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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Council Worksession <br />November 22, 2016 <br />5:00 pm <br /> <br />Present: Mayor Valerie Johnson <br />Councilmember Brian Strub <br /> Councilmember Paul Jacobsen <br />Councilmember Mary Burg <br />Councilmember Gina Bauman (arrived at 6:05 p.m.) <br />Absent: <br /> <br />Staff in Attendance: Dean Lotter, Brenda Davitt, Craig Schlichting <br /> <br />Guests in Attendance: <br /> <br />Utility Rate Study <br />Lotter explained Davitt and Schlichting would be reviewing the most recent utility rate study with the Council. <br /> <br />Davitt presented the Council with the findings within the utility rate study. <br /> <br />Schlichting explained water was the City’s most expensive utility. He discussed the City’s estimated <br />expenditures over the next 10 years. The proposed work for the City’s lift stations and stormwater system was <br />detailed. He recommended that the Council consider replacing its old steel light poles with aluminum for <br />maintenance purposes. <br /> <br />Davitt reviewed the water usage projections for the coming years. She commented on a proposed financial <br />utility assistance program. She discussed the moderate utility rate increases staff was proposing along with <br />how cash flows would be impacted. She requested the Council discuss the new utility rates and offer their <br />approval. <br /> <br />Mayor Johnson asked if Lion’s Park would have running water. She understood that the Lion’s would like to <br />install a drinking fountain in the park. Schlichting discussed the location of the nearest water main to the park. <br /> <br />Councilmember Burg asked how staff devised the water usage averages. Davitt described how she estimated <br />the water usage numbers for the coming years. <br /> <br />Mayor Johnson believed New Brighton had very low water rates when compared to neighboring communities. <br />She believed the City’s utility rates should become more aligned with neighboring communities. Lotter and <br />Davitt discussed how the City had outsourced its meter reading. <br /> <br />Mayor Johnson was proud of the fact the City had very competitive water rates and was working to become <br />self-sufficient by 2036. <br /> <br />Councilmember Strub agreed and appreciated the City’s 20-year vision and fiscal responsibility with regard to <br />its infrastructure. <br />