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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Council Worksession <br />November 1, 2022 <br />5:00 pm <br /> <br /> <br />Present: Mayor Kari Niedfeldt-Thomas (attending remotely) <br /> Councilmember Abdullahi Abdulle <br />Councilmember Graeme Allen <br /> Councilmember Pam Axberg <br />Councilmember Emily Dunsworth (arrived at 5:15 pm) <br />Absent: <br /> <br />Staff in Attendance: Devin Massopust, Gina Foschi, Craig Schlichting <br /> <br />Guests in Attendance: <br /> <br />2023-2042 Utility Rate Analysis Discussion <br /> <br />Massopust reviewed the 20-year utility rate analysis goals and assumptions. <br /> <br />Foschi stated a 20‐year analysis of the City’s water, sewer, stormwater and street light enterprise operations <br />and their respective capital improvement plans is completed annually. The focus of the analysis is to ensure <br />the determination of revenues, expenses and cash flows is appropriate for operations, capital maintenance and <br />replacement. She described the proposed utility rates (water, sewer and stormwater) for 2023 and how these <br />rates would impact the average single family home. She then reviewed the future plans for the Community <br />Reinvestment Fund. <br /> <br />Schlichting commented on the projected improvement projects from 2023 to 2042, which included repainting <br />water towers, sanitary sewer improvements, water meter replacements, County road watermain reconstruction, <br />maintenance building improvements, watermain street reconstruction and street replacements. <br /> <br />Councilmember Allen asked if Fridley would continue to buy water from the City. Schlichting stated New <br />Brighton sends excess water to Fridley and Fridley pays for the chemicals. <br /> <br />Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas commented on the water efficiency products that people have in their homes and <br />how this may assist with water conservation. She inquired if the ice castles would be back again this year. <br />Massopust reported he was uncertain at this time. He noted the County signed off on this event. Foschi <br />reported the ice castles have used around 12 million gallons per year in the past. <br /> <br />Further discussion ensued regarding the impact of the ice castles on the City’s water fund. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dunsworth requested staff speak to how the sanitary sewer was split between commercial and <br />residential users. Foschi explained residential users make up 93% of all accounts, but use 44% of the City’s <br />sanitary sewer and the remaining 7% of accounts were commercial and use 52% of the City’s sanitary sewer. <br /> <br />Councilmember Allen asked if the stormwater projects included addressing the flooding that has occurred at