01-14-98 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL JANUARY 14, 1998 DeLonais pointed out that at one time the City supported the Canadian Days Committee. This organization has now become self-supporting. He believed that in time the Little Canada Historical Society will also become self-supporting. With that said, DeLonais presented the City with $10,000 donation toward the Historical Society Addition. Mayor Fahey thanked Mr. DeLonais on behalf of the residents, City staff, and the City Council for his support and ~enerosity. Fahey pointed out that the Historical Society has begun fund-raising efforts for the addition, and commented that Mr. DeLonais' donation will help to make that project a reality. DeLonais reported that there are a lot of Little Canada citizens who support the Historical Society addition project. JAN WEISSNER, Jan Weissner, Ramsey County Commissioner, appeared before the RAMSEY Council to provide an update on some of the things that the County has COUNTY been working on. Weissner also thanked the City for allowing the County COMMISSIONER the use of the Little Canada City Center for various County meetings. Mayor Fahey raised the issue of the County's providing senior citizen discounts at its golf courses. Fahey felt that such discounts should be provided on a need basis, rather than based solely on age. Fahey felt this practice discriminated against younger people who, perhaps, could not afford green fees as well. Weissner reported that the County will be conducting another public hearing on this issue as well as the use of revenue ~enerated from green fees to support other programs. Fahey suggested that the use of all revenues from golf courses for other programs would be bad public policy, but suggested that increasing the share of golf course revenue for other projects might be acceptable. Weissner reported that as part of the 1998 budget process, the County decreased its budget from that of 1997, although due to class rate changes and valuation increases the levy increased by 1,9%. While the County is trying to hold the line on County spending, the big~est increases in the bud~et are in the areas of public safety. This includes Sheriffls costs, juvenile and adult detention, the court system, and the corrections system. These pro~rams are mandated by law and caseloads are rising dramatically. Weissner reported that the County is tryin~ to put additional energy and resources into juvenile crime prevention.