrich stated he has “quantify cost savings and optimize public works efficiencies and communicate these efficiencies to the public.” Councilmember Musgrove thanked the Staff for completing 50% of them already on there. Two of them look like they were under budgeted so that is why there were incomplete. She commented to Councilmember Riley’s point with the public works ongoing savings that is recognized as well. She didn’t know how that would be put under a strategy and record it but thought it was good for communicating that to the public. She stated it could be added to the communication strategy and asked if that is what Councilmember Riley was referring to. Councilmember Riley replied just identifying savings are great but also communicating it is the other part. Councilmember Musgrove asked if at this point, it should be under communications because the facility is already built and it will be realized more as time goes on and more data is gathered. City Administrator Ulrich explained that what was found last year in going through this, is that a lot of the tactics overlap in the different strategies, which is good. It covers communication but there also is a cost efficiency piece of this if more inefficiencies are continued to be looked for with this new building. It can be under either one or both and that can be decided later. He stated they are ready to move on to the next strategy. Administrative Services Director Lasher stated she has one idea that is on the minds of Administrative Services Staff every day and has to do with providing public service to the County in the license center. Because of where the receptionist sits, she is the focal point. They are very busy and have a very cumbersome check-in process so people can’t just pop in and ask a question. She noted that Pam or whoever is covering the front desk is an Anoka County License Center employee who is not trained and facing a lot of frustration from customers who want them to answer questions. She stated Staff can answer some of the questions but don’t know how to do those jobs so it creates a lot of frustration because a customer comes in and doesn’t realize they are not County employees. They just want to know if they can get their tabs or their passport or City Council Special Work Session / February 15, 2022 Page 20 of 31