04-02-2018 Council Work Session Minutes

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION April 2, 2018 APPROVED 136 Mayor Reinert and Council Member Maher concurred that they thought the council had 137 decided on the $2,400 stipend when this was discussion in February. 138 139 Council Member Manthey suggested that $2,400 would be excessive for his needs. He'd 140 be more comfortable with $1,000 per term. The bottom line is that he's okay with going 141 with less funding. 142 143 Council Member Stoesz noted that enterprise grade equipment is nice (i.e. Surface Pro) 144 and good software can be very helpful in working. Having a number there doesn't mean 145 that it all has to be spent. Director Cotton clarified that there is a need to put the whole 146 amount out as a stipend for accounting purposes. 147 148 There was recognition that everyone may use the equipment differently. 149 150 Mayor Reinert remarked that he sees the number is a little high but he thinks that $500 a 151 year is reasonable. 152 153 Director Cotton remarked that several council members are still within their range of 154 depreciation and would have to sacrifice their current device (for reallocation to staff) in 155 order to purchase anything new. Mayor Reinert pointed out the changes in policy in the 156 past and how needs may change. 157 158 The council concurred on the $500 stipend annually. 159 160 Council Member Stoesz reported on his investigation on website improvement. There 161 are basically two companies. He noted the cost of about $4,000 per year to update the 162 current site. He feels the website should be a priority because it is "the front door" to the 163 City. He suggests a subcommittee that would work on website improvements. 164 165 Mayor Reinert suggested keeping an open mind about companies that could provide 166 services. There are a lot of services out there. 167 168 Administrator Karlson explained his investigation of Council Member Stoesz's 169 suggestion. He has heard about an update by the current contractor that is fairly 170 reasonable in cost and provides better services especially for use by different devices. He 171 can see the benefit to a change. 172 173 Council Member Stoesz would like to take a closer look at the proposal and funding 174 possibilities. 175 176 Council Member Stoesz will work with staff and report back. He will also investigate 177 longer term the idea of making the City email address more compact and usable. 178 179 7. Rice Lake Elementary Playground Equipment Project Follow -Up — Public 180 Services Director DeGardner recalled the council's previous consideration of the matter 4