2026-09-23 - Budget Committee

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08:27>> Vice chair hitting here,

08:29Councilmember Councilmember

08:32Cole meant it councilmember

08:34can't Councilmember just too

08:38council, president maker

08:40Sheriff Johnson here. 6

08:44president one absent the

08:45councilmember

08:49>> Are ready. So we're

08:51continuing our budget series

08:53this week. We have the

08:53department public works.

08:56There's a lot to go with us

08:58today. So we'll keep the clock

08:59running. So folks kind of are

09:01aware of how much time we have

09:03left. I will preface that I am

09:04asking council members too,

09:06hold their mighty questions as

09:08we get to the contact. Welcome

09:10direct a Barber.

09:14>> Thank you. Madam Chair,

09:14Madam Chair, Council members,

09:15thanks so much for having us

09:17here today.

09:18>> You'll see, hopefully you

09:19can see the slides. We're

09:21starting a few slides in at

09:22the request Chair Johnson.

09:23>> As you mentioned, we have a

09:24lot to cover today. So there

09:27are several introductory

09:28slides and you can easily go

09:29through those and and search

09:30back with any questions. A lot

09:32of it is is grounding in the

09:33work that public work does as

09:36we kick off at just want lay

09:39some groundwork in general

09:40that public works is focused

09:41on building and maintaining

09:44party infrastructure.

09:45Developing long-term plans to

09:46build operate and maintain

09:47infrastructure and program

09:49services develop long-term

09:53revenue streams maintaining

09:54the combination of talented

09:55staff who we have that are

09:57needed as well as materials

09:58and equipment to be able to

10:00deliver work of public works.

10:03So we're starting right with

10:05the general fund. You can see

10:07that the general Fund focuses

10:08on several areas and support

10:10several activities, including

10:13potholes, street lights, none

10:14of which the public wants.

10:15Less of all important services

10:16for the city. One of the

10:19questions that came up during

10:20our pre meeting was related to

10:22straighten and snow

10:23maintenance of what

10:23percentages are those 4

10:24throughout the years. So it's

10:28actually pretty evenly split

10:29between winter and summer and

10:30winter. It's 4.9 million and

10:31summer is 5.3 million. you

10:35know, we know winter can be

10:37variable that always must plan

10:38ahead to make sure we have

10:39adequate budget to address

10:41whatever mother nature throws

10:43at us. And I think one of the

10:45things I also want to

10:46highlight as we talk about

10:46this slide is the general in

10:51addition to funding these case

10:52are vis is in these key

10:54operations is we do have to

10:56take care of unexpected

10:58things. We're going to talk a

10:59little bit more about some of

10:59those other options. But one

11:03really important one right now

11:04as the respect tunnels for the

11:06regional trail. That is

11:08something that comes out of

11:09the general fund. But it is

11:10something that we know we have

11:13a solution to address and we

11:14have some funding that is

11:16available. So it's really

11:17important to us to make sure

11:18that we're being responsive as

11:19well as doing all the program,

11:21things. So we have a solution

11:22to get those tunnels open

11:25we'll be able to open the

11:27regional trail. I don't have

11:28exact timing for you, but I

11:29think it's just important for

11:29you to know that not only do

11:32we plan and execute a those

11:33plans, we have to respond to

11:35things in real time. And that

11:36is really important piece of

11:37the general fund. So how much

11:43is the general fund relative

11:43to the overall budget? So the

11:47general fund accounts for

11:48about 17% of the budget where

11:50special funds accounts for

11:50about 83% of the of the

11:54budget. You know that there is

11:56a 1.6% increase in the public

11:57works. General fund for this

11:59proposed for 2027 also want to

12:03note that that doesn't keep

12:04pace with inflation, which is

12:072.4%. This gap is increasingly

12:09difficult to maintain aging

12:10infrastructure address.

12:10Deferred maintenance needs

12:13because our costs for

12:14materials, equipments and

12:15contracted services are rising

12:15faster than our funding. This

12:19means that public works is

12:20effectively operating with

12:21less real purchasing power

12:22than the prior year. the

12:25funding gap compounds deferred

12:26maintenance, making it harder

12:27to keep up with deterioration.

12:31And this is a true thing that

12:32these 2 numbers, inflation and

12:34the increased don't match.

12:37We've really as a group focus

12:39on cost discipline so that we

12:40can highlight and really focus

12:41on delivering the services

12:42that are needed and continue

12:45to maintain and operate the

12:46infrastructure within the city

12:46of Saint Paul. All right. Onto

12:53special funds mentioned, that

12:54is the larger percentage.

12:57There ae several different

12:59special funds, including

13:00traffic warehouse, asphalt

13:01plants, engineering srvices,

13:04solid waste and recycling

13:05sewers, street lighting

13:06districts, right-of-way

13:07maintenance governor, special

13:08government, special projects

13:09and city grants and the 4%

13:13overall increase in public

13:14special funds appear to signal

13:19Brad But there is some nuance

13:21to this because our enterprise

13:22funds primarily the sewer

13:23utility. And so basin,

13:26recycling fnds are able to

13:29raise rates to keep or to keep

13:31traffic with increasing costs

13:33where the other funds don't

13:34generate revenues. So that

13:37actually represent some cost

13:38pressures on some of the

13:39special funds. And so just

13:40want to make sure that you're

13:41aware of that. Ad so the

13:44difference in the from year to

13:45year. So this is from 26 to

13:482027. You can see slight

13:50increases across most of the

13:53special funds. But there are 2

13:54that are highlighted that are

13:56not one is general government

13:58special projects. This is

13:59one-time federal money. It's

14:00the arpa funds. And so

14:03obviously that is going to be

14:05a change because we've been

14:06quite a fish and expending

14:07that money, which you'll see

14:07later in the presentation. The

14:09other one is city grants. That

14:12one is deceptive because the

14:14city is very actively applies

14:16for grants and as a word any

14:17grants. But this depends on

14:18the timing when it actually

14:19comes into the city.

14:24currently, we say that our

14:25traffic operate for a

14:29transportation planning group

14:29it with an engineering has a 5

14:32for 18 regional solicitation

14:33grants which some of that

14:37money would be protected many

14:37us in his 2027 others in the

14:38further out years, we had the

14:42sycamore building to

14:43carbonation plan which has 3

14:43grants worth about 2 million

14:46dollars. We were just recently

14:49awarded and then and the

14:50contracts for sign. think with

14:50your counsel in the last week

14:51or 2 for the safe streets for

14:53all, which is 15.1 million.

14:57And we also have additional

14:5925 million worth of grants

14:59awarded and program for 2027.

15:03So all that those numbers will

15:06reflected in our other euro

15:07numbers or in 2027 numbers. So

15:10it's a little bit deceptive.

15:11So just know that tat we are

15:13very good actually up looking

15:14for outside sources and

15:15grants. And I've had many

15:17words. It's all depending on

15:17the timing when it comes into

15:18the city. Overall, this is the

15:24adopted public works. Budget

15:25summary for spending. You can

15:29see that overall the 2 that

15:32chains from 2026 has proposed

15:34to 2027 as 3.6 8% and some of

15:38these things. I do want to

15:39note oe item, which is

15:42recycling solid waste fund. So

15:42the 2.41 fund it was

15:44reorganized as Enterprise Fund

15:466.45? So those numbers are a

15:48little deceptive as well. So

15:49just want to make sure that

15:50you're aware of that. So

15:56what's the history of how we

15:56got here? We're not going to

15:58go through all this, but I do

15:59want to kind of highlight some

16:01of information related to the

16:032026 budget because it's a

16:04problem most relevant. What

16:05we're talking about today,

16:07there was a 1.2 million

16:09reduction in general That

16:10funding formula overlay a

16:14reduction and make temporary

16:14FTC's, which include assistant

16:17electrician and street

16:19services workers. There's

16:21definitely functional staff

16:22realignment for solid waste

16:23and recycling industry

16:25maintenance increases last

16:30year in storm and sanitary

16:31rates primarily to and C E s

16:31of the most part and council

16:32cuss. And we did also have an

16:35increase in right of way

16:36permit fees and asphalt plant

16:37face. One of the questions

16:41that you all asked was what

16:42were the updates on recent

16:44initiatives you will find in

16:46your packet. There's a very

16:48long Excel spreadsheet where

16:49we highlight. We have large

16:50number of things we did As you

16:53look a that, please reach

16:54out. If you have specific

16:56questions because it is a

16:56languorous. We chose to

16:59highlight 3. But if there are

17:01questions on the other ones by

17:01all means reach out to team,

17:04that's really want highlight

17:06was the comments that program

17:06which started in 2023 in 2025

17:11complete their first come in

17:12projects with Grand Avenue,

17:13Fairview to and Jackson Street

17:16and and 2026 to university and

17:19Earl. This has been a very,

17:20very important program for the

17:22city because with a known

17:24funding source, we're able to

17:26plan and execute in a better

17:27fashion. So this is very, very

17:28important for the department

17:29and to be able to look into

17:32the future and make sure we're

17:33building the right things at

17:34the right time. The

17:37Transportation Safety Action

17:38plan. This is a document that

17:39was originated and 2023. We're

17:43currently updating it as you

17:44all know too well, because you

17:46get the comments and questions

17:47and there are a lot of

17:48questions we get around

17:50traffic, traffic, safety and

17:51traffic operations, whether

17:51it's street but stop sign,

17:54traffic flow patterns, traffic

17:57calming measures. We when I

17:58talked a little bit earlier

17:59about the are safe streets for

18:01a grant that million dollars

18:05that related to our high

18:05injury network. So well, we

18:09don't have the plans in place.

18:10I think this is important for

18:11you all to see because you

18:13will be getting a briefing on

18:14state's states for all update.

18:17But it really connects to and

18:18these funds also another

18:21opportunity for us to use

18:23really high-quality planning

18:24and to make sure we're

18:25responsive to the needs of the

18:26city. And then the West, 7th

18:29for admission. As you know,

18:30there's been lots of fits and

18:30starts related to a 7th going

18:33back to when it was Riverview

18:35to looking at it as the West

18:377th concept recently, we've

18:39been able to reconvene with

18:40the project ended Ramsey

18:41County and Metro Transit. And

18:44we're also able to secure

18:4530 million in state funding

18:47for utility work, which is

18:48very critical in that

18:49corridor. I will continue to

18:50funds for that as well and to

18:52be able to keep moving and and

18:57there then that's been able to

18:58do knowing of early and some

19:00temporary fixes quarter. But

19:01we are really working with a

19:03concerted effort with all the

19:06different partner groups to

19:07advance this. So you'll hear

19:08more about this over time. But

19:09I thought this was an

19:09important one to highlight

19:12because it's a really critical

19:12partner in the city. All

19:18right. So overall, I don't

19:19mean to go through all the

19:21things on the slide, we had

19:24very distinct rules when we

19:25were talking about the 2027

19:27budget. The first is we wanted

19:29to lmit the impact of budget

19:31cuts to critical operations,

19:32material services and

19:33programs. We want to build in

19:35time cost and program

19:36efficiencies across the

19:37department and do this in

19:39partnership with different

19:40departments in the city and

19:41other agency partners. And we

19:44wanted to providers, preserve

19:46city cuts to jobs in materials

19:47are cuts to essential

19:48services. And that's something

19:50I want reiterate because we

19:52could have been serious enough

19:52that meant for projects. But

19:53if we don't have people to do

19:54the work, we still are at a

19:56deficit and what we can do in

19:57the city. There are several

20:01opportunities that we have

20:02taken advantage and some that

20:03were working implement. As you

20:06know, one of the things I did

20:07when I came in was restructure

20:09the department and and visions

20:10to create a new collaborative

20:12traffic safety right of way.

20:14Management color within the

20:16departments and on the senior

20:18leadership team. This helps

20:21press traffic safety and build

20:24efficiencies between traffic

20:24operations, engineering and

20:25right of way. I think we're

20:26already seeing the benefit of

20:27this realignment, both an a

20:31freeing up more work or more

20:33space with and the operations

20:34division so they can focus

20:35more on sewer and streets and

20:38making sure that everybody's

20:38aligned in the right ways. If

20:41you talked a little bit, think

20:42of some very important

20:43grandson of 5 for 18 regional

20:48solicitation grants. highlight

20:49here a little bit. And the

20:50other thing that we did is

20:52obviously good look at the

20:54Maersk areas as varied in

20:55this. I went on a separate

20:56little side venture and really

20:58looked at all of your

20:58priority. So I want all year

21:01websites. I went through

21:02newsletters, went through

21:02things that you're sharing

21:04with the with the community as

21:06well. So not only for a

21:09rebound in the priorities.

21:09making sure that aligns with

21:10all of the things you are

21:11saying. So would say the

21:14highlights are that we've

21:15focused on public safety

21:16accessible, responsible

21:19governments. Well, Kenny

21:19neighborhoods, a thriving

21:20economy and safe and resilient

21:21infrastructure. Overall, the

21:26budget for proposed budget for

21:282027. It's a little over

21:3245 million dollars. there are

21:33you can see how it is broken

21:36down we have it both ethically

21:37and in next page and Tyler

21:39from it because everyone

21:39receives information a little

21:41bit differently. And again,

21:44question was asked was the

21:45division and blue side for

21:46street bridge maintenance that

21:47was divided between winter and

21:49summer. So 4.8 million for

21:50Winter. 5.3 for summer. And

21:54then you can see us or the

21:56distribution and the many

21:57things actually that we do

21:58press public works activities.

22:06All right. So this side and

22:07this is one we talked a lot

22:08about and the end in the

22:12premade. And and I want which

22:13was very helpful. So thank you

22:15to the council members and was

22:15very helpful to have those

22:18conversations you can a couple

22:20things here public works. I

22:21was comes in slightly under

22:24budget which is a good thing.

22:26That means that we're working

22:27efficiently, working within

22:28our means did that. We need to

22:31do right now at 2026. Numbers

22:34still a little little as you

22:35can tell. It will be in

22:36alignment with the others by

22:37the end of the year where and

22:40construction season. So as

22:40bills are being paid right now

22:41as we speak, so those numbers

22:42will get an aignment. One of

22:45the questions was asked what

22:46happened between 2022 2023.

22:50during that time there was a

22:52gas leak that impacted the

22:53city and our ability assess

22:57properties. street maintenance

22:58expenses moved to the general

22:59fund or in a time as a result

22:59of the court decision. And it

23:03was a was a total of 14.1

23:04million dollars. And so that's

23:06why in 2022, the revised

23:07budget was a lower number than

23:07what you're seeing throughout

23:09the other numbers, which are

23:10fairly consistent over time.

23:14We are really keeping close

23:15eye on our budget as we move

23:16through the end of the year.

23:20One other thing spoke about

23:23just with under center trail

23:23as we are looking at other

23:25things that we should be

23:26spending money on this year to

23:30make sure maximizing the

23:30budget that we have remaining

23:32and therefore projects I want

23:34to highlight the first is the

23:36percentage trail. This is not

23:37a project that the city owns.

23:40There's regional trail that

23:41goes through that space.

23:41However, our bridge department

23:44after we had to close the

23:45tunnel for safety reasons has

23:48found a solution and

23:49engineering solution to able

23:50to deploy it to be able to get

23:51the trail reopened. And it's a

23:54scaffolding system that will

23:54be able to install. I don't

23:57have eact timing. I can tell

23:59you all the parts of been

24:00ordered. cost materials has

24:01been shared with parks.

24:04However, public works will

24:06taking tariff costs, but also

24:10labor. The watershed ADN law

24:11is another important one. This

24:15is a at place that a landslide

24:17a few years ago maintaining

24:18this while making sure it's up

24:18to a maintenance requirements

24:22is very, very important and

24:23budgeted, but also something

24:24spend money on this year wire

24:28theft. I know this is a big

24:29topic for all of you in a big

24:31concern. So we have an effort

24:34undergoing fall. We started 2

24:35weekends ago. I believe where

24:39opened up some overtime for

24:40additional time. Ivor tune

24:43about and fixes many street

24:43lights as possible. And you'll

24:46see that over the next few

24:48weeks. We'll just continue it.

24:50And so are at a point where

24:50we're comfortable within our

24:51budget limits. But we are

24:53trying to get as many fixture

24:55in the time as we can. as we

24:58all know, are getting shorter

25:00right now. And there is less

25:02copper theft in the winter. So

25:03we're trying to really make a

25:04concerted effort. The other

25:06one is the asphalt plants and

25:07had a burner went out and that

25:10is important because the

25:12asphalt plants and efficiency

25:13for the city. But it's also a

25:13revenue generator. So a

25:15marriage act and some funds

25:16towards that as well. We're

25:19watching things very carefully

25:20because we want to stay within

25:22again. But this is our history

25:24of staying within our budget

25:25numbers. And we want to

25:25continue to do All right. now

25:32on to the proposed budget of

25:34the General fund. dn't know

25:37that we have this light we

25:38have fallen 5 on topic areas

25:40for each of these is focused

25:43sense. The first one nation of

25:46the alley program, reduction

25:47of $300,000, a reduction in

25:49support for sidewalks, a

25:52$500,000. The one-time

25:54supports directed at revenue

25:56collections for the program.

25:57That's in a prized asset

25:58management system program. The

26:01shift to FTC's from the right

26:02away funds, which is fun to 30

26:06over to the general fund. This

26:09is the first 8, which is

26:11utility identification for

26:14residents and businesses and

26:17then also an increase of the

26:18debt and bill state, it

26:23allocates should to street

26:23maintenance of its a one-time

26:25shift. So you can shift a

26:27certain percentage of that

26:29money that comes and directed

26:30at construction to street

26:31maintenance and the we are

26:33going to do that for are

26:35intending to do that for this

26:37year. And however, we want it

26:39to be a one-time shift. And so

26:40that is the 600,000 and then

26:44updated county, maintenance

26:45agreement. The county

26:46maintenance agreement hasn't

26:46been updated since 1991. and

26:51there not only have questions,

26:52but what we're doing in that

26:53dynamic has changed. And so we

26:55have a team working in between

27:00County Public works and

27:02engineering departments and

27:03our operations department to

27:03make sure you have everything

27:05identified and are getting

27:07first for what we do. It's not

27:09something that we're looking

27:10as a revenue gender, but to

27:11make sure that we're getting

27:12reimbursed for what we

27:12actually do. All right. So the

27:17first one is the Ali

27:18improvement pilot proposed

27:22cut. So the alley improvements

27:25and funding was originally

27:26400,000 in 2024. In the

27:27general fund to reconstruct

27:30alleys. This is what is done

27:31in 2025 budget to $300,000

27:34prior to alleys, recessed 100%

27:35to the properties. Ali sons

27:39were expected to cover one

27:40least per year. There's a

27:42very, very list of Ali needs.

27:45There's more than 2600 alleys

27:47and about 330 miles of alleys.

27:51So really the funding at

27:54$400,000 was in an overall and

27:55acted more as the pilots. So

27:59far. We've completed 3

28:00projects in 2025. 2026, you

28:01can see them listed there. So

28:05for the 2027 proposes

28:07eliminating license for for

28:12improvement program at

28:13definitely would like to

28:14revisit this in the future.

28:16But given the budget cap, this

28:19was something that looking at

28:20for programs be most

28:21effective. This wasn't one we

28:25want to reemphasize. That

28:25doesn't mean they want

28:26anything in alleys and we do

28:29street names which contains a

28:30pothole patching grade for the

28:32unpaid However, it does become

28:34a lower priority when compared

28:37to some of the paddle fixing

28:38that we have our streets. But

28:41we do try to especially when

28:42we hear from you hear from

28:43constituents, we try to be

28:44responsive to those names. But

28:47it is it is a challenging

28:47thing. I think as we look into

28:512028 cycle is something we can

28:52look at. I there a different

28:52kind of solution for This one?

28:58I will just gloss over it

28:58because there was pass to have

28:59a little more history on the

29:00background of the program. And

29:03if you have any questions

29:05specifically on it, you we can

29:07address All right. So the

29:10sidewalk improvements. So

29:11through 2026, the sidewalk

29:12improvement program save 1.4,

29:151.4, 8, 5 million annually,

29:19175,000 of this is directed

29:20towards transfer spreading. So

29:23that's slipped to that. you

29:24come in and grind it level it.

29:26you reducing the safety

29:29hazard. The remainder is used

29:30for Cyber placement and ADA

29:33compliance for we're seeking

29:35cip funds for Marchand risk,

29:37right? Right. And it's a very

29:38effective way rather than

29:39putting the asphalt patches

29:40because it does actually level

29:43the surface. We Jeff, a plan

29:45that is complete and will be

29:46moving to all of you for

29:48consideration. Currently less

29:52than 7% of art at states are

29:53sidewalks are ADA compliant

29:55with a 60 year compliance

29:58horizon.

29:58>> Right now we're expected to

29:59raise 50% compliance rate

30:02funding. We do use some of

30:04that capital construction

30:05funding for this as well. When

30:06we go out and do lot of her

30:08layer, construction of a

30:09street.

30:11>> At those intersections we

30:11build ADA, compliance elements

30:15and are already out. There are

30:16already disrupting and That's

30:16really important to do those

30:18things. Then. So that is one

30:20part of it. That does address

30:22a piece of the sidewalk

30:22infrastructure system. But

30:23again, not all of it. So 2027,

30:27but is it just does a sidewalk

30:28budget by 500,002, 185,000. We

30:32are looking at other options

30:34we talked about this. I think

30:37briefly, what seeing is

30:37building in a sidewalk

30:40improvement district to be

30:41pursued for sustainable

30:42funding. There's a program the

30:43city of Rochester that we are

30:45looking at them again. We have

30:49our traffic planning group

30:50looking at areas throughout

30:50the city. That could be A

30:55clickable could be make sense

30:56for for trying to sidewalk

30:59improvement District City of

31:01Rochester did it as a pilot

31:02and then deployed across the

31:04entire city. our goal next

31:05year and this is why rep

31:06reflected in budget numbers

31:07yet because we don't know the

31:10timing and we don't the

31:11revenue. And so next year will

31:12be a pilot your to try and get

31:12something minute. And then and

31:19technology pace. I want to

31:19talk about this a little bit

31:22because there is the line item

31:23directed at the $300,000 to

31:25connect revenue. we've got 3

31:29Mary legs of the stool. And

31:30one is the Enterprise Asset

31:31Management System. This was

31:33primarily funded air pay

31:35program. not going and so We

31:41are continuing to on that. And

31:42I want to get to the next one

31:42Stand a little bit more.

31:46>> Lex, there are a couple

31:47missed. What's this one is the

31:48integration W FM 2 reduced

31:52manual entry of time since the

31:56cyber security incident public

31:56works has still new entry for

31:59time. Facts.

32:00>> And this is it's

32:00complicated because we're tied

32:03to work orders and different

32:04things. we just want or a

32:05first billing cycle. not doing

32:08that and it seems to be

32:08working enough and that and

32:13and then the other connecting

32:15the wax and and advise us that

32:18management system.

32:19>> to be able to do billing.

32:21>> Especially for traffic

32:24operations. We have not built

32:26this point in the year. So

32:27that is not reflected in a

32:29revenue. So what we're doing

32:31is working on a manual system

32:33to be able to first catch a

32:345 billion and then get into a

32:34regular billing. Kittens. And

32:37that is what that line item in

32:38the proposed budget is for is

32:41to whether it looking at fixes

32:44to the system to be able to

32:47work in the building. Efforts

32:48for for over trying to

32:48100 Billion. has to be caught

32:53up on the majority of the

32:53building. going by that worst

32:55case named by the end of one

32:57next year that was still

32:59reflect on the 2026 numbers

33:00because they were actually

33:01there. But we want to make

33:03sure that we're on track and

33:03fall behind there again.

33:06>> And the other one I want to

33:09mention is Polly of there's no

33:09issue with Polly, but we I'm

33:12sure some of you has had calls

33:14are conversations that

33:15residential parking permits.

33:19>> all of those expire at the

33:20end of August every year. And

33:20then people have to reapply

33:22and come in and pay for the

33:24year. This year. It was

33:26switched over to electronic or

33:28to the Polish system versus

33:28doing it manually. And what we

33:32found is it takes a lifetime

33:33to sign customers up for

33:35falling. We won't see this

33:37again next year. But an

33:39individual case basis

33:40sometimes is taking people 30

33:41to 40 minutes, decided for pie

33:44and then pay for their bills

33:45and why this is important. It

33:46is all the same people are

33:46doing this work. And so what

33:50I've asked them to prayer at a

33:52as is pick up a first at work

33:53on the parking permits. It's

33:57also asked for as any

33:58enforcement parking permits

33:59until that process that and

34:02then then focus on the billing

34:03pace.

34:06>> And director Barber, think

34:07this is a we're able to get

34:08through quite a bit here and

34:11just noticing the clock I

34:12think we can take a couple

34:14questions at the sides. All

34:16have a pause and just look at

34:18any of my council colleagues

34:19to see if there any questions

34:19on the fights that have been

34:20covered at this time.

34:23Councilmember Coleman.

34:23>> Thank you, chair and thank

34:24you, director for us. Their

34:26speeding through a lot of

34:26content. It's going talk it

34:30does help. At a couple

34:33questions about the sidewalk

34:34and prevent this as the

34:36proposed cut. If go back that

34:37side, Very much and what you

34:43say that you don't yet know.

34:44The timing for the anticipated

34:45revenue from the sidewalk

34:45improvement districts. Looking

34:50at the proposed cuts as they

34:51currently stand recognizing

34:52that the sidewalk improvement

34:53districts will be a pilot that

34:53we do know that island. And

34:56what you just talk a bit more

34:57about what you expect, the

35:00impact to the program would

35:01many fewer.

35:04>> Sidewalk repair does that

35:05translate

35:07>> to a it seems like a

35:11>> I would like to have all

35:12the answers for those

35:12questions. And we really are

35:16working on through the legal

35:17piece of that make sure we can

35:17do it. And that's why and I'm

35:21also looking are working with

35:23chat transportation planning

35:23group to kind of figure out

35:24where we could test this out,

35:28the her Rochester Experi were

35:30instead of assessing property

35:31owners at high levels.

35:34distribute things across the

35:35district and it lads to very

35:36incremental. But it's enough

35:39to help fund their that is

35:42when it's deployed across the

35:45city. So as w do this, not

35:48only will think that the legal

35:49analysis or ability to do it

35:50where we should highlight how

35:51we do it, the will to full

35:52fiscal analysis.

35:53>> So be able to

35:55>> talk about how we cn make.

35:59>> intention is to build self

36:02maintaining program.

36:03>> And that's where we went

36:03ahead. But I don't out on

36:04street that. council president

36:11makers well, thank you, Madam

36:14Chair, 2 questions. One just

36:15to follow up on his comments

36:16question. We know we can to

36:17nearly the amount of sidewalk

36:18work that we need to given the

36:19current budget. And this is

36:20about a 3rd of the cut to the

36:21budget. So I'm wondering

36:23>> why the department is

36:24choosing to propose this cat

36:24before we have the Rochester

36:28side, a completely district in

36:28place rather than waiting

36:30until we have that in place. I

36:31know we're cutting budgets and

36:32wondering why this was chosen

36:33to. My second question is, are

36:35we increasing our right of

36:38permit fees and our asphalt

36:39plant fees to cover the cost

36:40inflation this year. good

36:44questions as proposed only

36:47initially proposed that the

36:49sidewalk or the sidewalk

36:49production and was paired with

36:50the sidewalk improvement

36:52district.

36:53>> And we just because we

36:55don't have a full revenue

36:55numbers. It's not reflected in

36:56the budget yet. So we're in

36:58the proposed budget yet. so we

37:01are actively moving and want

37:03really be on that program

37:04early next year so that it's

37:06something that we can start

37:07capturing revenue and be

37:09moving on. as quickly as

37:11possible. other question was

37:16in a question increasing right

37:17of Yes, we're increasing right

37:20of way and I don't have those

37:21numbers right in front of me.

37:22think it a council months ago

37:24if I recall and I don't know

37:29actually for increasing as We

37:33don't know yet that we'll get

37:34that information.

37:36>> And I think kind of a

37:39>> things that are falling

37:40within the special fund slide

37:43can you just share a little

37:43bit about like? Decreases or

37:49increases just but I see the

37:49numbers. I see the

37:53suitability. I'm 126 million

37:55be a big number. But it's not

37:56like a decrease from last

37:57year. I guess I'm just looking

37:59at the slide and also

38:00breakdowns of the public works

38:02budget and recognizing just

38:06how important it is to

38:07continue understand not only

38:08just general fund expenditures

38:09for the special fund expansion

38:10expenditures and they're not

38:12necessarily, you know But as a

38:15temp laden and I think you

38:17guys have done a really good

38:17job of bringing foreign a lot

38:18of information. I think as we

38:21get to the special fund pieces

38:23to eye, I think I would like

38:24to see a little bit more of a

38:26breakdown. Are an

38:29understanding of like it's a

38:29traffic warehouse decrease

38:30increase from last year. What

38:32are the impacts embedded

38:33within the multiple millions

38:34things year? So when we're

38:37saying like all the asphalt

38:39plant like million dollars at

38:40the million dollar proposed

38:40budget for that, I don't know

38:43if that's an increase or

38:44decrease from last year. I

38:45don't know You know, that's a

38:45number that one. like just

38:47thinking about. These pieces

38:51like the impact behind them,

38:52their numbers that are there.

38:52But like what does that really

38:57trying to like? What is that

38:59relief and search? So like you

38:59look at this one, the like

39:02this sewer waste, recycling

39:02Sussex for the 5, 6, 40.

39:05>> Those high numbers are

39:05because those are the funds

39:06that had enterprise funds that

39:07can read, raise their fees. So

39:11there's kind of self-contained

39:13funds remaining. That's about

39:142% of all of it. So some of

39:17those are incremental

39:18increases or decreases. When

39:20you look at something like the

39:21traffic warehouse that

39:24inventory, it's so it's either

39:25purchasing materials ahead of

39:26time for construction projects

39:27or it is making sure we have

39:31materials and face 2 at 6 and

39:35street lights and things like

39:36that so that you can see where

39:38some of those costs slightly

39:39increased. A lot of that's

39:41inflationary pressures and we

39:43try to it. Obviously, it's

39:45it's in the best interest of

39:46the city to continue to

39:47purchase inventory so that we

39:48can be responsive in real

39:49time.

39:49>> As much as possible.

39:52>> Some of the other ones are

39:58next our Jessie. And they're

39:59just adjusting and for wages

40:03negotiate agreements, things

40:04like that. is what you see

40:05reflected in the numbers.

40:06There really is an increase

40:08anywhere chew operational.

40:12Budget for public works. It's

40:13more adjusting to other

40:18factors, whether it's contract

40:19or workplace benefit salaries

40:20and benefits much us.

40:27>> did counsel chemical to

40:28council vice president Thank

40:32you. Chair. I've 2 questions

40:34that are connected.

40:38>> One is around start of the

40:41department consistently under

40:42spending about 5%, which is

40:46really great. I guess, you

40:47know, part of that question

40:48is, is it that we are

40:51consistently under spending or

40:52is it that we're offsetting it

40:53with like new grants at the

40:53end of the year? But can you

40:56speak a little bit that trend?

40:57And then a follow-up question

40:58then around like?

41:01>> And then all the question.

41:02But it's probably a little of

41:04both and will also talk a

41:05little bit about T's.

41:08>> Because there as we get

41:10into that section, there are

41:11positions that remain open,

41:11but their positions that are.

41:15Within public works are

41:16evolving positions. And we

41:17need to keep some up. And so

41:18I'm sure some of that is

41:21reflected. I'm quite sure we

41:22always try to do our best to

41:22spend all of our funding. you

41:26know, it's always gonna

41:28defense just like the grand

41:29space that we talked about.

41:30Sometimes it's really

41:30dependent when things come

41:31into the city. especially when

41:35you look my car timing this

41:37year, there were delays. I

41:37don't know the details of this

41:38as much because the for me,

41:40you know, those delays and

41:41billion last year as well. So

41:42so when was those things

41:43reflected in the budget? We

41:46could certainly get you more

41:48information than what the

41:49remaining have like really has

41:49been for the last couple of

41:51years and happy to provide

41:52report at the end of this

41:54year.

41:54>> Yeah, I would be interested

41:55because it's just, you know,

41:58finite resources. It is

41:59interesting to see a

42:00department that's contest

42:01consistently and are spending

42:02so just having a better

42:03understanding as to

42:05>> What what that breakdown

42:08looks like. And especially as

42:08it pertains to staffing

42:09vacancies would be

42:10interesting.

42:11>> And part of the reason why

42:12I'm wondering is because been

42:15earlier on.

42:16>> For me, 15, maybe it's 14

42:17for you for the update on

42:19recent initiatives. One of the

42:20ones that's kind of struck me

42:21was around him, spurt Haitian

42:22and the safety action plan. So

42:23we don't have any.

42:25>> As for measurable

42:28improvements to for for that.

42:30>> For that line item or and

42:34there's no direct funding. And

42:36the reason I'm asking is

42:37because looks like we've had

42:38at least 8 pedestrians are

42:41bikers killed.

42:42>> In 2026, which is the most

42:44in 10 years. And so parting is

42:46wondering around, you know, is

42:47that one of the positions that

42:49he's taken or is there not a

42:50position, but in order for us

42:52to move transportation, safety

42:54forward and pedestrian and

42:55bike or safety forward Everett

42:58and recognizing that it looks

42:59like resources that we need

43:00need to be allocated are

43:02reallocated. So can you speak

43:04to that? Is there a position

43:05is currently open or do we not

43:06have a designated staff member

43:07for that work?

43:08>> I don't know that we have a

43:09position up and I think a lot

43:13of the funding for traffic

43:16operations and safety

43:17initiatives really comes out

43:17in the street maintenance fund

43:19to date. This is where safe

43:23streets for all grants, the

43:2615.1 million dollars really

43:27will make an actual true

43:28impacts will be able to make

43:29more effort towards efforts

43:34and directed and align it with

43:35the safety action plan as one

43:37of the reasons why I wanted to

43:39highlight this because again,

43:41similar comments that one, if

43:42you've got funding and a plan,

43:45you know where to actually hit

43:45me the most effective and it

43:48really ties to what is part of

43:50that. The information that

43:51went into sisters for all

43:55application was that we had

43:56identified where high injury

43:58network was. And and that is

44:01all throughout the city. And

44:01we know it's a problem and now

44:05we can atually plan come up

44:07with way to address the things

44:08that we see as the biggest

44:11concerns.

44:11>> just aquick follow-up. and

44:13I'm sorry, if you said

44:14earlier, but is it that

44:16through that grant we would

44:18have funding for the position

44:19or funding to implement plan?

44:24>> So there are positions are

44:24ready. I don't know if we're

44:25going to need additional

44:28positions to actually execute

44:31that. And he said the comments

44:32sent program. There are

44:33actually some engineering

44:35positions with an engineering

44:36department that are funded by

44:37the comments her because it

44:37took more time.

44:39>> And so that will be part of

44:40what we evaluate. thank

44:44goodness is we got awarded it

44:46the harnesses it was a week

44:47ago. So I don't have all the

44:48answers for the details, but

44:51we can definitely circle back

44:53review. I believe this safety

44:55update to the safety action

44:56plan comes back to you guys. I

44:58believe don't know if it's

45:00been as a briefing or

45:01approval, but you will that.

45:03So that might be at the time

45:05to talk in more detail about

45:06it. Our plans as we execute

45:09that.

45:10>> All right. I appreciate

45:11that. So just like to get

45:12really nitty-gritty of the

45:13question. And so no direct

45:14funding means like nothing

45:15that's coming out of the

45:15general fund but is coming out

45:18of the common sense. Okay. So

45:19there are positions that are

45:19available. Whether or not we

45:20add more positions.

45:21>> Is, you know, TBD. But

45:24there's no direct funding

45:25coming out of the general fund

45:25to fund this project. Correct.

45:27The way that we have a set

45:29that as that happens, the

45:30similar to the conversation w

45:30had about street lights and we

45:31have that special traffic.

45:33>> as it as hard as it can be.

45:37That money comes at a street

45:39to address traffic safety

45:40concerns. So when we get

45:41notified are had issues, they

45:43have a live track unless they

45:43got take a look at whatever

45:45issue. If there's a solution,

45:46they they implement a solution

45:49and that funding does come out

45:50of this treatment. That's fun.

45:50Thank you.

45:54>> Thank you, director I think

45:55it's really helpful and I am

45:57glad to hear that will be

45:58hearing an update soon around

46:01that safety fun. Just because

46:02it does. It comes know, even

46:03in community events in space

46:04is that we're in council. Vice

46:06president and I were at the

46:08Duluth in Case Center

46:08conversation on Monday and

46:10honestly, pblic works. Staff

46:12are probably could have been

46:13there and talking about to

46:13some of the things that came

46:16up around. We quickly went

46:19into street maintenance speedy

46:22did safety and pedestrian

46:24safety. So I know it's

46:25continues to a citywide

46:25priority and so would want and

46:28just a little bit more about

46:29what have been able to secure

46:29funding and what that plan

46:30looks like moving forward.

46:33>> And always feel free to

46:34reach out to their staff. If

46:35you want somebody at those

46:36events to help build some of

46:37the questions.

46:40>> Thank you. Director Member

46:41Council Vice thanks Johnson.

46:42Thank you, director partner

46:43for your in-depth

46:45presentation. I have a couple

46:47questions about the alley

46:47pilot program it. So it was

46:49the the post cut. Does that

46:52mean doesn't mean that we go

46:53back to what we did prior to

46:552024, do assess the city some

46:56properties. And if yes, how

46:59does public works determine

47:00which, Ali, these are the ones

47:01that get the reconstruction.

47:03>> We have not talked

47:06assessing properties too.

47:11reconstruct allies like that

47:11hasn't been a conversation

47:14yet. And I think, you know,

47:16perhaps that's a conversation.

47:17If this becomes part of the

47:18adopted budget, is this

47:19something we need to consider?

47:21We didn't really have not had

47:22that conversation yet. I

47:23think. We do need to find

47:29something that is more

47:29effective for a longer-term

47:31solution for this. And

47:31obviously with that 2600

47:34rallies and actually

47:35reconstruct for a year and of

47:37us want to take. That's on

47:41anything when we were looking

47:41at things. This is one that

47:42just. It makes sense because

47:44it wasn't as impactful, but

47:47doesn't mean that we should

47:50just ignore it for a longer

47:51term solution. So I can circle

47:52back with us. We have

47:54conversations of if doesn't

47:58make sense. I want to make

47:58sure that I have all the facts

48:00and know more about that and

48:00what they did in 24 and if

48:03that was impactful, thank that

48:06assists showing that something

48:06I know. I my head.

48:09>> Thank you. I just have a

48:09couple of quick follow-up.

48:11Some eye given the information

48:11I've heard from you enter

48:15staff about so the the pilot

48:16program, the impact could be

48:17able to make. I am supportive

48:19of the cut. just wanted to

48:22name that. There are still

48:22many constituents reach out to

48:23me about wanting their alleys

48:25to get we constructed. And so

48:27usually a with the

48:28reconstruction is that done by

48:31public works.

48:32>> Contractors contract to

48:35don't know if independent

48:35groups to that. Getting to

48:38know from the edge because I

48:42can do in the winter. I a but

48:47in properties take care, snow

48:48removal and things I just I

48:49don't know if there's anybody

48:50who does any of their but it

48:53doesn't like OK, and if the

48:53program does to cut it, it

48:55would be Billy important just

48:57to get communication from

48:58public works about what we

48:59share to our constituents.

49:02>> For all of the cuts, this

49:05is something we would have

49:06public facing information on

49:09because a you all know, we

49:10get lots of inquires and and

49:12questions and complaints and

49:13time. So want to make sure

49:14that we have proper answers

49:16for that. Ad that's what I

49:18think it important to

49:18highlight that our street

49:19maintenance teams will still

49:20be going out, especially if

49:24there's big issues in an

49:24alley. sometimes there and

49:26especially in an old street

49:28system. So and that will still

49:30be reactive to in Paris.

49:33Councilmember equipment.

49:40>> Today, course, the mass

49:40question, but Polly The last

49:44bullet point about

49:48>> progressing experience in

49:49last exhibition bills in order

49:50to generate revenue.

49:53>> you could say more about

49:54that. And also, I think just a

49:59general question about how the

49:59department is seeking about.

50:00Parking permits as possibility

50:05for revenue generation or if

50:06that's not to that you all

50:08have considered just

50:09recognizing that it not

50:10generated revenue for the

50:10city.

50:13>> It is not something we've

50:14talked about as a revenue

50:16generator it's something

50:16obviously that some areas to

50:17the city. Appreciate the

50:23manual piece of this actually

50:24an unmanned process that was

50:25happening year after year.

50:28>> Going forward, residents

50:29will be able to renew their

50:32residents. Parking permits to

50:33Polly Online this year. What I

50:37wanted to really emphasize

50:37taking our staff a lot of time

50:40and to be able to get people

50:43assist people through signing

50:45up for Polly. And that hurt is

50:46taking a long time. I expect

50:49this not to be the same

50:50discussion next year. is

50:53important that we expect

50:54collect that revenue because

50:56that goes into funter to 30,

50:56which is the right of way

50:59fund. again, it's not

51:03necessarily revenue generator,

51:04but it does help. When you

51:05look at the overall picture as

51:08how we work right away, over,

51:10they part of also lives in

51:11that fund.

51:17>> keep going. But thank you

51:18for taking. My could pass for

51:19some question There's a lot of

51:21questions It's complicated

51:27stuff.

51:27>> So what other proposed

51:29budget I relates has a very

51:29fun 7.32.

51:32>> And this is a shift of GIs

51:36analyst positions to OTC

51:38Department. It's budget

51:39neutral, shift.

51:43>> And really it's trying to

51:45there are just people that

51:50list.

51:50>> With OTC are ready and it's

51:52aligning 3 of the tech, the

51:53ones that are pw technology

51:56over into that group. There

51:59are other GIs specialist with

52:02an embedded with in the

52:03operations of of public works.

52:07What's our solar system

52:07engineer and maps of that. So

52:08there are some other positions

52:12because we are financially so

52:14Soprano origin very closely

52:15with ATC as to how this will

52:19work. Basically the intention

52:21of proposal as working as a

52:23overall city to centralize

52:25some functions. this is one

52:27and that's why as a revenue

52:29neutral. One and we will be

52:31working in very detailed with

52:32ATC to ensure because

52:36sometimes when public works

52:37needs information and GIs

52:38data, we need it right away.

52:39And there could be an issue.

52:41There could be a leak

52:41somewhere. That could be

52:42something that we have to

52:42respond real-time. And

52:47director was callous and I are

52:48stymied in Friday to start

52:49figuring out how this

52:50functionally work and and to

52:53make sure that public works

52:53continues to get what they

52:54need from the positions. I I.

53:03centralizing and for some

53:04functions rather than having

53:05its department like their own.

53:09Tech program to do te same

53:11thing and finding Enterprise

53:12Solutions. And this is just

53:13one of those steps in that

53:16direction. And so we'll see if

53:18we can get it all lined up.

53:19But that is one of the

53:20proposals for the year. All

53:24right. We did want to circle

53:27back the Council Budget

53:29Committee topics. We can

53:30probably go pretty quickly

53:31after these. There are a lot

53:31of words on these slides, but

53:32I'm gonna kind of hit the top

53:34level things. But we had keen

53:38interest in several things. I

53:38wanted make sure we hit on

53:39then as part of this.

53:43>> director Robert, before we

53:44get it rolling on really

53:46appreciate these next few

53:46slides. I'll go back to

53:47council president, a Kurd.

53:49Thank you, chair. I just I was

53:51tracking the side with the

53:53proposed changes to the

53:53general fund. You're going one

53:55of the time and talking more

53:56about them and then I didn't

53:57see a slide on the shifting.

53:58The 2 FD is from the right

54:00away fund. That fund is that

54:02say more about So that is

54:04gopher state, one cll. So

54:06those they live they had been

54:08the fund to 30.

54:10>> Which it should actually be

54:11a general fund funded.

54:15>> Item so under our right of

54:17way, or understatement and

54:18that side of things.

54:20>> We're under the right away.

54:31>> So under here. So this

54:33would fall under probably

54:34traffic operations or street

54:36street maintenance. it. When

54:40you have positions like tat

54:42with enterprise fund at it can

54:45have a negative impact on This

54:46is the more practical way to

54:47pay for this service.

54:48>> And have it in general

54:49fund.

54:52>> Says a quick follow-up.

54:54Madam Chair. Obviously when we

54:54move things from special fund

54:55to general fund are talking

54:56about a tax increase to cover

54:57that as opposed to using other

54:58tax revenues. I'm just.

55:01>> there is not other revenue

55:02to cover this. for state one

55:03cause probably not something

55:05you want people to pay for

55:08else. They might not actually

55:09reach out to hve utility

55:11identification services. And

55:15so it's a service. provides

55:16but it had been funded from a

55:17special fund before they had.

55:19But there is no revenue fund

55:22>> So that the special fun run

55:26don't run out, there is at

55:26there was no funding within

55:28the special fund to pay for

55:28the position. So they're

55:29moving up to the

55:32>> So when and Lou, what it so

55:33they can. The question becomes

55:34what in the special fund is

55:36being funded now that wasn't

55:37funded last That fund and it.

55:40>> It is one of those areas

55:43where it probably then and

55:44then the special fund to begin

55:46with and funded by the general

55:47fund. So we're just putting it

55:48in the right place. There was

55:51no funding for it.

55:55>> Okay. I think Mitchell get

55:56question for you is so there's

56:01a $482,000 shift from the ship

56:02itself and to the general

56:03fund. Special fund would have

56:06backfilled this in some way

56:07share a little bit about how

56:09you how what decision was made

56:12because the seems little bit

56:13more like another example

56:14where we're shifting funding

56:16too kind of comment. But like

56:17I don't like what? What?

56:21Instead, it's the engineering

56:22fund through 72 funding.

56:24That's $482,790.

56:26>> Jerry Jones, I think quick.

56:31Clarification. The gopher

56:32state, one compositions are

56:32coming out of fun to 30 the

56:33street maintenance fund.

56:35>> I believe the the change

56:38the engineering fund is moving

56:43the positions, the GIs

56:45positions to But related

56:46overstate one call, I believe

56:49that historically we did have

56:51revenue in that fund for those

56:52positions for that work. And

56:56then I think it was part of

56:59the list last treatments

56:59lawsuit that we had where we

57:00no longer received funding for

57:02those positions and they just

57:03never got moved to another

57:04place. So for the past few

57:06years, they have been being

57:06paid for out of the special

57:08fund with no revenue to

57:10support them. So they have

57:13been eating a hole in that

57:15special So now this is just

57:17serve, aligning it somewhere

57:17else we need to. We need a

57:18funding source for it. And the

57:20historic source for that is

57:24not does does not exist

57:25anymore in the special fund.

57:29>> OK? So there was $20220,000

57:33hole. That's no longer there

57:34now because their

57:38>> Council ridge on Sunday.

57:39Yes, I think that is that is

57:40the That's the attention.

57:41Yeah.

57:43>> OK, so how how did we how I

57:46guess how long had we funded

57:47those positions at its

57:50>> I don't know the history on

57:52that. So have to get back to

57:53you that. That history.

57:56>> thank you for the contest.

57:57Because get this. This is from

58:00a land before my time. So and

58:01stuff catching up on some of

58:05Okay. Thank council president,

58:07thank you. Just one more

58:08question and ask me, follow

58:09up. So Gopher state one call

58:10this a state program and is it

58:12funded by the state at all or

58:13is it funded by

58:18>> My understanding president

58:21is that it is a state program

58:21that fired to provide services

58:28for. So is that that is my

58:29understanding. Okay. Yeah, but

58:33I don't believe we get any

58:33money from the state court.

58:36Thank Can follow up with some

58:37additional information on the

58:38history of the program for

58:43Thank you. I would be great

58:52>> All right. And back to

58:54circle back on to some of the

58:55special topics that we

58:57covered. And when we first

59:00presented the I had

59:01information, the spending side

59:05and we went back and looked at

59:05the revenue. If use of it. And

59:09this is really kind of an

59:09important slide for public

59:10works. And general, so one of

59:17the things that talked a

59:17little bt about legal action

59:19that was taken in 2022. In the

59:21court case, that is if you

59:23look at the change and the

59:25budget and 2022 versus what

59:28you stand, 2025 and then the

59:29realize actuals in sand 2022,

59:33that was back when there were

59:34still some assessment

59:34available for that. for the

59:40mill and where has the same

59:41river at in 2025? Again, that

59:42puts pressure on the street

59:43maintenance fund and primarily

59:48the proposed 2027 budget

59:49restores a one-time reduction

59:50Simon overland program. in

59:55addition to the 1.2 million

59:57cut in Twenty-twenty 6, there

59:58was a one time had a cut of

59:59the 318,000. This restores

1:00:03that and also does not have an

1:00:05additional cut. 2 million over

1:00:06last proposed budget we

1:00:09deliver both residential

1:00:11arterial overlay programs

1:00:12discussed. And overall, the

1:00:15general fund knds cover. 75

1:00:17to 90% of the military like

1:00:17this. Questions that and other

1:00:22questions that are printed

1:00:23insight this.

1:00:27>> I am not going to be this

1:00:30slide because see that in the

1:00:32stand in her meeting. But I

1:00:32will just do the takeaway of

1:00:34investing and not relay is

1:00:34really important tool for us

1:00:35because it protects city

1:00:36assets.

1:00:37>> And prevents exponential

1:00:38future reconstruction costs.

1:00:41We talked a little women that

1:00:43last about this topic that the

1:00:44scale of the cost of non

1:00:45overlay versus full

1:00:48reconstruction. But we still

1:00:49are limited and our ability

1:00:52for this by commitment

1:00:55deficiencies that limit

1:00:57current operations. Basically,

1:00:58we do as much as we can with

1:01:00the materials projects and

1:01:00people that a half. All right.

1:01:07Onto a street light and where

1:01:07strategy right now, the 227

1:01:13budget does not iclude

1:01:14additional lghting budget

1:01:17again. And that money is

1:01:18observed by street maintenance

1:01:22we know what a priority this

1:01:23is for as evidenced by the

1:01:25750,000 for the Shepherd

1:01:27Program, which will installed

1:01:28in 2027. we talked a lot about

1:01:32this during our session to

1:01:34street lighted. One of the key

1:01:37things we're doing is working

1:01:39in little diligently. Think

1:01:40now is where moving through

1:01:43the budget, cycling to get all

1:01:45the different partners

1:01:45together from us Park. Saint

1:01:47Paul PD so that we have more

1:01:49of enterprise solution to some

1:01:52of this. One of those

1:01:53conversations is around. The

1:01:55Shepherd Road Project is okay.

1:01:56If we got install these

1:01:57lights, can we work with Saint

1:01:58Paul PD at the same time to

1:02:00deploy some anti-theft

1:02:02measures. So so all this

1:02:04investment doesn't isn't

1:02:05something that goes away. So

1:02:08we're really trying to do both

1:02:09and approach to this we'll

1:02:11have more information as we

1:02:12really start building that

1:02:13this program. looked like and

1:02:16we are looking potential

1:02:19opportunities for other

1:02:20legislative changes. The talks

1:02:23about sidewalk improvement

1:02:27districts. There's a potential

1:02:30opportunity for a street light

1:02:31and prove my district's of a

1:02:32similar vein that that any.

1:02:33But they've changed to do

1:02:35that. And, you know, right

1:02:36now, it's it's as much as that

1:02:38is. You know, we want to look

1:02:39at this they don't have

1:02:40exactly what a legislative

1:02:40change looks like. But also if

1:02:43there's other legislative

1:02:45opportunities because this

1:02:46isn't something that just

1:02:47affects the city of Saint Paul

1:02:50you making change in the

1:02:51church in Louisville to make

1:02:55it for wire theft was one

1:02:57step. But is there something

1:02:58more that we can work with the

1:02:59legislature to help invest

1:03:00with this? Because, ys, it

1:03:04has been affected profoundly

1:03:06that we're not the only ones

1:03:07in the state affected. So I

1:03:08think that that's is a broader

1:03:10conversation. And I want to

1:03:12have Or legislative

1:03:14priorities as they set those

1:03:15Don't have answers yet for

1:03:16you. But I think it's really

1:03:18important for us to effort

1:03:19here because

1:03:20>> as we talked about, this is

1:03:22a challenge that they've

1:03:22really struggle to overcome

1:03:23right now. So the takeaway

1:03:28here is there's no defending

1:03:29currently prep and proposed

1:03:30for state land where thats and

1:03:34>> we will continue to have

1:03:35the numbers I've lights and

1:03:37will continue to increase. As

1:03:38you know, we're working as

1:03:38hard as they can.

1:03:41>> And talk a little bit about

1:03:44>> Over time effort that we're

1:03:47doing the actually the first

1:03:48week and they were doing it

1:03:48had to move locations where

1:03:50they were because already

1:03:51evidence of fire threat.

1:03:53>> So this is it's not for

1:03:55them not doing something is,

1:03:56you know, we have to try be

1:03:57reactive in real time.

1:04:00>> We are also for these areas

1:04:02that were going out have been

1:04:04notifying sake of PDA so they

1:04:05can increase patrols around

1:04:06the areas where we're doing

1:04:06the overtime efforts as well.

1:04:11And But network I don't think

1:04:12we'll talk much about this

1:04:13one. But I did want to put

1:04:14this in here. We had a

1:04:16presentation on this. actually

1:04:19differ. You. They're going to

1:04:21learn more about upcoming

1:04:22proposals that would be

1:04:23contained within the climate

1:04:24proposal that will be coming

1:04:25in from Ofs. So once you have

1:04:28that presentation, if you have

1:04:29additional questions for us,

1:04:30please reach out. All right to

1:04:34use and vacancies. I and a

1:04:44Okay overall and you can see

1:04:45where our funding has stayed

1:04:46pretty a pretty steady.

1:04:50>> There it's been flat

1:04:51generally over the years that

1:04:53there have been some that have

1:04:54gone up. Those are primarily

1:04:55because we brought in the

1:04:56municipal garbage program 6.45

1:04:59and the concept program and

1:05:00fun 7.32. and there were some

1:05:02positions that were funded by

1:05:05air one in right of way. one

1:05:10of the GSA, the people have

1:05:13been on.

1:05:14>> was moved out previously to

1:05:15the general fund and DA has

1:05:20moved to that. We talked about

1:05:21moving into ATC from public

1:05:22works, but still fun public

1:05:23works. The unfilled positions

1:05:26and the general fund. So one

1:05:30thing that I was really

1:05:30excited learn about is going

1:05:33through this process. This

1:05:33analysis is public works.

1:05:34Retention rate is at 91.8, 4%,

1:05:38which I think is amazing. I

1:05:39think that is really, really a

1:05:40great thing. There's a

1:05:42voluntary turnover rate 8.5%

1:05:43over the last 12 months. And

1:05:48we've here vacancy reports for

1:05:52You'll see if general special

1:05:52fund. This is the General Fund

1:05:55one. What you see here are

1:05:58people who are highly

1:05:58specialized are seasonal. And

1:06:01so it is they are positions,

1:06:05especially sometimes highly

1:06:07specialized ones. Take a while

1:06:09fill. If you're looking for a

1:06:09civil engineer with a certain

1:06:10level of expertise and sewers,

1:06:13it might take a while to find

1:06:14the right person for that. And

1:06:17then some of the others are

1:06:17seasonal and those will turn

1:06:18over fairly often. Bt I think

1:06:23they're all critical positions

1:06:25we continue to work on working

1:06:28very closely with our H

1:06:29department to make sure we're

1:06:33posting have classifications,

1:06:35right have backed fire.

1:06:37correct. So that are tracking

1:06:40people to this. But Ithink

1:06:42that vacancy rate at the size

1:06:43of the department's us pretty

1:06:45standard. it's at for special

1:06:47funds. It is slightly higher.

1:06:52And again, we this due to

1:06:56both. You see several civil

1:06:59engineering programs

1:07:00positions. We continue search

1:07:01it for. Those will continue to

1:07:01recruit for those.

1:07:03>> But then there's also

1:07:04several other positions,

1:07:07especially if you look at

1:07:07sewer services workers, state

1:07:10services workers our solid

1:07:11waste and recycling service

1:07:13workers. Those are positions

1:07:15that we need to keep open

1:07:16almost all the time. There

1:07:19are.

1:07:20>> Reviving positions people

1:07:21come in. Maybe it's not for

1:07:22them or they come in and they

1:07:23go to another place in the

1:07:24city. I think it's really an

1:07:26important position to keep

1:07:28these positions. I think great

1:07:29entry jobs to get into the

1:07:31city. And many of might find

1:07:31that you belong somewhere

1:07:33else. And it's were working

1:07:35again with HR to find ways to

1:07:39Wolf. chief his positions

1:07:41open, but also make sure that

1:07:42there's good knowledge of

1:07:43France and early on. As we

1:07:45look at candidates, maybe

1:07:49Mineta, city or they need

1:07:50different kind of background

1:07:51checks service license

1:07:52requirements and things like

1:07:53that that we have those bill

1:07:54to him. It's well known to for

1:07:57people who are applying. So we

1:07:58are working actively to try

1:08:02improve kind of how we do this

1:08:02in a public facing.

1:08:06>> And thank you, Director

1:08:07Bert for that. see a question

1:08:10from chair jumps think

1:08:11students and Victor Barber, I

1:08:13know you mentioned you know,

1:08:15it's important to keep these

1:08:16positions open and sometimes

1:08:17their pathway for folks that

1:08:17want to come to the city and

1:08:20work here are some of the

1:08:21unfilled positions and maybe

1:08:25maybe not like engineering

1:08:27ones, but some of the

1:08:28administrative positions

1:08:29double sometimes get filled by

1:08:30folks from other departments

1:08:31within the city. Yes.

1:08:33>> I don't have those numbers

1:08:35of and it might be under a

1:08:36test report. I'm not sure. But

1:08:39that we can find out. But yes,

1:08:40sometimes it does. I think

1:08:41that happens. I think you see

1:08:45that big organizations like

1:08:47this that you might come in

1:08:48and then you find? I'm more

1:08:51interested in working for

1:08:52parks something like that. And

1:08:53so that's a big part of why

1:08:57it's important to keep some

1:08:58room for vacancies because

1:08:58they do turn over, you know, a

1:09:02sewer worker said it is not

1:09:02for everybody and and but then

1:09:06they might find that I want to

1:09:08move. There is a street

1:09:08maintenance. And I find that

1:09:09interesting because we do see

1:09:10some of as well. And that's

1:09:13part of why we need to focus

1:09:14that recruited how we do this

1:09:19working get messages out and

1:09:20to. Difference. Maybe

1:09:26educational groups, even and

1:09:27high schools have, you know,

1:09:28these these are good jobs and

1:09:31places to start your career.

1:09:32And some of it's really based

1:09:33on some of the messaging. I

1:09:36think the key thing and the

1:09:39real takeaway that I think

1:09:39I've myself in this entire

1:09:40thing is we've talked about

1:09:42it. Is

1:09:43>> We may positions and people

1:09:47in addition to materials and

1:09:49equipment to do projects.

1:09:52>> And so it's really a key

1:09:53part of this. And and because

1:09:56if we don't have that balance,

1:09:58we're probably one of the more

1:10:00balanced departments in

1:10:00general. If that don't have

1:10:01the actual percentages. And

1:10:02right here and say it was 53

1:10:05year. 56 1% of our says is a

1:10:08salary and benefits and and

1:10:09simply expenses for that in

1:10:13materials we need to maintain

1:10:14that balance to be able to

1:10:15effectively deliver projects.

1:10:17And especially when we have

1:10:18things like grants come in and

1:10:19we need to be able to adapt

1:10:20and make sure we have the

1:10:21right people, the right seats.

1:10:24>> And Director River, just a

1:10:25clarification on these 2

1:10:26slides because we've had

1:10:30departments give just like a

1:10:31full list, you know, vacancies

1:10:32and their intentions are proud

1:10:33of where they are in the

1:10:36process. I'd love to just make

1:10:39sure that as a follow-up, dust

1:10:43can fill positions, that there

1:10:43is these are all of that on

1:10:44full position. The sun I know

1:10:47you started in January, but we

1:10:49have had examples of of the

1:10:49departments where they have

1:10:52even given on positions that

1:10:54predated January 2026 that

1:10:55were still open. But maybe

1:10:56they were posted. And then now

1:10:57there's a plan to do that. And

1:10:59so just provide that

1:11:02opportunity, special agents

1:11:02with the special funds in the

1:11:03General fund as a follow-up

1:11:05for steam to just if this

1:11:08isn't. S these that this i

1:11:10all of the unfilled positions

1:11:11want, you know, the full

1:11:14picture of positions,

1:11:15including those that would

1:11:16predate January 2026. So

1:11:19anybody can say happen in the

1:11:21department.

1:11:23>> I believe this is the full

1:11:23count that we have. But I will

1:11:26say there is additional

1:11:26information that was provided

1:11:27in America next. talks about

1:11:30the vacancy reports, the

1:11:33darkness systems that were and

1:11:34more thick and when it came

1:11:35back their current status. So

1:11:39there's additional detail in

1:11:41the appendix, location. And

1:11:42then if you have additional

1:11:43after you look at again, I

1:11:44feel free reach out. OK?

1:11:46Sounds good. Thank yet.

1:11:55>> All right. And we're on

1:11:56special fines and enterprise

1:11:59funds.

1:12:00>> So what are the questions

1:12:02you asked for that? us to have

1:12:03an understanding of was

1:12:04happening with until projects.

1:12:08Happy to report very effective

1:12:09and efficient debt and

1:12:09spending the funding and about

1:12:135.4 million dollars came into

1:12:14public works. But we're at a

1:12:17point where everything will be

1:12:18expended by the end of 2026.

1:12:21>> And there was work directed

1:12:21at downtown investments. There

1:12:26was rejected at Enterprise

1:12:27Asset Management System. We

1:12:27talked a little bit about some

1:12:28of the challenges with that.

1:12:32So we fully expended the

1:12:34funds, but they are also

1:12:34working on some an assistance

1:12:35to integrate are billing

1:12:36processes for that new snow

1:12:39operations. And they have a

1:12:40couple slides that follow some

1:12:41of this as well. But will be

1:12:42fully extended by the end of

1:12:44the year. Same thing for the

1:12:46snow removal right up to

1:12:47station will be fully expended

1:12:50and you can see there the the

1:12:53roster, which is program that

1:12:53they were looking for us not

1:12:54to station ad did not work

1:12:57fully as we intended. That

1:13:00doesn't mean that the work

1:13:02will not be valuable

1:13:03underneath that system is a

1:13:05GIs platform. And what I asked

1:13:07staff is to look at not just

1:13:10snow vehicle reading, but we

1:13:10have a lot of vehicles. We

1:13:12wraps. We do for years and

1:13:13district Bateman Sunday do

1:13:16solid waste and recycling and

1:13:17to see if there's an uprise

1:13:18solution that can use that GIs

1:13:19base that was created. So the

1:13:22very system to work for

1:13:23multiple systems across the

1:13:25department, the same people

1:13:27are doing those jobs intense.

1:13:28The street sweepers. I say

1:13:29people streets. And so having

1:13:32consistent technology system

1:13:33would make a lot of sense. So.

1:13:36>> But we will extend that we

1:13:36have end of the year. The

1:13:40investments that we had for

1:13:42Millen overlay guests and

1:13:43traffic safety and Turkish air

1:13:44support were all ecstatic.

1:13:50>> So little bit of

1:13:52information because there were

1:13:53I mean, this is one of yours

1:13:54havoc, areas that your

1:13:55interests and that's where we

1:13:56are with new snow operations.

1:14:00did that here. Alternate side

1:14:01parking process, research and

1:14:04data gathering the 2025 2026

1:14:05was focused on residential

1:14:08streets we conducted the

1:14:12other. That operations are

1:14:14wrapping The pilot research

1:14:15work and the final report will

1:14:16to us by end of 2026.

1:14:20>> There have been many

1:14:21efforts in addition to working

1:14:23on alternate side, parking in

1:14:25store operations from other

1:14:26northern cities in the U.S.

1:14:30and Canada conducting

1:14:31operation Cross of Haitian

1:14:32work for snow operators. And

1:14:35then we're also and this part

1:14:37of this effort highlighted

1:14:39piloted a comprehensive sign

1:14:40and hit her in about a 3rd of

1:14:40the city. the greatest

1:14:45challenge is force operations

1:14:47is is making sure that we

1:14:49maintain access for emergency

1:14:52vehicles and sure had this of

1:14:52highlights operational i your

1:14:53districts are words and her

1:14:55conversations around that. So

1:14:58we did definitely hear some

1:15:00complaints on our chair

1:15:03collector streets and if that

1:15:04had and not treated with every

1:15:05snow event, not just snow

1:15:07emergencies. And I would say

1:15:09like residential streets

1:15:10typically get the most

1:15:11complaints. Unclear for ques.

1:15:14And but what we found is over

1:15:16all that, you know, well, some

1:15:17people. didn't like the

1:15:21ultimate Stricker. They liked

1:15:22having their strictly so so

1:15:26we'll continue to work on this

1:15:26and investigate this as we

1:15:27look at and for many whatever

1:15:28lines from Plan B, but that

1:15:32will be looking probably at

1:15:34alternate street program and

1:15:35still emergency model for

1:15:37Saint Paul. Taking all the

1:15:38knowledge that we have learned

1:15:39today, which I think is

1:15:40really, really critical. And

1:15:43because they have been some

1:15:44challenges with route

1:15:47optimization piece this, which

1:15:48is separate from now. But a

1:15:52close cousin. We are working

1:15:55with street payments. Teams

1:15:56really to come up with our own

1:15:58operational plan. This will be

1:15:58a bit annual, bt if a lot of

1:16:03institutional knowledge, both

1:16:03from these programs and we've

1:16:04learned over time. So that

1:16:05will be ready to respond to

1:16:06some patients.

1:16:13>> Chair. But think you have a

1:16:14quick question the migration.

1:16:17the and the G I S system gi S

1:16:24system that you mentioned only

1:16:25because like I had a chance to

1:16:27closely with the staff on

1:16:29this.

1:16:29>> As one of the pilots was in

1:16:33Ward line, actually chosen at

1:16:34a street that already was a

1:16:35one-sided street. So there was

1:16:38a lot of tension for that. But

1:16:42I want to as you can go a

1:16:43little deeper in terms of what

1:16:47are some of the challenges I

1:16:50guess now for as a millenial,

1:16:50I'm thinking of like how to

1:16:54integrate.

1:16:55>> You a system to where I

1:16:58know going Google maps and I

1:16:59need to go somewhere like.

1:17:01>> seems very simple for me to

1:17:01just put my phone there. Is i

1:17:05something that is like

1:17:07training our staff to use

1:17:10this?

1:17:10>> At mapping system, ours. It

1:17:14structure on around our

1:17:15equipment. Our vehicles don't

1:17:16have the necessary. I'm just

1:17:19trying and what is some of the

1:17:23challenges in terms of going

1:17:24full, much like fully watching

1:17:26this. System

1:17:29>> It's a fair question. So

1:17:32the was paired with a software

1:17:33system and that was the

1:17:34integration between the 2

1:17:35things that didn't pork. And

1:17:38so that's why like because we

1:17:40already have all the work that

1:17:41built the use. GIs maps that

1:17:42high 2 outs as we're looking

1:17:45for social McCain's that are

1:17:46ready to do all for all these

1:17:49different pieces. I don't

1:17:51disagree. But when Vols size

1:17:54Google Maps or whichever it at

1:17:55gets me here every day.

1:17:57>> And but it's having

1:18:01multiple things moving on the

1:18:02system. At the same time. So

1:18:05it's a combination of building

1:18:06automated vehicle. tears and

1:18:07things like that. So that

1:18:10we're following all the like

1:18:14as snow emergency routes, some

1:18:15of those different things and

1:18:16getting through all that

1:18:16different elements of it.

1:18:19That's the right question to

1:18:21ask. We don't have all the

1:18:21answers. Part of that will be

1:18:23this report that's coming out.

1:18:23And then whatever new

1:18:24technology solution that we

1:18:26come up and I again, like I

1:18:29want what I really want the

1:18:31department to focus on is

1:18:33already and because they said

1:18:37just imagine you have maps and

1:18:38then they show up. And if

1:18:39that's something else in the

1:18:40next vehicle like that doesn't

1:18:41make sense because technology,

1:18:43is that a point that we should

1:18:44able to connect all these

1:18:45things? And so that is sort of

1:18:47the enterprise solution were

1:18:48looking to. And we will live

1:18:51within our department and talk

1:18:52with people because we have

1:18:53some equipment that we could

1:18:54deploy from graphical

1:18:54interface for vehicles. But we

1:18:57want some consistency and wat

1:19:01everyone sees happy to follow

1:19:03that and have more detail

1:19:04conversations on that and what

1:19:05worked and what didn't work.

1:19:09That makes in it. Just a quick

1:19:11for that. Is that reflect in

1:19:12the budget in terms of kind

1:19:13seems like there's.

1:19:17>> There's there's a level

1:19:17expertise around how to

1:19:18integrate this data are at

1:19:20risk and how to integrate this

1:19:21technology. That's not per se,

1:19:25like our usual public works.

1:19:25You know, driver right. This

1:19:29is a more specialized like how

1:19:30do we integrate this

1:19:32technology across the board

1:19:33and make sure actually, you

1:19:37know, is that something that's

1:19:38that public works is

1:19:40contracting out that's

1:19:41reflected in the budget. I do

1:19:42recall and like average me

1:19:43when we had this proposal

1:19:47before us, there was a

1:19:48consultant the departments

1:19:49working with. I don't know

1:19:51that's phasing out every now

1:19:52and have like a permit like

1:19:55full-time staff that actually

1:19:55help, you know, within

1:19:56department ensuring the the

1:19:59success for this the concern

1:20:01will be phasing out. And but

1:20:03what we're doing and

1:20:06>> this will be a perfect

1:20:07answer because this is part of

1:20:08what I'm still learning it on

1:20:10us. to see is standing at more

1:20:13of a like think technology

1:20:15government support so that the

1:20:17software systems get that it

1:20:18and they get looked at in a

1:20:19different way. So we have to

1:20:19work really closely with them.

1:20:23But then also working with

1:20:24operation of people to make

1:20:25sure that whatever put it out,

1:20:26there is intuitive and works

1:20:27for what they need. So it's

1:20:29definitely a both and thank. I

1:20:30don't know that we need a

1:20:33different physician yet or if

1:20:34it can part of some buddies

1:20:35work over time. But that will

1:20:39come as we identify what

1:20:41technology solution would be,

1:20:43that that would be the one

1:20:44that ones that we're

1:20:44interested in looking at.

1:20:45Thank you for It's a great

1:20:46question.

1:20:52>> Continue under direct

1:20:53forever.

1:20:59>> so we are in the process

1:21:01and these will be kind. also

1:21:03back to you as a group we have

1:21:05not met with you individually

1:21:06about the sewer of a utility

1:21:07changes we have for solid

1:21:10waste and recycling think it

1:21:11had sessions with most. If not

1:21:12all of but these po's changes

1:21:15for next year and it's place

1:21:20to 457 that dollars a year or

1:21:23a $57 annual increase.

1:21:27>> And we will have these

1:21:28numbers present it

1:21:31>> And I come to are that have

1:21:32to do something about this

1:21:33today? So so it'll be coming

1:21:33to very son. But anyone who

1:21:37has individual Griffin to talk

1:21:40in more detail about it all

1:21:40means please reach out and and

1:21:41we'll make sure we have those

1:21:43conversations.

1:21:43>> Similar to what we did to

1:21:44the solid waste and recycling

1:21:45face. Council. President

1:21:50maker. Thank you, chair.

1:21:52probably take you up on the

1:21:52offer for another briefing

1:21:54that what is justification for

1:21:55a 9 and almost 10% to 10.3%

1:21:56increase.

1:22:03>> It's a common instead of as

1:22:05cars that passed on to us and

1:22:06also a place of what it's

1:22:09question for us to actually

1:22:09maintain the system. And so

1:22:13it's it's more complicated and

1:22:16think it would be better if we

1:22:18just provide you a summary

1:22:19memo, how we got to the

1:22:20numbers.

1:22:21>> It's been happening in real

1:22:22time till yesterday honestly.

1:22:31So we do have we do a sewer

1:22:32rate study and we have

1:22:33somebody does this analysis

1:22:35with us and has an expertise

1:22:36as our expert in this area.

1:22:38And so these are the numbers

1:22:40that we can to this stuff that

1:22:41analysis and we'll get that to

1:22:41you.

1:22:45>> So follow chairs. other

1:22:45situation where the Met

1:22:47Council is increasing charges

1:22:47for us because we have a lot

1:22:48of hills and rain. Water flows

1:22:51downhill.

1:22:53>> this erso a historic way. I

1:22:54don't have them in my notes

1:22:55right now. Last year there was

1:22:58a much bigger increase a

1:22:59councilor mental services.

1:23:00This area is lower and it

1:23:03sounds from what I understand

1:23:06they're doing some internal at

1:23:07at council on their mental

1:23:08services, too. To define how

1:23:13they do that. So that cities

1:23:14aren't saying like they did

1:23:14last year. And this year, it's

1:23:176, something. And it is part

1:23:22of the factor. Yes.

1:23:27>> Yeah. And I think just for

1:23:29colleagues awareness to Turner

1:23:30painting, you know, council as

1:23:31president raised a really

1:23:31valid point, As we're looking

1:23:34at our fees comparing it when

1:23:36it comes to water fees, we've

1:23:38seen increases there, but the

1:23:39presentation of that as well.

1:23:40So it's just the information

1:23:40provided around like when

1:23:43those that increased like when

1:23:44exactly are we looking at, you

1:23:48know, a space where we're not

1:23:48seeing double digit increase,

1:23:49I think was a really valid

1:23:50question. Just raise it again

1:23:53as we think about the

1:23:54follow-ups and just trying to

1:23:55understand we're going. I

1:23:57think there is an interest in

1:23:59the council didn't understand,

1:24:00Mike, just from some of these

1:24:00rate changes because we're

1:24:01going to be thinking about we

1:24:04aren't thinking aout

1:24:04inflation, but also thinking

1:24:05about the direct impact that

1:24:07that that has on households

1:24:08everything is going up.

1:24:11>> And so at the city, we just

1:24:12want to know and understand.

1:24:12Mike. Winds are going up, what

1:24:16is going up for? And then also

1:24:16just like what is the in the

1:24:19next couple years? I can can

1:24:20continue for minutes. What

1:24:22when is it when have when do

1:24:24we reach The space for folks

1:24:28in taxpayers and homeowners

1:24:31and the folks that are in the

1:24:32city that are funding our

1:24:34word. can see relief.

1:24:38>> Thank you, Madam vice

1:24:40president actually in some of

1:24:41our sessions talking about

1:24:41this trade spat. That question

1:24:45and this week and so on is one

1:24:46of the numbers like looking

1:24:48over at Perry just to see what

1:24:50the trends are. we have

1:24:51requested that we don't have

1:24:52it yet, but we will

1:24:58>> Solid waste and recycling.

1:25:01again, you all have had

1:25:03briefings, I believe on but

1:25:04you can see in general, there

1:25:06are increases. We think the

1:25:11fees are charged per unit and

1:25:12collected as part of Ramsey

1:25:13County property. Taxes covers

1:25:15parts station plan UK shun

1:25:18outrage. The primary change

1:25:20you'll see is the new units

1:25:21are the new for the proposed

1:25:25solid waste assessment fee for

1:25:265 to 11 units and 12 us

1:25:29tenants which had nt

1:25:31attorneys fees previously. So

1:25:32that is the primary change and

1:25:33driver for this. And then the

1:25:40rates you can see here, you

1:25:42can see the drivers and Reddit

1:25:44half, which is 2.5% and

1:25:45collection costs. That is by

1:25:47contract. And this is actually

1:25:49a positive news story because

1:25:50the contract was to find that

1:25:50that was the cap. So can't

1:25:53exceed that at this point. And

1:25:57then the 12% increase in

1:25:58dispose of classes. Ramsey

1:25:59County cast that does get

1:26:00passed to us and to our

1:26:02constituents. And so you can

1:26:04see where the changes and the

1:26:052027 for late hope that will

1:26:06be. Council President. thanks,

1:26:11Madam Chair. There seems to be

1:26:13a trend here where everything

1:26:14trickles down to us from every

1:26:15other level of government. I'm

1:26:17curious what justification

1:26:18Ramsey County has given for

1:26:19the 12% increase in disposal

1:26:21costs. Understand that has

1:26:22been going up every year for

1:26:23the last 6 years.

1:26:25>> With no end in sight. I'm

1:26:26curious if they have to

1:26:28justify that any way to your

1:26:29department or if they have to

1:26:30talk about that any way to

1:26:31this committee, just feels.

1:26:32Totally unjustifiable.

1:26:38>> I don't have a perfect

1:26:39answer for at. I'm sure Sarah

1:26:40can probably provide more

1:26:44context. But I think limited

1:26:44and it's something that we're

1:26:45kind of constrained by. So

1:26:46explanation. Is there any more

1:26:52context that the test can

1:26:55provide it just seems like you

1:26:56need to get answered this

1:26:58Edwards is we've got 9 minutes

1:26:59left. That's just shocking

1:27:02that

1:27:02>> they're quite a bit and

1:27:03that time. So I appreciate

1:27:06that yellow. Welcome us. a

1:27:07faster than that to some of

1:27:07fact that.

1:27:11>> And it stars even justify

1:27:13to assess cost of increasing

1:27:14the capacity Henry. Back

1:27:17Justin at that are in need to

1:27:18say, which is where required

1:27:19to bring our material. And

1:27:22they set their rates and it's

1:27:22approved by the Ramsey, much a

1:27:24county boards because a joint

1:27:24powers between the 2 counties.

1:27:27>> That would be the place

1:27:28that I think the city would

1:27:29have a voice too. Provide

1:27:32comment and feedback on those

1:27:33rates. We have been told they

1:27:34will go up again and 2028 long

1:27:38term. The plan is to drive

1:27:40those costs down after these

1:27:41officials. These are in place

1:27:42at the facility. I have not

1:27:44seen that and just b an

1:27:45initial discussions with them.

1:27:47So I think it would be a good

1:27:49question for the city council

1:27:50or the city to ask the county

1:27:52so we can protect our rates

1:27:54long-term or at least share

1:27:56the benefits with the

1:27:56residents of why we're

1:27:57increasing the costs.

1:28:00>> this while we have you,

1:28:01art, that is other monies

1:28:03other municipalities within

1:28:04those 2 counties then seen the

1:28:07consistent then increase that

1:28:08we have to have kind of

1:28:10driving factor about 12%

1:28:12increase. Ecobee also feeling

1:28:13it like isn't something that's

1:28:16>> just going to manage the

1:28:17emotions have of getting it

1:28:17and it's private municipal

1:28:19elections. It's different in

1:28:19other counties. And that's why

1:28:23we're asking compared to

1:28:24Minneapolis. But they're

1:28:25tipping fees are significantly

1:28:26lower than ours.

1:28:29>> And so that's that's a big

1:28:30portion of our bill. Is te

1:28:32disposal fee by Ramsey

1:28:33marching across the board?

1:28:33We're all required to bring

1:28:34our materials Barneys

1:28:38>> as a follow council

1:28:39President acre thanks, Madam

1:28:40Chair. And my understanding is

1:28:42from when we talked

1:28:43separately. Was that the

1:28:44reason that the tipping costs

1:28:45are lower is because Hennepin

1:28:46County decides to give

1:28:47discounts to the city's

1:28:50hollers within that some of

1:28:52the county, not because their

1:28:52costs are different, but they

1:28:53actually work with the city's

1:28:54to provide that discount.

1:28:57>> That's understanding. And

1:28:57they're also discussing tat

1:28:58at their city council level

1:28:59now to see if it's going to

1:28:59shift. But

1:29:04>> well, thank you, me.

1:29:06Appreciate it. precip out

1:29:07additional contacts. I think

1:29:09it's it seems to be a common

1:29:10space just where, know, I

1:29:14think the more that this that

1:29:15we continue to operate and to

1:29:15be transparent with our. as

1:29:20you go up, the government food

1:29:21chain of the impacts of some

1:29:22of that and how it trickles

1:29:23down to the average ticket

1:29:24taxpayer and Saint Paul. I

1:29:27think i's going to be really

1:29:28important moving forward as we

1:29:30maneuvered his conversations

1:29:31and continue, especially, you

1:29:31know, now what they're by. No

1:29:34budget. knowing that they

1:29:35intend to raise it again. I

1:29:37think it just being able to

1:29:38have a follow-up conversation

1:29:39proactively about this is what

1:29:42it actually is causing people,

1:29:44I think is, you know, we have

1:29:45check for a reason when it

1:29:46comes to property tax for

1:29:46those same reasons we've seen

1:29:49a lot of pressures coming from

1:29:52different angles and different

1:29:53forms of government. So I

1:29:54think the impact, though, of

1:29:56our Saint Paul residents, to

1:29:57be if not directly felt by the

1:30:00decision makers for sure made

1:30:02clear that it's there.

1:30:05>> Thank you, Madam Chair your

1:30:06comments. And thank you, sir,

1:30:07for being able to add more

1:30:08context because I appreciate

1:30:10that. I think the takeaway

1:30:11from the city cases that

1:30:12there's no change in billing

1:30:13admin fee from the city. So

1:30:16we're doing what we can with

1:30:17that. But there are external

1:30:21pressures. But both for the

1:30:21sewer and solid waste,

1:30:22recycling fees that will Focus

1:30:29communication efforts so

1:30:29people understand know what

1:30:31that where the interest coming

1:30:31from, why it's happening. So

1:30:33think that's something that

1:30:36it's really important to me as

1:30:37I stepped into those roles,

1:30:39make sure that we're its river

1:30:40at Stefan us, too, both with

1:30:42the impacts are and why as was

1:30:45to me, it's always the why I

1:30:46want to do so. I know other

1:30:49citizens would want to France.

1:30:55>> this is just that a good

1:30:58deflection. really similar to

1:30:59what we talked about, but that

1:30:59there are differences between

1:31:00the list, households and

1:31:05average factoring that as well

1:31:07so that it is a range of how

1:31:08it impacts people. But it also

1:31:09is impactful of of people

1:31:12managing place. And then

1:31:18finally you can save recycling

1:31:20and trash. for 6.45, as our

1:31:22final there, some additional

1:31:23fte srving added.

1:31:26>> For customer working more

1:31:28customer face and friendly

1:31:29Bill insisted additional solid

1:31:33waste workers and a public

1:31:35information officer have

1:31:35dedicated staff are

1:31:38communicating and we all get

1:31:40lots communications and

1:31:42questions and we monitor a lot

1:31:42of that and our department to

1:31:44send There's a large volume

1:31:47and associated solid waste and

1:31:50recycling. We're really good

1:31:51at responding very fast. But

1:31:52we want to make sure we have a

1:31:54dedicated resource of those

1:31:55things get addressed quickly

1:31:55as possible. 5 minutes left.

1:32:03Questions, additional

1:32:05questions. Yes, I look forward

1:32:06to standing right at 11, 30

1:32:09promises. So about a

1:32:10Councilmember Coleman and

1:32:10we'll back to council

1:32:11president

1:32:13>> If we can get to

1:32:14councilmember boy, we will,

1:32:15but we will end at 11, 30

1:32:16tells Merkel in.

1:32:19>> Thank you. And when it's

1:32:19basically just a list of

1:32:22follow-up from way back to the

1:32:22hacking permit, discussion, if

1:32:25you really helpful as possible

1:32:28to we're currently at to to

1:32:3030. where that those funds

1:32:35What we're currently it to

1:32:36that revenue to be for the

1:32:38next year the parking permits

1:32:41that covers and assuming this

1:32:42is much harder to quantify.

1:32:43But if we have any ability to

1:32:45estimate what the costs of

1:32:46foreseen and maintaining and

1:32:48supporting those parking from

1:32:49it sold, says that would all

1:32:49be really helpful.

1:32:53>> Thank you for your

1:32:53question. Cast and yes, we can

1:32:55do that and us one of the

1:32:58things that when we were

1:32:58talking about every state, one

1:32:59kind of living into 30, isn't

1:33:01residential parking is one of

1:33:02those as well that we're going

1:33:04to look at is that in the

1:33:06right place. And figure that

1:33:07out to make sure has Obviously

1:33:11there's fees associated with

1:33:12it, but I don't lke exactly

1:33:15is kind of that level of

1:33:15detail. I'm not sure that's

1:33:16the right place for it within

1:33:17the budget, which was probably

1:33:18get to your question.

1:33:23>> Council president maker

1:33:24yield councilmember glee

1:33:25Tiffany, council vote.

1:33:30>> Johnson Eiseman said we

1:33:30will take you up on the

1:33:32follow-up out the following

1:33:33even well. question

1:33:37particularly around, more of

1:33:38focus area that been hearing

1:33:40from constituents around the

1:33:42management. And I kind of the

1:33:44fiscal responsibility that the

1:33:44city has been taking on.

1:33:47>> I'm 100% of the copper

1:33:48theft in the street lighting.

1:33:52And as know in your role as a

1:33:54director, do you see this, you

1:33:55know, in the future around,

1:33:56like expanding the

1:33:57responsibility, we're getting

1:33:58support from the county, the

1:34:01state to see we are just

1:34:02taking the brunt of late

1:34:05replacement, the staffing for

1:34:06it. This assessment report. do

1:34:10we understanding that you're

1:34:11within the constraints of this

1:34:12proposed budget right now, but

1:34:14in the future would definitely

1:34:15want to see. Well, that cost

1:34:21the divided amongst

1:34:21municipalities. Now just

1:34:22wanted hear.

1:34:25>> It's short answer is This

1:34:29often regardless of who owner

1:34:32of the spaces are replacing

1:34:32street life and doing a lot of

1:34:34the response. It's both

1:34:37working across departments for

1:34:38that sort of approach within

1:34:40the city. But we do have to

1:34:42work with partner agencies

1:34:43Mendota the county and again,

1:34:47I also want to have brought it

1:34:48up with our government

1:34:49relations for Sen. And it

1:34:52yesterday that I think this is

1:34:54a priority because I think

1:34:55it's a perfect state where the

1:34:59capital city and their lights

1:35:00around the Capitol that are

1:35:00out and things like that where

1:35:05the children o the

1:35:06responsibility can be a bit

1:35:07much. And I think it we should

1:35:11be looking at other resources

1:35:11with it definitely looked for

1:35:14as we have those conversations

1:35:16and come up with things to

1:35:17engage with all of you to help

1:35:18with some of the conversations

1:35:19because I agree Wonderful.

1:35:25>> I really appreciate you all

1:35:27taking the time. I know that

1:35:28there is follow-up. Still get

1:35:30call from commode with just

1:35:31kind of a list of any

1:35:32follow-up questions that maybe

1:35:33were asked year even were not

1:35:35so we'll follow up with you

1:35:36all just but some of things

1:35:37that we'd like to har more

1:35:39about. And then especially

1:35:40folks have had a chance. And

1:35:40when you get to reviewing the

1:35:44appendix, one Office things

1:35:44that were attached. So thank

1:35:47you so much. And with that, we

1:35:48are adjourned.