05-26-2020 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION DRAFT 8 Councilmember Stoesz asked, is there is a point where the City insists on a higher rent and 295 the provider then could chooses to not cover the area. Director Swenson said the choice 296 to not accept the agreement would mean going with a different provider; he pointed out 297 that the priority has to be having the best service provider. Mayor Rafferty concurred that 298 the best situation for the City and its residents is the goal. 299 300 The council concurred that an action on the matter will be added to the council agenda. 301 7. Advisory Board Appointments – Administrator Karlson noted the advisory 302 board information presented in the staff report. Staff is asking if the council is ready to 303 establish a process for filling the positions. The council concurred that they would 304 interview only for boards were there are more applicants than openings (that would be 305 only the Planning and Zoning Board). Council Member Stoesz added that the council 306 should make themselves available for feedback if applicants would like that contact and 307 also plan to have an all-board/city council joint meeting whenever that becomes feasible. 308 The council is available for a Zoom meeting and staff will set up 20 minute interviews. 309 8. Annual License Fee Refunds – City Clerk Bartell addressed the council 310 regarding business licenses and fees. The City is currently in the process of renewing 311 licenses and staff has heard from licenses holders about the impact of not being able to 312 operate and use their licenses. State law does allow cities to refund fees under 313 circumstances that are not controlled by the business owners. The options presented are: 314 a) to provide a fee refund on a monthly pro rata basis for months that businesses were not 315 able to operate; and b) allow businesses to pay one half of their fee upon application and 316 the other half midway into their license period. Ms. Bartell noted the licenses involved. 317 318 Mayor Rafferty spoke in favor of the fee changes; it represents doing what is right under 319 the current circumstances. 320 321 Councilmember Cavegn noted that the active peddler license is for tree care and maybe 322 they wouldn’t benefit from an extension since that activity is seasonal. Ms. Bartell 323 indicated that staff would intend to be flexible and work with licensees so that they can 324 benefit from the spirit these changes. 325 326 Councilmember Lyden asked if this is consistent with what other cities are doing. Ms. 327 Bartell said she’s checked with other cities and has found that, across the board, there isn’t 328 a real standard but she’s seen cities deciding on things that are right for their communities 329 in ways that are similar to what is beinpresented to the council. 330 331 The council concurred that they support the fee changes and they will consider formal 332 action at the next council meetings. 333 9. 2021 Budget Calendar/Priorities – Finance Director Cotton reviewed a 334 proposed budget calendar. The first budget work session is proposed for July 27th. 335 Another option would be to have it as an item on the August work session but that may be 336 a late start. Secondly, she noted information received from the county indicating an 337