12-15-1997 CC - Laserfiche WebLink

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I contacted others that I am not too familiar with. Government Training Services(GTS) has done some work with the City in the past and sent along some examples of meeting structure. They are certainly qualified. Other groups are included in your packet that I haven't been able to call as of yet. I tried the Minnesota School of Business but ended up in a phone machine after talking with some people who didn't seem to understand anything I was talking about. The Council will also • recall Don Salverda's offer to work for the group again. In talking with the League, naturally they were favoring consultants familiar with cities. If the Council would like to get away from that, perhaps some discussion on Monday and additional time would be needed. As for the groups inclosed, winter does seem to be the prime time. If the Council desires a preference, a simple motion can be made to secure the time, date and not to exceed cost and I can work with the consultant of choice on the options. Otherwise I can report back at the January work session. Item F7-Assessment Policies Status: After the December 3 work session I met with Mike Ulrich and Bruce to figure out how best to quantify the options the Council and community faces in reviewing its assessment policies, MSA policies and long term street improvement policies. While I think this can still be done, I am less confident that any staff work in this area will be received by some as credible. There is no doubt that even as staff tries to get information that can assist in evaluating city policies, the time constraints and limitations we face will likely not be satisfactory. This is not to say the effort will not be forthcoming, but Council members may want to be prepared to consider alternatives to facilitating this discussion down the road. An outside dispute resolutions expert may in the end be of more satisfaction to the residents and to the Council in dealing with this type of issue. Whatever, it is just a thought. As for Monday evening, I felt that since we do not meet again for three weeks that I may just say • where staff is at this time in laying out the policies and choices they present. Bruce had to be in Sioux Falls for three days this week on software training with his staff so we have not been able to make much headway so far and I thought I would say this on camera Monday to keep those interested up to date with where we are. In other business, Cathy and I have met again with Charlie Hall's developer. The meeting with well with some outlines of how a project could work. Some more has to be done before coming back to the Council, but for the most part it seems positive. I also met with the patrol unit on their LELS contract. I have received their notice for mediation and expect to end up there sometime next month. I countered their positions with what I thought was a fair offer and will have to wait and see now. The sergeants unit meets next week and I have to still set up a meeting with DPW. Somewhat related, Lynette is still working on the Hay point criteria. Some changes coming may effect that as well. I also met with Cathy, Bruce and John Hammerschmidt on lighting at the golf course. I have a few issues I want pursued as this is evaluated. While lighting seems to be logical for the golf course to consider, the City's funding for it is a matter of good public policy that needs exploration. We will have this subject on the January 5 work session. Finally, I received a call from Senator Novak's office on his next meeting with legislators and MAC officials. We will be meeting next Wednesday at the capital. I have also extended an • invitation to Steve to attend a Council meeting prior to the legislative session starting again and await his response. Have a good weekend and see you on Monday.