Agenda Packets - 1998/12/28 - Laserfiche WebLink

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UNAPPROVED Mounds View City Council December 14, 1998 Page 3 Obert complimented the Mayor and Council for the work that they had done during the current year. He said he was disturbed with the casualness that the Parks and Recreation Management issue had been brought before the people of the City. It seems the only savings to be realized by the process is the elimination of the Park Director's salary. Obert said, "I was very bothered by that. I was embarrassed that night. I felt she was left to hang out to dry, almost like she was pleading for her job up here. It wasn't a good display by the City of Mounds View." Another issue of embarrassment was the fact that one of the neighboring communities put in a bid to run our City's Parks and Recreation Department. Obert asked, "Are we incapable?Are we that down in the minor leagues?Are we level B?, we're going to let level As run our business?" Obert said he was opposed to outsourcing the Parks and Recreation Department to the YMCA. He said the City's staff should have been given the opportunity to run the programs out of the new Community Center for a one-year period. Then the decision could have been made as to actual costs of the City-run program. Mayor McCarty in response: The City Council realizes one thing: The Community Center is going to have a very expensive operation and maintenance tag attached to it. Even if the entire City Council was to forgo their salaries the most that could be raised would be $39,000. This simply wouldn't make a difference as to whether or not the City staff ran the Parks and Recreation Department. The City is looking for the most efficient way to run its business. Outsourcing and privatization are among those options. The City has levy limits and state mandates that must be met, he said. Obert suggested that the City Council return to the "all volunteer" Council of the past as a means to save some money for the City. He said the other commission and board members of the City work for free, why not the City Council. 7. COUNCIL BUSINESS A. Public Hearing and Second reading of Ordinance No. 623, Authorizing the City council of the City of Mounds View to set water and waste water rates and surcharges effective with the January 1999 Billings. 1. Public Hearing 2. Second Reading 3. Consider Motion Adopting Mayor McCarty closed the City Council meeting and opened the public hearing. No public comments were considered. Mayor McCarty closed the public hearing and reopened the City Council meeting. Kessel reviewed the rate increases and reasons for the increases.