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Mounds View City Council June 12, 2000 Regular Meeting Page 17 F. Budget Transfers. Interim Administrator Ulrich stated the Airport Litigation / Legislation has come to a close, and staff has compiled a list of expenses for the consultants and litigation, and in consulting with the Finance Director, is requesting a budget transfer for these expenditures. He stated the litigation costs were slightly over $22,000, and the costs for Legislation came to approximately $72,000, for a grand total of approximately $94,000. He indicated the balance of the Council’s General Legal Budget is $15,000, therefore, staff is requesting a transfer of $79,000 from General Reserves to pay for this expenditure. Interim Administrator Ulrich stated staff is attempting to resolve some legal issues and bills pertaining to the Golf Course, which have been outstanding from some time. He indicated these expenses relate to the costs for legal work pertaining to the billboards, and it has not been determined which funds or dollars should be utilized to pay for these expenses at this time. He indicated that if the billboards proceed, he would assume the Golf Course would be responsible for the legal expenses related to the billboard project, however, at this time, staff is requesting a transfer of $20,347.40 from the General Reserves to pay this bill. He advised that Eller Media has agreed to pay $5,000 toward those expenses. Interim Administrator Ulrich stated several months ago, the Personnel Policies were updated, and legal staff required additional hours due to changes requested by Council during the process. He explained that the Council provided direction in the midst of this process, which covered the initial expenses, however, at this time, an additional $4,500 is requested to fulfill the City’s obligation in this regard. Interim Administrator Ulrich stated various other non-retainer issues have come in slightly over budget, in the amount of approximately $15,000, and therefore, the total amount requested for legal services for various projects and issues is $119,461.22 to be transferred from the General Reserves into the City Council and Central Services budgets. Mayor Coughlin stated the Council authorized the majority of these items at different points in time, and it was stated in most motions that these items should be paid out of funds deemed appropriate by the Finance Director. He inquired if this was item was simply a housekeeping measure to ensure that all these obligations are met in synchronization with the auditors’ report. Interim Administrator Ulrich stated this was correct. He stated it was his understanding that the City could not go into deficit funding, and therefore, a transfer must be made into these accounts. Mayor Coughlin stated therefore, this was simply the Finance Director’s recommendation, and the majority of these items were expenditures that were previously authorized by the Council. Council Member Marty inquired, in light of the Council’s authorization, why these bills had not already been paid.