01/13/2003 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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• • • COUNCIL MINUTES JANUARY 13, 2003 APPROVED Councilmember Carlson stated the Council raised that question at a work session and she said it was not that she could supply a percentage but that we need to look at where we could be making cuts and the tough choices. She stated she asked for the items that staff was discussing that could be cut. The Friday update included a list of five things, such as no out of town conferences. Councilmember Carlson commented that these are the kind of cuts that John Gunyou refers to as "nibbling around the edges" and not addressing the real cuts that will be needed. Councilmember Carlson stated she mentioned the contingency funds and yes, during uncertain times they would be good to have. She stated the City does not waste money, but in her opinion, lost thousands of dollars when the funds were released for a road project. She stated the City did not get a complete and final accounting of that item or for moving the pool which was put in the wrong position. There was also not a complete and final accounting for the money expended for mold repair that should not have to be expended in this three-year-old building. However, it is not known if it was a design or building problem. She stated these funds may not come from the general fund budget but as she looks at how Lino Lakes is set up, it all comes from the taxpayer or those paying the fees. Councilmember Reinert noted this plan is a projection and guideline, not a mandate. He stated he did not hear a specific direction that staff could have taken as far as making reductions. He stated he is confused because when this was first reviewed there was a 51% increase over five years and then there were discussions about a 35% increase which was a specific direction. As far as leadership to take this downward from the original projections, Councilmember Reinert noted that the Council directed staff to go to 35% and that was done. He stated he is open to more specific direction for staff to follow to get to a point that is palatable to more Councilmembers, however, that direction has not yet been given. Councilmember Reinert stated that in subsequent meetings neither he nor staff heard more direction or leadership downward from that point. He stated staff needs specific direction on where it should go from here. He emphasized that this is a projection and guideline, not set in stone and to continually not vote for this and just say you want to check out things and give no specific direction downward, he has a hard time with that. He stated that maybe there is not a clear understanding that this is a projection and wished that leadership or direction had been given by those who do not support this plan. He stated this could have been worked out if direction had been given. Councilmember Reinert stated that by the time this plan is updated again, many things will have changed. He stated he supports the document which reflects staff direction previously given. Councilmember Dahl stated that as she reviewed this plan over the weekend, she came to realize she has a different role in this. When the budget came through she voted against a 4.04% increase and always likes to be consistent. She stated she does change her position if fellow Councilmembers give opinions that seem to make sense to her. Councilmember Dahl stated that she understands this is just a projection but from her past experience the projections set the stage for future budgets. Councilmember Dahl stated things in this document can be changed easier than in the budget but it still sets the stage for everything. She stated a jump from 4.04% to 7.61% is high and the Council needs to be more conservative than this plan is. She stated she does not like the 7.61% increase and noted it has been mentioned that a road referendum can be considered. 4