04/06/2005 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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• • • CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION APRIL 6, 2005 APPROVED 1 Auditor they were appropriately accounted for, the Council must determine if there is to 2 be any modification of the 2004 financial records, as staff does not have this authority. 3 Staff will clarify with Council the proposed accounting of charter -related expenditures for 4 the 2005 City Budget. 5 6 City Administrator Heitke stated staff is requesting that the City Council: 7 8 1) either confirm that there was nothing technically improper with the 2004 9 accounting of expenses, based on the City Auditor's opinion, or further 10 investigate this issue in order to make a determination. If the Council wishes 11 to modify the 2004 financial records to account for these types of expenditures 12 differently than what occurred, staff needs to be directed to make such 13 modifications. It is staff's recommendation that any modification of the 2004 14 financial records be done only after consultation with the City Auditor 15 regarding such modification to ensure that Generally Accepted Accounting 16 Principles are being adhered to, and; 17 18 2) provide direction to staff as to how similar expenses are to be accounted for in 19 2005, and have the City Auditor review and comment on the proposed 20 accounting method for compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting 21 Principles. 22 23 The Council discussed reviewing the expenditure related to attorney's fees with the 24 Charter Commission. After much discussion, the Council determined that after the joint 25 meeting with the Charter Commission, the Charter Commission should retract their 26 accusation regarding improper accounting of public funds. The City will follow the City 27 Auditor's suggestion to change the department name and add another line item for these 28 types of expenditures in the future to avoid additional confusion and improper 29 accusations. 30 31 CITY INVOLVEMENT IN BLUE HERON DAYS — GORDON HEITKE 32 33 City Administrator Heitke stated following the 2004 Blue Heron Days Festival, the City 34 Council decided to incorporate $3,000 into the 2005 budget for "community festival" 35 purposes with the intention of further discussion in 2005. Some time ago, staff reported 36 to Council on discussions with the Royalty Committee regarding the need for and their 37 interest in having a permanent parade float. This issue was discussed again recently and 38 both the Royalty Committee and chairman of the Blue Heron Days Committee would like 39 to see the City of Lino Lakes participate in the construction of a parade float which could 40 be used year round to promote the community and its festival. 41 42 City Administrator Heitke advised staff, the Royalty Committee and Blue Heron Days 43 Committee is seeking a response from the City Council as to whether there is support to 44 use the budgeted festival funds to construct a permanent parade float which could be used 45 by the Royalty Committee to represent the community in various parades throughout the 46 year. 47