02/04/2008 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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• • • CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION February 4, 2008 APPROVED 46 charter commission attorney can speak to the matter of the commission's intent or the 47 commission itself may have to provide that input. The focus of the comparison shouldn't 48 be on details but on the general issue areas. 49 50 Council was reminded that if an amendment different than the current proposal(s) is 51 going to be considered, a first reading of an ordinance no later than March 24, 2008 52 would be appropriate to allow once again for a charter commission review period and still 53 meet a deadline for ballot placement in fall of this year. A legal opinion on how much 54 change constitutes a different proposal is requested. 55 56 Finance Director Rolek noted that he basically concurs with the advice in the letter from 57 city financial advisor Springsted outlining the financial implications of the city's process 58 for improvements. The marketability of the city's bonds has an impact on city costs and 59 possibly the city's bond rating. 60 61 CHARTER COMMISSION EXPENDITURE 62 63 Finance Director Rolek reported that the Charter Commission has submitted bills in 64 excess of their budget for 2007. The outstanding bill to the Marty Law Firm, if paid, 65 would put the commission $545 over budget. The council has authority to increase the 66 budget if that is desired. He added that there is the possibility that there are other 67 outstanding 2007 bills. Although the commission has a 2008 budget, the overage cannot 68 be authorized from that budget since it relates to 2007 expenses. 69 70 The council recognized that the commission is an outside organization, not a city 71 department. State statute, however, requires that the city provide at least $1,500 to the 72 commission. 73 74 The commission will be contacted as to the question of outstanding 2007 bills; when the 75 final figure is known, the council will consider amending the 2007 budget and whether or 76 not that will impact the 2008 commission budget. The legal bill to the Marty Law Firm 77 should be paid. 78 79 EDAC BUSINESS SURVEY 80 81 Economic Development Coordinator Divine reported that the Economic Development 82 Advisory Committee (EDAC) has in the past surveyed city businesses to gain information 83 that will be helpful in supporting and recognizing the needs of those businesses. The 84 Committee has decided that it is time to issue a new survey, especially based on current 85 commercial conditions. Ms. Divine will be initiating an on-line survey, the results will be 86 compiled and a resulting action plan developed by EDAC. 87 88 A council member suggested that the survey include information about YMCA 89 membership as an employee benefit. 90