02-18-2022 SCC - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council February 18, 2022 Special Meeting Page 6 provided for petitions in the State of Minnesota. He indicated the Secretary of State proposes those rules, which go through a rulemaking process that is publicly noticed and publicly commented on before it is implemented in the Minnesota rules. He stated from the standpoint of the rules, they were in place to guide and provide a structure that he and the County can utilize for analyzing petitions that are submitted. He explained the rules give an outline, guidance and factors that should be utilized. He reported one cannot just look the other way when it comes to the rules. He noted minor deficiencies can be corrected, which was the expectation from the meeting that was held two week ago, but this has not happened at this point in time. Mayor Mueller indicated the Council has a Resolution before them that would reaffirm the Council’s position regarding a petition that was filed. She explained the Council anticipated they would be receiving an amended petition, but this was not presented. She reviewed the options that were before the Council as presented by staff. She discussed the comments that have been made throughout this process. She reiterated that the Charter Commission has publicly worked on this topic for over a year. She indicated joint meetings were held with the Charter Commission during this time and the Finance Director presents a picture of the City’s financial health and stability on an annual basis. She noted the City holds Truth in Taxation meetings on an annual basis and it is explained that diminishing City reserves are being used to balance the budget to pay for essential services that are being provided to the community. She commented the Charter Commission had discussed these matters at great length and passed on a 6-3 vote an Ordinance that came before the City Council for consideration. She reported the members of the Charter Commission are residents of the community as well. She stated that as this Ordinance was reviewed from the Charter Commission, and the Council followed the letter of State law, a public hearing was held last December and there was great discussion. She indicated the Council has had discussions regarding its budget and deficit spending at, at least three meetings per year. She noted staff continues to show how the reserves diminish to the point a future Council will not be able to sustain the current level of services being provided to the community. In that discussion, and in receipt of the information from the Charter Commission, the Council voted unanimously to pass Ordinance 984. She stated as the Council goes through this process, the City Council was following the letter of the law and was serving the residents as they were elected to do. She discussed the Council’s next steps and asked for comments or questions from the remaining Councilmembers. Council Member Meehlhause stated Mayor Mueller had summarized the history of this situation well. He indicated he had no further comments. Council Member Hull concurred. Council Member Cermak explained as the newest member of the City Council she has learned that when Commissions are asked to make a recommendation to the Council, she was going to listen thoro ughly to what they have to say and to their recommendation. She stat ed she does not take her votes on the City Council lightly and when things were recommended to her regarding the tax levy, she fully supported Ordinance 984. She thanked the Mayor for summarizing this topic so well and she hoped that the City would be able to get this matter resolved in a timely manner in order to move the City forward. Council Member Hull asked if the City has crossed every “T” and dotted every “I”. City Attorney