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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Council Worksession <br />November 14, 2023 <br />5:00 pm <br /> <br /> <br />Present: Councilmember Abdullahi Abdulle <br />Councilmember Graeme Allen <br /> Councilmember Pam Axberg <br />Acting Mayor Emily Dunsworth <br /> <br />Absent: Mayor Kari Niedfeldt-Thomas <br /> <br />Staff in Attendance: Jen Lehmann, Gina Foschi, Craig Schlichting <br /> <br />Guests in Attendance: <br /> <br />2024-2043 Utility Rate Analysis Discussion <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. The goals and assumptions within the analysis were reviewed in detail with the Council. <br /> <br />Schlichting discussed the proposed water capital infrastructure expenditures that were planned for the next 20 <br />years. He commented on how City staff determines which water mains were in need of replacement and which <br />were not. The sanitary sewer, stormwater and street light capital improvements were then discussed in further <br />detail. <br /> <br />Councilmember Abdulle asked how long the paint would last on the City’s water towers. Schlichting reported <br />the paints typically lasted 20 to 25 years. <br /> <br />Foschi reviewed the proposed rate increases for 2024 for water, sanitary sewer and stormwater. She reviewed a <br />comparison of the 2024 rates for average single family use against other cities rates. Staff commented further <br />on the analysis that was completed for the City’s utilities and requested comments or questions. <br /> <br />Councilmember Allen stated he was proud of the work the City has done to improve its stormwater system. He <br />commented on how costs for utility services were spread across commercial and residential properties. He <br />asked if Fridley would continue to receive excess water from New Brighton. Schlichting reported they would <br />continue to receive excess water, noting Fridley was responsible for treating this water. <br /> <br />Councilmember Allen questioned if the City’s projected numbers would change if the City were to renegotiate <br />with the Army. Schlichting reported the City’s projected numbers would not change. He explained the Army <br />was only responsible for paying for the treatment facility and the removal of contaminants. He stated the Army <br />would have to continue to pay for this, while the City pays for the distribution of the water. <br /> <br />