Agenda Packets - 2006/08/28 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council July 24, 2006 Regular Meeting Page 16 they are trying to make it follow the process for ordinances. 1 2 Councilmember Flaherty stated that he agrees with Councilmember Gunn that the language is 3 difficult to understand. Mr. Thomas stated that in the recommendation of it being a ballot 4 question, it can be included in the request that Staff clarify. 5 6 Councilmember Gunn asked about the City newsletter and how it will be published 10 days 7 ahead when there are only 6 newsletters published. Councilmember Stigney suggested the 8 language of “city newsletter when feasible, or the City website.” 9 10 Mr. Thomas stated Councilmember Stigney’s recommendation is well within the intent of the 11 language. He stated the listing of the additional items is to encourage the use, but the City 12 newsletter is the required use. Mr. Thomas stated it is reasonable to request Staff take a careful 13 consideration of the paragraph when drafting the final draft. 14 15 Councilmember Stigney asked about the formulas in Subdivision 1, which states the rate shall 16 not exceed the lesser of the following formulas. He asked about the inflationary index and asked 17 if the word “formulas” should be removed. Mr. Thomas stated there are two formulas, the lesser 18 of 5%, or CPI plus 2%. 19 20 Councilmember Thomas stated that there are two formulas, and any time a percentage is being 21 figured, it is a formula. She stated it is either a percentage of the budget, or the CPI plus a 22 percentage. Councilmember Stigney suggested the language “CPI plus 2% or a cap of 5%” be 23 used. 24 25 Mr. Thomas stated that if there is a better way for the langue to make sense, the Charter 26 Commission is not opposed to it. He stated the overall attempt is to put together a very carefully 27 planned restriction so the Council cannot implement a greater amount without taking it to the 28 voters. 29 30 Mayor Marty stated his concern is that the CPI was 10%, would the limit will be crippling to the 31 City in inflationary times. He stated a special election would cost the City a fair amount. He 32 stated if the City needs more than 5%, it would cost a significant amount to approve. 33 34 Mr. Thomas stated the Charter Commission agrees with the sentiment, but if the City finds itself 35 in the position of needing more money, the Council needs to take it to the voters with a special 36 election. He stated they reviewed with Finance Director Beer the last 10 years and next 5 years, 37 and the 5% would have worked in the past and will work in the future. He stated if times are that 38 tough, he believes the voters must be involved. 39 40 Mr. Thomas explained that, not counting the cuts in LGA, the numbers would all have worked 41 and they would not have had to go to the voters for any of the budgets. He stated they 42 considered both historical and projected needs, and designed the Charter to meet the City’s needs 43 even in times of hardship. He stated he believes they have come up with a workable solution 44 with reasonable limits. 45