Agenda Packets - 2003/03/24 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council March 10, 2003 Regular Meeting Page 8 1 Finance Director Hansen indicated that for items in the budget the amount is $5,000 and for 2 items not in the budget the amount is $2,500. 3 4 Council Member Marty commented that this is not a large expense but every little item needs to 5 be looked at when the City is faced with losing over $300,000. 6 7 Council Member Stigney asked what MAHCO was. 8 9 Finance Director Hansen indicated that MAHCO is the Minnesota Association of Housing Code 10 Officials. 11 12 Council Member Stigney asked what MSSA was. 13 14 Finance Director Hansen indicated that MSSA is the Minnesota Street Superintendents 15 Association. 16 17 Council Member Stigney indicated that it seems to him that Staff does not realize there is a 18 budget crunch with the proposed cutbacks to LGA and he would like to give Council direction 19 through the City Administrator to have Staff look at ways of cutting back. 20 21 Council Member Marty suggested a moratorium on spending and said it bothers him to be 22 discussing spending money as if things are normal and the City is not expected to lose money. 23 24 Council Member Quick said he felt that Council should have held an immediate meeting to 25 discuss the budget and spending issues if Members are so worried about it rather than waiting 26 until March 17, 2003 to give Staff a clear idea of Council wishes with regard to spending. 27 28 Council Member Stigney indicated the reason he had brought it up is he would like the City 29 Administrator to let Staff know that Council does not want to see any of these expenses until the 30 City knows how the budget crisis will be resolved. 31 32 Finance Director Hansen explained that there is a substantial lead time from the time that the 33 department makes the decision to buy something to when that claim shows up on the claim list at 34 least a month or two. He then said that a motion from Council would give Staff clear directive as 35 comments from one or two members does not. 36 37 Mayor Linke indicated it would be more prudent to say not to spend anything that is not 38 absolutely necessary for the function of the City as directing Staff by motion not to spend money 39 could stop the operations of the City. 40 41 Mayor Linke directed Staff to review the spending, watch what they are spending and buying, 42 and make sure all spending is approved by the City Administrator and Finance Director so that 43 Council knows that money is being spent wisely. 44 45