02-16-1999 WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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MEMO February 12, 1999 To: Honorable Mayor and City Council From: Chuck Whiting, City Administrator Re: February 16, 1999 City Council Work Session We've got several items to go through Tuesday evening. Here's what's on tap: Item 1 - School Board Bond Report: Because of the nature of this issue I the school district and its impact on Mounds View's tax base, it seemed appropriate to have the school come in and report on their interest and reasons for their proposal. Very roughly, it appears that an $80 million bond would mean about$130 a year for the average house in Mounds View. The School Superintendent, Board Chair and Community Ed Director met with the area's mayors and administrators last Wednesday, but unfortunately neither I nor Dan could attend. They have been gracious enough to schedule themselves in to meet with us Tuesday and review their proposal with the Council. Item 2 - Council Reports: We have not had this item on work session agendas in the past, but the volume of requests for things I have had this past week, I thought maybe this would be helpful. Questions have come up as to how to get things on a meeting agenda. While I don't want to be a roadblock to someone's request, it often is not clear as to what the issue is or how much work I or staff should do in preparing for a single member's interest. It is however wholly appropriate to raise interests before the entire Council for addressing and direction and definition of the interest for review and/or staff preparation if needed. Perhaps with this on the work session agendas as well as the regular meetings,everyone will know things can be brought up. I would have put it first,but had committed the school to 6 p.m. Item 3 - City Employee Use of Public Works Garage: Council requested this be discussed on Tuesday. The administrative policy regarding this has been given to Council as well. Seeing as this has been an administrative policy, and the cell phones use can be considered an administrative oversight issue, I thought bringing up the rest of the administrative policy manual may be in order as well. This has been in various stages of development over the past two and a half years, but due to staff turnover has gotten set aside. It may be easier for Council to review all the policies at your convenience and then debate changes rather than bringing up one at a time. Council may also want to consider clarifying what level of interest or involvement it may have so as not to have the impression that staff may be working at cross purposes. Item 4 - Employee Cell Phones: Department heads will be present to respond to any questions. Bruce is putting together a compilation of billing information over the past few years. Council asked for a cost justification of the use of cell phones. After some discussion internally about just what that meant, it appears to me that a justifiable cost is related to the value imparted to employees having cell,which naturally depends on what they are using them for. In general, the phones are to be used for keeping the employee in constant contact for city related business. For some this may mean that they could be needed at any given time and that they are expected to respond. For others, it may additionally mean that a phone would be a better manner for communication than perhaps a radio or a pager. Each of these should be weighed against the cost of the use of the phone, the level of the desire for the city to be in contact with the employee and the alternatives for achieving the