Agenda Packets - 1993/12/09 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council Page Budget Hearing December 9, 1 she had cuts, but had none at this meeting. Rickaby asked again where staff cuts were and Mayor Linke explained the situation again. Rickaby accused the other nine. persons in the room of having collective memory loss because they did not recall what she remembered with regards to staff cuts. Rickaby got up, put her coat on half way through the meeting and stated, "sitting here is not my top priority if I'm not going to be listened to" . Mayor Linke asked her at that time if she was going to fulfill her responsibilities with regards to the budget. Mayor Linke stated he had never seen or had something like this happen in the past. Mayor Linke read a letter that he wrote to Councilmember Rickaby asking for her resignation from her position as Councilmember. Mayor Linke made note that Councilmember Rickaby would not be in attendance at this meeting. Councilmember Rickaby called yesterday at 11:55 a.m. looking for Samantha Orduno, City Administrator. Rickaby left a message with the receptionist that said, "I won't be at the budget hearing on Wednesday night, I'm planning to be sick" . Mayor Linke stated that he did not ask for this resignation without much thought. On behalf of the residents, Mayor Linke stated that he felt the residents -deserve a Councilmember that should be doing what the person was elected to do. Councilmember Rickaby had not participated in the budget process all year long. Councilmember Wuori stated her concurrence with Mayor Linke's statements. Wuori stated that when she did not understand information she came in and • spent time with staff. That is why staff is hired and Council is elected. Councilmember Wuori requested signing the letter to Councilmember Rickaby. Councilmember Blanchard concurred with Mayor Linke and stated that, in her opinion, Councilmember Rickaby is not serving constituents. Councilmember Blanchard did not feel that four Councilmembers could ask for Councilmember Rickaby's resignation. Councilmember Blanchard would have to think about it before signing the letter. Duane McCarty, Long Lake Road, has a concern about what is happening with the Truth In Taxation notice. There is a misrepresentation of information regarding the proposed property taxes. The County is given credit for the raising of the property taxes. The County acts under state laws and must maintain property estimated values at 90 - 105% of their market value and we are currently at 95% in Ramsey County. Mr. McCarty stated that we have to get to the legislature in their next session and make it workable for everyone. Mayor Linke stated that the City Council is trying to keep the 1993 rate the same as the 1992 rate. If you keep the rate the same and the tax capacity rate for the residents the same the taxes won't increase. Mr. McCarty stated that an escalated estimated market value will increase the revenues. The proposed City tax levy is exempt on the Mounds -View Cit Newsletter.