Agenda Packets - 2010/11/22 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Item No: 11B3 Meeting Date: November 22, 2010 Type of Business: Reports City of Mounds View Staff Report To: Honorable Mayor and City Council From: James Ericson, City Administrator Item Title/Subject: Administration Reports 1. Cable Committee Meeting On November 16, I met with members of the Cable Committee (Haake, Kracl & Skelly) to review cable production issues, the cable budget, franchise revenues and the future of NSCC / NSAC in light of the franchise renewal process. CTV has not yet signed a lease for their new space, Barbara Haake reports that could occur in December. The costs associated with the move and buildout have not been finalized, but it appears that it will be into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. I asked Cor Wilson a few questions about their proposed 2011 budgets and will learn more in the coming weeks. Ms. Haake will be unable to attend the next NSCC / NSAC meeting so alternate Kracl will attend in her stead 2. League of MN Cities Regional Meeting On November 17, I attended the League of MN Cities regional meeting in Brooklyn Park. The topics on the agenda included HR & personnel issues and controlling costs, a review of a study on aging and associated demographic shifts, a legislative panel discussion and the featured guest speaker political reporter Mary Lahammer. The legislators all seem to agree that this coming session will be interesting. It was reported that Republic leaders claim that the state’s projected $6 Billion deficit can be resolved through spending cuts alone without raising taxes. The legislators in attendance—Senator Tom Bakk, Senator Dave Senjem, Representative Joyce Pepin and Representative Paul Thissen—responded to questions about levy limits, unfunded mandates and LGA. Ms. Lahammer shared her observations of the gubernatorial candidates and provided some personal insights regarding Mark Dayton and Tom Emmer. I had a chance to chat with former administrator Kurt Ulrich at the meeting, and he reports that Aaron Backman is already working hard to bring new develompent to Ramsey! 3. Labor Issues The arbitration ruling in September granted a one-year contract to patrol officers. The City then settled with the sergeants union for the same term, which means both unions’ contracts will expire in December. We have already set up a negotiation session with the sergeants union on December 1 and are waiting to hear back from the business agent for the patrol officers union to schedule a date.