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Bonnie Balach, Lobbyist, stated good progress was made last year, and they are optimistic they can get everything fully in place next session. There were two legislative initiatives put forward last year, one would have given the City full Port Authority powers and the other would have created a special tax increment for up to 25 years with some exceptions for green acre provisions. The last legislative session was the capital budget year, and the legislature did not want to do any TIF that was not necessary immediately; the City of Ramsey did not meet the time test for that urgency so they will be proceeding again next year. City Administrator Norman indicated the port authority powers that were passed attached site specific language from the TIF bill into the Port Authority bill; this site specific language needs to be removed. Chairperson Strommen stated she has worked with Ms. Balach and has all the faith in the world in her capability. She stressed the need for the City to be careful before using any port authority powers in the future. Motion by Councilmember Jeffrey, seconded by Councilmember Elvig, to recommend to City Council to adopt the resolution authorizing the contract of Ms. Bonnie Balach for lobbying services on behalf of the City in a not-to-exceed amount of$5,000. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Strommen, Councilmembers Jeffrey and Elvig. Voting No: None. Case #2: Meeting with Property Owner at 14720 Germanium Street Regarding $6,000 Water Bill Finance Officer Lund reviewed that at the May 9, 2006 Finance Committee meeting, it was brought to the Committee member's attention that a $6,000 water bill was received by a resident, Ms. Audrey Smith, residing at 14720 Germanium Street. At the Finance Committee meeting of May 23, 2006, Ms. Smith and a representative from the Armed Services, Sgt. Phaney, spoke regarding the large water bill. The direction of the Finance Committee was to have Sgt. Phaney further examine the water meter regarding size, flow, etc., and if any relief monies were available, and present back to Council at a later date. Ms. Lund stated that Ms. Smith contacted her last week and asked to be placed on the Committee meeting agenda tonight. Staff Sgt. Mark Phaney, Armed Services representative assisting Ms. Smith, stated prior to the last meeting he had the chance to talk to John Nelson, Utilities Supervisor, who had given his input about what he thought was going on with this problem. Testing was done with the pipes severed outside and the water turned on for 10 minutes to see how much water would flow through. He now has a better idea of the water flow with clean break in the pipe, and when a pipe freezes it doesn't completely sever, it generally starts out with a narrow crack and the pipe will leak at a reduced rate. He went to the National Weather Service web site and downloaded information for November through March. Essentially Mr. Nelson had made the point that the pipe would have to have frozen in January, but the weather information does not support that. According to the weather information the pipe could have frozen in November, and most likely Finance Committee / July 25, 2006 Page 2 of6