Agenda Packets - 1997/02/24 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page 4 November 27, 1995 Mounds View City Council taken on this issue. She also understood that it would be discussed further at the November 29th meeting. She did not have any idea that money would be taken out of the 1995 budget to fund this project. This further raises questions about the city's budget process. She is particularly concerned that a decision was made on this issue without any notice to her. Ms. Trude explained that at the council's last work session, they had agreed that there would be a 0% tax levy increase for 1996. Since that decision was made, she felt it would be inappropriate to discuss the pedestrian bridge issue at the Truth in Taxation Meeting if it was not a part of the 1996 budget. Mayor Linke explained that it was put on the agenda upon his request. He was not comfortable with the four different funding proposals which were put before him so he met with the City's Finance Department and was able to come up with an alternate funding source, that being interest earned off of the 1994 and 1995 Special Project Funds. He contacted Samantha Orduno and asked that this item be added to the agenda. He also spoke with the Auditors who informed him that it was acceptable to use the funds toward this project. Ms. Hankner stated at the last council work session the council members agreed • to a 0% levy increase. This was what she wanted all along. However, her position on the issue was that if the pedestrian bridge were to be approved, something would need to be taken out of the 1996 budget to allow it in order to assure the 0% levy increase. Duane McCarty, 8060 Long Lake Road, stated he is very dismayed at the attitude that anything other than the proposed tax levy for next year is not the money of the citizens of the city. There is no excuse for going outside of the proper process in making expenditures. There has never been a question about the value of a pedestrian bridge, however he feels the public was cut out of the entire process. Mayor Linke stated he did not know what Mr. McCarty was referring to when he said the public was cut out of the process. The public has been involved in the decision since approximately April when the city first started talking about it. There were many residents present at council meetings since then in support of the bridge. The only time they opposed it was when the city was considering putting it on the taxes. Mr. McCarty asked if people really expect that pedestrians directly across the highway from their destination will walk a considerable distance just to use the • bridge. He wondered where the plan or specific study that was required to