11-22-2021 Council Special Budget Work Session Minutes

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CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL WORK SESSION APPROVED 44 organization as an individual but he cannot support taxpayer dollars. Councilmember 45 Cavegn said he supports funds staying in the budget. Councilmember Lyden asked 46 Public Safety Director Swenson to comment on the services provided to the City. 47 Director Swenson explained the role of Alexandra House in the county and more 48 specifically in this City. The council had received a presentation from the executive 49 director at a recent work session. They are a good partner mainly in the area of domestic 50 violence, a situation that does occur in this community. Councilmember Cavegn asked 51 if they are called to assist in domestic violence situations and Director Swenson said it is 52 protocol that officers bring in Alexandra House for their assistance. Councilmember 53 Cavegn asked, if Alexandra House were not providing that service,how would the 54 service be provided in Lino Lakes? Director Swenson said Alexandra House is the 55 provider to this community and while other areas have other options, another would have 56 to be identified for the City. Councilmember Cavegn asked the Finance Director the 57 impact(to a taxpayer in the City) of this funding. It was estimated at about $.50 per 58 resident. Councilmember Lyden noted that he sees this as a very important service. 59 Councilmember Ruhland said he is trying to represent the majority of taxpayers in the 60 City as well as wondering what other service that would be just as important. 61 Councilmember Cavegn noted with that same theory, he would have a hard time 62 supporting funding for Blue Heron Days. Mayor Rafferty remarked that the item will be 63 removed from the budget. 64 65 Mayor Rafferty noted that the Park Board is requesting additional funding to the Parks 66 and Trails funds. There has also been discussion about replacement of vehicles within 67 the Public Safety Department. 68 69 On the vehicle question,the Public Safety Department is requesting three new vehicles. 70 One current vehicle would be rotated to the fire division. The mayor said one vehicle that 71 would be changed out has 15,000 miles on it and that would replace a fire department 72 vehicle with 6,000+. The mayor has asked what it would take to keep that vehicle in 73 place. The mayor also mentioned the option to replace Ford Explorer vehicles with a 74 more expensive Chevrolet Tahoe and possible cost savings there. He would propose 75 taking the savings of$17,000 and moving it to the parks budget. Councilmember 76 Cavegn noted the vehicle discussion and that he is in favor of the purchasing the Tahoe. 77 Councilmember Lyden remarked that the value includes the value when it is sold but the 78 mayor remarked that isn't the discussion now. Councilmember Ruhland noted that 79 models have changed since the discussion has commenced; he sees that it would be a 80 wash if the vehicles don't increase in value any differently, i.e. one vehicle would gain 81 value in a greater fashion. Councilmember Stoesz remarked that Explorer's have worked 82 well in the past so he would support purchasing them. Mayor Rafferty argued for the 83 $17,000 that could be used in another way. Councilmember Lyden noted that the 84 Explorer vehicle has inherent problems that cause mechanical repair cost. When asked 85 to comment, Director Swenson said he has provided information and a recommendation 86 and would welcome a council direction at this point. 87 88 Mayor Rafferty spoke in favor of reallocating savings (by purchase of Explorer instead of 2