08-10-2009 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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COUNCIL MINUTES August 10, 2009 APPROVED 41 1C. Approval of July 27, 2009 City Council Meeting Minutes Approved 42 1 D. Approval of Resolution No. 09-55 approving application of the 43 Lino Lakes Lions Club for a 1-4 day temporary on-sale liquor 44 license and off-site gambling permit for the annual Pheasant Feed 45 at St. Joseph's Church on September 26,2009 Approved 46 47 FINANCE DEPARTMENT REPORT,AL ROLEK 48 There was no report from the Finance Department. 49 50 ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT REPORT, DAN TESCH 51 3A. Charter Commission Budget Request—Acting Administrator Tesch recalled that the 52 Lino Lakes Charter Commission has submitted a letter requesting additional funding in 2009. 53 The request is for$4,000 to be used for legal services to develop a charter amendment that 54 would include a limit on property taxes. 55 When the council requested information on a possible schedule for a charter amendment, staff 56 explained that the Minnesota Statutes prescribe different schedules and processes for different 57 types of amendments and since there is no amendment in hand nor has the commission indicated 58 what type of amendment they intend to submit, the process is not clear. 59 When a council member asked if the request could be funded from the city's contingency fund, 60 Finance Director Rolek noted that a source for this request has not been identified but there is a 61 small amount of money left in the contingency. 62 A council member remarked that without funding, the commission cannot proceed with their 63 prescribed duties. 64 Council Member Reinert moved to approve the budget request of the Charter Commission. 65 Mayor Bergeson seconded the motion. 66 A council member noted that while the amendment suggested could be an important 67 consideration for the city, decisions about taxation and services should remain with the elected 68 officials chosen by the citizens. He would support a process whereby the council and the charter 69 commission work together on the question however. With the difficult budget decisions facing 70 the city for 2010, working together is the best approach. 71 Two other council members concurred with the concept of working collaboratively with the 72 charter commission. A joint meeting between the two bodies was suggested as well as holding 73 off on the commission's funding request until the bodies can determine together how best to 74 proceed. 75 A council member noted that there is a major road work issue in this city that is impacted by the 76 charter and he would like to see an amendment that addresses that pressing issue. 77 Motion lost on a voice vote. 78 Connie Sutherland, Charter Commission Member, 889 Main Street. Regarding the road issue, 79 she became part of the commission after she saw how that matter is being mishandled by the 80 city's leaders. She doesn't believe the commission is opposed to meeting with the council but 2