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how they can lower the deficit. He stated it seemed to him the departments were not looking into this matter. Mayor Coughlin stated the City was not running a deficit. He explained that he had debt, in the form of a mortgage, and he was meeting that obligation, and living in it as well. He stated he took on that debt with the knowledge that he was obtaining something in return. He stated it could be argued whether or not previous bonding within particular sections of the budget were prudent or not, however, the City was meeting its obligations, and was not running a deficit. Mr. Jahnke noted that the State of Minnesota had been in debt, and they had heard their Representative explain how they got out of debt. He stated this should be the City's goal. Mayor Coughlin stated the State of Minnesota, in a funding authorization to provide Community Centers for every large community within the state, had undertaken a massive amount of bonding in order to finance that project. He stated, at the same time it is claimed the state is running a surplus, it can also be argued they had added significantly to their bonding. He stated all levels of government had bonds, including the federal government. Mr. Jahnke stated his comment was in concern for awareness at the upcoming budget. Mr. Jahnke stated he had driven along Spring Lake Road on his scooter. He stated the road was beautiful, and the City had saved a million dollars on this project. He expressed his thanks to Mayor • Coughlin, Mary Malerick, Chair of the Streets Policy Committee, and Representative Haake for doing this. He stated he hoped they could convince the Director of Public Works to never put another cement curb in the City. Mayor Coughlin stated the Streets Policies Committee's recommendation was to leave these matters in the hands of the residents of the neighborhoods, to determine what they consider best. He stated, with that recommendation, the neighborhoods which wish to retain the trees, and keep the curbs out of their communities, would certainly have the opportunity to do so. Jolyn Vigen, 5108 Sunnyside Road, stated she was a homeowner in the City of Mounds View. She stated she had purchased her home one year ago, and in December she had experienced a water main break. She stated the break was located in the area from the shut-off valve to the street. She stated that she immediately felt she should not be responsible for that repair, however, in speaking with the utility company, Council Member Thomason, and an attorney, and in looking at the statutes, she felt she had no recourse but to pay the bill. She stated the cost of the repair was $1,850. Mrs. Vigen stated the Saturday before the Fourth of July, she was in her residence, a farm in Thief River Falls, and in the process of moving to her home in Mounds View. She stated her son had come up with a U-haul, and informed her that water was again bubbling in the same site as it had in December. She stated she had not planned to be in Mounds View for two weeks, at that time. She stated Director of Public Works Ulrich had informed her that it would not be satisfactory to leave • the situation as it was for two weeks. She stated Director of Public Works Ulrich indicated he would obtain bids and estimates on the current repair, and be in touch with her. She stated that in the 9 C:\ADMIN\MINUTES\CC\8-09-99.CC