2014-05-12 Study - Public Works & Parks 2015 budget

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Mayor Welsch stated that her hope is that the City can implement a design for the Recycle Center similar to the one in Kirkwood, because depending on the type of material being discarded, the City’s bin can be difficult to access. Mr. Wilson stated that based on his understanding the intent is to build a platform for residents to stand on. Mayor Welsch stated that Kirkwood had reduced the height of their wall rather than installing a platform so people don’t have to step up to the container with items in hand. LEAF COLLECTION The budget for leaf collection has increased by 10 percent.  Salaries increases 75 percent due to transfer if labor hours  Hardware and hand tools increase 400 percent due to need for additional equipment. Mr. Sharpe stated that his concern with leaf collection is that it starts too early and ends too late. He said the explanation that he has always been given is that the City has to stop leaf collection in order to refit the trucks for snow removal. Mr. Wilson stated that they have been doing this for years based on experience, but it can be hit and miss dependent upon the weather. He acknowledged that this year was a disaster because the snow came early and therefore leaf collection was not completed until February. Ms. Carr asked Mr. Wilson if the budgeted amount for contractual services includes the companies that are hired to pick up leaves. Mr. Wilson stated that it was included. He stated that a new bid has already been sent out to ascertain an outside contractor to do this work, if necessary. SOLID WASTE FUND GRANTS Mr. Wilson stated that the line item for budget expenditures illustrates that over the years the number of grants has decreased as it becomes increasingly harder to obtain these types of awards. In fact, the City actually lost a grant this year that it has typically been able to receive in the past. Mr. Wilson stated that their goal is to acquire as many grants as possible and their project manager is constantly searching for opportunities. SEWER LATERAL REPAIR FUND The budget for this fund has decreased by 8 percent. Mr. Wilson stated that this decrease is based on the number of repairs that have been performed, although it seems as though the frequency of repairs, as well as the expense of making the repairs is beginning to escalate. He stated that this will continue to be a major problem in the future and as a result the City is preparing to submit a new bid to ensure that they are getting competitive rates. Mr. Sharpe asked if the residential assessment was enough to cover the expense of making these repairs. Mr. Wilson stated that his belief is that there is still money in the sewer lateral reserve, but while the City is not in the hole today, it may become a problem in the future. He stated that the City of Maryland Heights found that they were running short and recently raised their rate to fifty dollars, which is the current rate for University City. PUBLIC WORKS GRANTS Mr. Wilson covered the details of the amount of funding received from grants from FY-2012 through 2014. He stated that the Miller Park Trail Grant for $75,000 which should be added to the funding for 2014. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM