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City Council <br />Meeting Minutes <br />October 13, 2015 <br />Page 7 of 18 <br />balances in those funds. Staff has identified projects critical for upkeep of the water and <br />sewer system and over the last year an effort has been made to phase in the rate <br />increases as slowly as possible. The fund reserves are just above the fund balances <br />needed to meet the obligation for the loan repayment. He noted a chart was included in <br />the packet showing, based on the current estimates and projections, what would have <br />to be added to the water and sewer funds each year to replace downtown waterlines <br />before ability to pave those streets; break even in 2016, 1.8 to 1.9 million dollars in <br />2017, $2.4 million in 2018. This would result in rate increases. Staff needs to know <br />which is Council priority — keeping rates low or paving the streets in the timeframe <br />proposed. <br />Mayor Muckle didn't think anyone was excited about raising rates, but wanted to fix <br />water lines in the downtown area and move forward with paving those streets. <br />Council member Loo questioned the CIP for the Sid Copeland water treatment pump <br />station improvements, a $2.4 million expenditure in 2016. She asked if the Water <br />Committee took a good look at this. The CIP sheet mentions the interconnect with <br />Superior, which she thought was a good idea, but thought the consensus was not to go <br />forward without a definite monetary commitment from Superior. <br />Public Works Director Kowar noted this project is upgrading or replacing the existing <br />pump station at the north water treatment plant and is not related to the interconnect. <br />Council member Loo asked why the CIP item mentioned the interconnect with Superior. <br />Public Works Director Kowar noted staff aims to take care of existing facilities before <br />expansion. The second part is having an insurance policy by establishing the <br />interconnect with the Town of Superior for future peak demand. <br />Council member Stolzmann suggested updating the language on the CIP sheet. <br />Council member Loo agreed, noting the sheet clearly refers to the interconnect with the <br />Town of Superior. <br />Mayor Muckle agreed the update to the pump station shouldn't have been lumped <br />together with the interconnect. <br />Mayor Muckle asked staff to come back with budget cut suggestions in excess of one <br />million dollars to address the paving. <br />Mayor Muckle suggested talking about the Street Faire and asked for a staff <br />presentation. <br />Street Faire <br />