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Mounds View City Council March 10, 2003 <br />Regular Meeting Page 8 <br />Council Member Stigney asked what MARCO was. <br />Finance Director Hansen indicated that MARCO is the Minnesota Association of Housing Code <br />Officials. <br />Council Member Stigney asked what MSSA was. <br />Finance Director Hansen indicated that MSSA is the Minnesota Street Superintendents <br />Association. <br />Council Member Stigney indicated that it seems to him that Staff does not realize there is a <br />budget crunch with the proposed cutbacks to LGA and he would like to give Council direction <br />through the City Administrator to have Staff look at ways of cutting back. <br />Council Member Marty suggested a moratorium on spending and said it bothers him to be <br />discussing spending money as if things are normal and the City is not expected to lose money. <br />Council Member Quick said he felt that Council should have held an immediate meeting to <br />discuss the budget and spending issues if Members are so worried about it rather than waiting <br />until March 17, 2003 to give Staff a clear idea of Council wishes with regard to spending. <br />Council Member Stigney indicated the reason he had brought it up is he would like the City <br />Administrator to let Staff know that Council does not want to see any of these expenses until the <br />City knows how the budget crisis will be resolved. <br />Finance Director Hansen explained that there is a substantial lead time from the time that the <br />department makes the decision to buy something to when that claim shows up on the claim list at <br />least a month or two. He then said that a motion from Council would give Staff clear directive as <br />comments from one or two members does not. <br />Mayor Linke indicated it would be more prudent to say not to spend anything that is not <br />absolutely necessary for the function of the City as directing Staff by motion not to spend money <br />could stop the operations of the City. <br />Mayor Linke directed Staff to review the spending, watch what they are spending and buying, <br />and make sure all spending is approved by the City Administrator and Finance Director so that <br />Council knows that money is being spent wisely. <br />Council Member Stigney indicated that no money should be spent on nonessential items. <br />Interim City Administrator Ericson indicated that he would communicate to Staff that no <br />nonessential expenditures are to be made. <br />Mayor Linke asked Staff to hold off on any items that are in the works that can be stopped. <br />