Minutes - Council - 08/24/1999 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Administrator Norman explained that there is already an established need for the position. Councilmember Anderson stated that she is concerned over the allocation of tasks. City Administrator Norman stated that delaying the hiring process will only delay City Administrator tasks from being completed. Councilmember Anderson stated that if the wrong person is hired then the tasks will not be able to be completed. Councilmember Hendriksen stated that it was a real valuable thing to bring outside secretarial services to relieve Jo from some of her duties and that sometimes being innovative rather then replacing people is beneficial. He suggested the idea of contracting out part of the job duties and to split the remaining duties among existing employees. He questioned if there would be an outside source that could assist with some of the work instead of hiring someone for the short- term. City Administrator Norman stated that he would explore the options and bring them back to a work session. 7) Administrative Policy-Vacation Donation This item was tabled until the next Personnel Committee meeting. Case #9: Report from Finance Committee 1) Increase of Sewer Rates Finance Officer Lund stated that at the June 21, 1999, City Council work session, it was requested that the City of Ramsey's sewer rate be increased by 2%. This increase was recommended based on the findings of the 1998 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report which stated that the Sewer Fund's revenue was minimally exceeding the actual expenses of the Fund. The Sewer Fund has seen large sewer service charges from the Metropolitan Council in the past year, in that the Met Council has been completing a "catch up" in its billing for actual usage. Whereas, in the past, the bill that was submitted was based on estimates, now actual figures are being used; thus, the reason for only a slight increase in revenues. This slight increase does not leave a "cushion" for any emergency expenditures. The City currently charges a flat rate of $55.81 for residential usage and $55.81 + 2.54 per 1,000 gallons in excess of 20,000 gallons for commercial properties. The proposed 2% increase would bring these rates to $56.93 and $56.93 + $2.54/1,000 gallons, respectively. In comparison, the Metropolitan Council was charging $27,276 for the first quarter of 1999, and $23,225 for each quarter thereafter. The proposed rate increase would affect approximately 1,700 residential customers and 70 commercial businesses. The increase would go into effect on the third quarter 1999 utility bill. City Council/August 24, 1999 Page 21 of 25