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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />DECEMBER 17, 1991 <br />problem was with the cost of mandates made of the <br />Department in the areas of safety. <br />Blesener pointed out that these mandatory requirements <br />are part of the reason that the Department should not <br />go on being independent from the City. If the <br />Department expects the City to fund these items, the <br />City needs to stay on top of the situation and be able <br />to look and plan ahead. <br />Hanson stated that he appreciated the presentation put <br />on by the Fire Department, and hoped that the <br />Department did not look on the Council as enemies. <br />Hanson stated that everyone is on the same team. <br />Hanson felt that what stood out from the discussion is <br />the mandates being made on the Fire Department by OSHA <br />and NFPA. Hanson also stated that there is a saying <br />which says that tradition is the greatest hinderence to <br />progress. Hanson suggested that perhaps it is time to <br />start looking at and doing things differently. <br />Tonight's discussion is good. Hanson agreed that the <br />City has never cut the Fire Department's budget before <br />that he can remember, and indicated that it is tough to <br />say no. Hanson felt there was one enemy here and it is <br />force. <br />The City Administrator reported that one of the things <br />that came out of the City's goal-setting workshop was <br />the issue of communications. The Administrator also <br />pointed out that while at the 1989 goal-setting <br />workshop the City's #1 priority was park development, <br />the 1991 #1 priority was the City's financial situation <br />and the use of charitable gambling money. <br />The City Administrator pointed out the financial <br />constraints on the City by the State's actions in <br />cutting local government aids and limiting tax levies. <br />The Administrator reported that members of the <br />Legislature are hearing that cities and counties are <br />not accountable to the public. The Administrator <br />disagreed, but pointed out that the Legislature is <br />changing the situation and forcing people to re-examine <br />how things are funded. <br />The Administrator reported that the City has always <br />tried to run lean, and because of this is being forced <br />to make tough decisions faster than other cities. <br />Property taxes in Little Canada are high, although the <br />City receives less than 15% of a tax dollar. The <br />Administrator reported that any complaints he receives <br />always result the comment about the high property taxes <br />that are being paid. <br />Page 10 <br />