04/22/1998 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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• • s CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION APRIL 22, 1998 Dan noted that excess fund balance is more than $300,000. Rick explained that there are five (5) parks which need funding at about $40,000 each. He also noted that if equipment for all four (4) parks was ordered at the same time, there would be a reduction from the supplier and residents would be asked to help erect the equipment. Kim noted that the computer equipment was already approved by the City Council. She also felt that some funding for park equipment was warranted. She also felt starting a road reconstruction fund was a good idea. This shows that the City has made a commitment and it is a good faith issue. However, she did not feel kindly to more civic complex funding. Kim also noted that there is funding needed for the Randy Schumacher issue. Rick said that if the Council only funds park benches and a place for residents to go, this would show that the Council is concerned about parks. John suggested that the Council agree to a percentage allocation. He agreed that the computer is a done deal, felt the street reconstruction issue was too large of an issue to consider at this time, and wanted to be sure that there was no other financial issue that the Council was not aware of. He said that the consensus of the Council seemed to be that they did not want to put anymore dollars into the civic complex. Andy said he was in favor of "sweat equity" for the parks. He noted that half of the benches in the City parks were made and donated by the Lions Club. They can still make and donate more benches. He felt the Council should not let go of the excess funds all at once. Caroline asked Rick to look at the playground constructed at a Moundsview Elementary School. The equipment was funded and constructed by the neighborhood. Kim said she did not think residents would be overjoyed to spend all of the fund balance on parks. She would like to see some going to a contingency fund because the City does not know what tax compression will do to taxes. John agreed to a contingency option. Chris said the Lino Lakes parks are shameful. He supported 60% going to parks, $70,000 for computers and the balance into a road reconstruction fund. The following percentages were approved: 30% computers 50% parks 10% road reconstruction 10% contingency fund PAGE 5