Minutes - 1999/09/13 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Mounds View City Council September 13, 1999 Regular Meeting Page 9 David Jahnke, 8428 Eastwood Road, stated it was a "breath of fresh air" to attend the Council meetings under the new Mayor and Council Members. He noted he had seen Mayors throw papers at other Council Members and belittle them, and Council Members belittle each other, and this was very disturbing. He thanked Mayor Coughlin and the Council for not behaving in this manner. Mr. Jahnke stated when the new Council and Mayor were elected the people had thought there would be a change in City policy, in terms of expenses. He commented that he was aware that Mayor Coughlin had inherited many of these expenses, one in particular, was the golf course, which did not ever seem to go away. He stated the people were promised that the golf course would "never cost them a nickel," however, he was presently hearing about a new proposal. Mr. Jahnke suggested the Council might wish to take another look at the golf course issue. He stated one of the Council Members had suggested they abandon the golf course and turn the property into some type of a business park. He commented that he was formerly the president of a credit union, and was knowledgeable of financial matters, and was beginning to question the current policy in this regard. Mr. Jahnke stated another of his concerns was that they were promised that the franchise fees on the sewer service would expire. He stated this matter has come forward several times, and to date, the expiration has not occurred. He noted the item was again present on the agenda. • Mr. Jahnke stated he had been involved in the Community Center discussion from its inception, and it has been the subject of many debates. He inquired although he did not disagree with the current proposal for showers at the Community Center, how much more money would be put into this project. He stated Mounds View is a community of approximately four square miles, which is not a big community. He commented that some of the projects have been vested with a large amount of money, and he was beginning to wonder if they were going to get out of these obligations. He stated the Council was elected to implement changes. Mr. Jahnke commented that he was pleased that money had been saved during the purchase of the golf course pickup truck. He noted, however, they still have the old pickup. He stated it appears they continue to purchase, and the problem never diminishes. He requested the Council be more conservative in these matters. Mr. Jahnke stated he had discussed these issues with each of the Council Members, individually, and that he and some of the residents were wondering if a change was going to occur. Mayor Coughlin thanked Mr. Jahnke for his comments. He stated Mr. Jahnke was correct in his statement that, with the change over of representation in the City, he was operating under a budget that was not set by himself, or the majority of the present Council Members. He explained the Council is, therefore, somewhat restrained in what they can and can not do, in that they are essentially acting under someone else's vision. • Mayor Coughlin stated the Council was keeping abreast of the issues, and in fact, were operating below the set budget for the previous year. He explained that, with few exceptions, such as the airport issue, they are keeping well within the budget.