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Page 4 <br />November 27, 1995 <br />Mounds View City Council <br />taken on this issue. She also understood that it would be discussed further at <br />the November 29th meeting. She did not have any idea that money would be <br />taken out of the 1995 budget to fund this project. This further raises questions <br />about the city's budget process. She is particularly concerned that a decision <br />was made on this issue without any notice to her. <br />Ms. Trude explained that at the council's last work session, they had agreed that <br />there would be a 0% tax levy increase for 1996. Since that decision was made, <br />she felt it would be inappropriate to discuss the pedestrian bridge issue at the <br />Truth in Taxation Meeting if it was not a part of the 1996 budget. <br />Mayor Linke explained that it was put on the agenda upon his request. He <br />was not comfortable with the four different funding proposals which were put <br />before him so he met with the City's Finance Department and was able to come <br />up with an alternate funding source, that being interest earned off of the 1994 <br />and 1995 Special Project Funds. He contacted Samantha Orduno and asked <br />that this item be added to the agenda. He also spoke with the Auditors who <br />informed him that it was acceptable to use the funds toward this project. <br />Ms. Hankner stated at the last council work session the council members agreed <br />to a 0% levy increase. This was what she wanted all along. However, her <br />position on the issue was that if the pedestrian bridge were to be approved, <br />something would need to be taken out of the 1996 budget to allow it in order to <br />assure the 0% levy increase. <br />Duane McCarty, 8060 Long Lake Road, stated he is very dismayed at the <br />attitude that anything other than the proposed tax levy for next year is not the <br />money of the citizens of the city. There is no excuse for going outside of the <br />proper process in making expenditures. There has never been a question about <br />the value of a pedestrian bridge, however he feels the public was cut out of the <br />entire process. <br />Mayor Linke stated he did not know what Mr. McCarty was referring to when he <br />said the public was cut out of the process. The public has been involved in the <br />decision since approximately April when the city first started talking about it. <br />There were many residents present at council meetings since then in support of <br />the bridge. The only time they opposed it was when the city was considering <br />putting it on the taxes. <br />Mr. McCarty asked if people really expect that pedestrians directly across the <br />highway from their destination will walk a considerable distance just to use the <br />bridge. He wondered where the plan or specific study that was required to <br />