Laserfiche WebLink
Mounds View City Council August 23, 1999 <br /> Regular Meeting Page 9 <br /> papers at other Council Members and belittle them, and Council Members belittle each other, <br /> and this was very disturbing. He thanked Mayor Coughlin and the Council for not behaving in <br /> this manner. <br /> Mr. Jahnke stated when the new Council and Mayor were elected the people had thought there <br /> would be a change in City policy, in terms of expenses. He commented that he was aware that <br /> Mayor Coughlin had inherited many of these expenses, one in particular, was the golf course, <br /> which did not ever seem to go away. He stated the people were promised that the golf course <br /> would"never cost them a nickel,"however, he was presently hearing about a new proposal. <br /> Mr. Jahnke suggested the Council might wish to take another look at the golf course issue. He <br /> stated one of the Council Members had suggested they abandon the golf course and turn the <br /> property into some type of a business park. He commented that he was formerly the president of <br /> a credit union, and was knowledgeable of financial matters, and was beginning to question the <br /> current policy in this regard. <br /> Mr. Jahnke stated another of his concerns was that they were promised that the fees on the sewer <br /> service would expire. He stated this matter has come forward several times, and to date, the <br /> expiration has not occurred. He noted the item was again present on the agenda. <br /> Mr. Jahnke stated he had been involved in the Community Center discussion from its inception, <br /> and it has been the subject of many debates. He inquired although he did not disagree with the <br /> current proposal for showers at the Community Center, how much more money would be put <br /> into this project. He stated Mounds View is a community of approximately four square miles, <br /> which is not a big community. He commented that some of the projects have been vested with a <br /> large amount of money, and he was beginning to wonder if they were going to get out of these <br /> obligations. He stated the Council was elected to implement changes. <br /> Mr. Jahnke commented that he was pleased that money had been saved during the purchase of <br /> the golf course pickup truck. He noted, however, they still have the old pickup. He stated it <br /> appears they continue to purchase, and the problem never diminishes. He requested the Council <br /> be more conservative in these matters. <br /> Mr. Jahnke stated he had discussed these issues with each of the Council Members, individually, <br /> and that he and some of the residents were wondering if a change was going to occur. <br /> Mayor Coughlin thanked Mr. Jahnke for his comments. He stated Mr. Jahnke was correct in his <br /> statement that, with the change over of representation in the City, he was operating under a <br /> budget that was not set by himself, or the majority of the present Council Members. He <br /> explained the Council is, therefore, somewhat restrained in what they can and can not do, in that <br /> they are essentially acting under someone else's vision. <br /> Mayor Coughlin stated the Council was keeping abreast of the issues, and in fact, were operating <br /> below the set budget for the previous year. He explained that, with few exceptions, such as the <br /> airport issue, they are keeping well within the budget. <br /> Mayor Coughlin stated the issue of sewer and water fees would likely be discussed at great <br /> length during the Work Session meeting on the following Monday. He noted that the golf course <br /> has obligations. He explained that bonds had been set up long before he was Mayor, and <br />