Continued: Less TLC for St. Paul streets as budget gets attention

Maintenance crews will visit less often and crud will hang around a little longer on the streets of St. Paul, now that the city's Public Works Department is determined to stay within its budget.

After a shortfall in the fund used to maintain streets and plow snow last year, the city is looking at cutting back on street-sweeping and seal-coating, among other actions, to save about $1.3 million and ensure the $27 million budget this year is met. Putting money back into cash reserves is another goal.

Public Works Director Bruce Beese outlined his plan for the department to "live within our means" to City Council members Tuesday. He will make a presentation on the budget changes tonight during the City Council public hearings.

The public works right-of-way fund was overspent by $3.5 million in 2007. The total shortfall rose to $4.2 million because of a drop in revenues. The news came late last year and annoyed several council members, who approved the use of reserves to cover the gap and called for Beese to come up with a solution.

He cited bad forecasting, rising oil prices and unanticipated costs, such as the settlement of workers' compensation claims and the cleanup of a site where the city used to dump street sweepings.

"Ultimately, I take responsibility," Beese told council members. He said his staff will monitor the budget more closely this year.

Council Member Pat Harris said the budgeting system really needs to be fixed because he doesn't like errors forcing cuts to services that are important to people.

"How do we prevent this in the future?" asked Council President Kathy Lantry.

The suggestions:

• Seal-coating of streets every 10 years instead of every eight years is expected to save about $450,000.

• Administrative spending cuts are expected to save about $100,000.

• Eliminating the phone system that alerts residents of snow emergencies is expected to save $50,000.

• Sweeping of arterial streets 10 times a year instead of 16 is expected to save $300,000.

• Putting off the purchase of new equipment is expected to save about $430,000.

Council members chose to avoid reducing the frequency of downtown street sweeping, eliminating the alley repaving program and cutting back on lawn mowing.

New revenues of about $535,000, as well as a $191,000 savings from the service reductions, means only about $1.4 million in reserves would be used.

There has been some buzz in City Hall lately because Mayor Chris Coleman approved a $5,000 raise for Beese after a recent annual review, putting the director's salary at $115,000. "There was a problem, and the problem's being solved," said Bob Hume, the mayor's spokesman. "But the problem doesn't capture the tenure of Bruce's career here."

Hume said Beese has come up with some innovative programs, especially in reducing the amount of energy that the department uses.

While Beese's plan addresses 2008, city officials are already looking at how to tackle a projected $13.1 million budget gap for 2009.

Beese said he's committed to fixing his department's problems and keeping in better communication with the City Council.

"I feel good about it," he said after the meeting.

Chris Havens • 651-298-1542

Recent www.startribune.com stories

Pakistan launches fresh offensive against militants blamed for bloody northwestern bombings - May 6, 2008

Pakistan launches fresh offensive against militants blamed for bloody northwestern bombings - Pakistani troops killed 18 militants in a fresh offensive Tuesday against insurgents blamed for a wave of recent bombings in the main northwestern city of Peshawar. More