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Mounds View City Council October 11, 1999
<br />Regular Meeting Page 28
<br />• Ex-Mayor McCarty stated as he left office the previous year, he did not know any of the three
<br />new Council Members, however, after seeing the debates, watching the election, and talking with
<br />them, he made the statement that this would be the best Council the City ever had. He stated
<br />nothing has changed his mind, and this is the best Council the City has ever had. He requested
<br />the Council persevere, as there were many people behind them. He added that he was aware that
<br />this was a difficult job, and most of the people recognize this.
<br />Mr. Jahnke stated he believed the majority of people want to pay for their services, however, one
<br />of the issues is that the fee increased from 2.5 to 4 percent, which caused a problem in terms of
<br />communication, and he believed this should be looked at. He stated another issue is that the
<br />people have been told many things, which have changed. He explained that he understood that
<br />the franchise fee would go into a road fund, and he had no problem with this, however, if it goes
<br />into the General Fund, which is supposed to bail out the golf course for $200,000, that is
<br />different. He stated the people are thinking that if the golf course situation worsens, more of this
<br />fee will be directed to it. He stated these were the fears and concerns of the people.
<br />Mr. Jahnke stated he has discussed many things with Mayor Coughlin, and the Mayor has even
<br />called him and apologized for a statement he had made. He stated he really commends that type
<br />of honesty. He stated he did not think, and has been given no reason to think, that the comment
<br />regarding "backroom dealings" is appropriate.
<br />Mayor Coughlin requested Mr. Jahnke remain at the meeting for the consideration of the
<br />following resolution, which will designate the funds. He explained, in terms of communication,
<br />he has been one of the mayor proponents of putting every commission meeting on cable
<br />television. He explained that the only commission meeting that is not broadcast is that of the
<br />Charter Commission, and he will request, once again, they consider televising their meetings, as
<br />this is the citizens' Charter.
<br />Mr. Obert stated once again, it appeared that the audience misunderstood his comments. He
<br />explained he did not accuse anybody of conducting "backroom dealings" nor did he do this in
<br />regard to the Bel Ray issue, or the telephone operated water meters. He explained he was simply
<br />attempting to communicate that this was the perception this issue conveyed. He stated his major
<br />concern with this proposal is this perception. He stated he had not read the Streets Policies
<br />Committee report, which was indicated to state that the assessment was reduced to 25 percent,
<br />with an outside funding source to pick up the balance. He inquired if the report had indicated a
<br />1.5- percent increase in the franchise fee. He explained that this represented the communication
<br />problem. He stated this matter had been rushed along, with consideration that date, and then
<br />enactment. He stated there was a difference between a street commission's recommendation and
<br />discussion, and the enactment that was being proposed that date. He stated through the years,
<br />one of his frustrations has been in regard to the difficulty in getting word out to the community.
<br />He stated there must be better notification, and as a Charter City, the citizens' input is necessary.
<br />Mr. Obert stated he was aware that the Council was honorable, and had not conducted a
<br />"backroom deal" however, there are citizens who are still angry regarding previous actions
<br />• because of the way in which they were handled. He reiterated there were no "backroom deals,"
<br />and he was not accusing anyone of this, however, this was the perception. He requested they try
<br />something different and attempt to get the people more involved.
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