Minnetrista City Council — Transcript
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
Sewer Fund Budget Discussion
Recycling Fund Budget Discussion
Closed Session for Labor Negotiations Strategy
Votes (2)
Sewer Fund Budget Discussion
The primary discussion revolved around the sewer fund's financial health. A significant positive was a nearly $50,000 decrease in the Met Council annual charge, attributed to successful INI projects and pump efficiency. Staff recommended increasing the sewer connection fee and sewer area charge from $2600 to $3000 each to generate additional revenue for upcoming capital projects, like lift station upgrades. The quarterly sewer fee of $128 was proposed to remain unchanged. Council members inquired about the minimal outstanding debt (approx. $80k annually paid off by 2032) and engineering fee increases related to SCA updates, which were clarified to be cost-saving due to in-house programming. Staff expressed confidence in the fund's cash flow, projecting a stable $600,000 cash fund balance. No major unforeseen expenses were anticipated for new developments as they often include their own lift stations.
Recycling Fund Budget Discussion
The discussion centered on the recycling fund's need to cover contract costs. Staff recommended increasing the quarterly recycling charge from $18 to $19, equating to a $1 quarterly or 33 cents monthly increase, to break even with the rising Waste Management contract costs. The contract is locked in through 2030. The fund balance has leveled off after a period of spending down reserves. Council members raised questions about potential Hennepin County grant funding, which historically provides $15,000-$20,000 but may decrease due to a shift towards organics-based programs. Concerns were also voiced about the actual effectiveness of recycling by residents and whether all households participate in the program.
Notable Quotes (8)
Met Council annual charge, it's sort of I think it pinalled up about that much last year increase and now it's coming back down. So, that's obviously the biggest positive um or, you know, as far as to be able to see that close to $50,000 um, decrease to what they're going to be charging it each year.
it is recommended I guess to bump up the the sewer connection fee in the area charge. Right now those are at 2600 each and to bump those up to 3,000 I guess was a suggestion I guess um council has feedback on on that.
not really cuz I mean any new developments coming in, most of them will have their own lift, their new lift station themselves. So, um, the only thing, you know, like I say, we will have, you know, to look at, you know, if it's going to have to be upsized for future development, which, um, you know, but the whole that not going to be that big of a difference.
So, we're okay um increasing the whack charges and the uh connection fee to 3,000 each. Yeah. The sewer area charge and the sewer connection charge. Yeah. And then um maintaining the 128.
this basically would just be what's recommended here is to bump just the the charge from $18 a quarter to 19. The contract's going up slightly, so it' be basically in correlation with that.
They've so far been pretty consistent about them. I know they keep talking about that it's going to be more organics based and it could be dropping. Um but so far they've been pretty good about you know giving us between 15 and $20,000 or so recently for the for the grant or whatever.
Brian, are they really recycling? Someone told me they don't really recycle it cuz I know I see my neighbors they drop things that should not go in recycling in the recycling. I can see the thing open and it's full of you know
So you're okay with a $1 increase? Yeah. Mhm. So far. Okay. All right.
Ordinances & Resolutions (6)
Capital Improvement Plan projects, specifically mentioned for Gary's (Peters') scheduled public works projects in the sewer fund.
The specific statute cited for the legal basis of holding a closed session for labor negotiation strategy.
A summary document provided to the council members by staff regarding budget discussions.
Supporting financial documents provided for budget discussions.
A collection of documents provided to council members, with specific page references (e.g., page 5, 6, 10, 11) for budget details.
A document referenced for details on the total outstanding sewer fund debt.