Minutes - 2003/03/24 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Mounds View City Council March 24, 2003 Regular Meeting Page 4 Council Member Stigney requested that Item B removed for discussion. MOTION/SECOND: Marty/Stigney. To Approve Consent Agenda Item A as Presented. Ayes - 4 Nays - 0 Motion carried. Council Member Stigney asked Ken Gammel why he had changed his recommendation from two digital decks to one digital and one analog. Ken Gammel explained that Council was concerned that there was $3,000 allotted for replacement decks and the price for the two digital decks was $4,200 so he had compromised to stay within the budgeted amount. Mayor Linke asked whether it saves the City money in the long run to go with the cheaper analog deck or if the expenditure should be made now to save money in the long run. Ken Gammel indicated that it would be optimistic that the analog deck would last five years but said that other professional decks have lasted for 10 years. Council Member Stigney commented that the deck should last longer since it costs eight times as • much as the analog deck. He then commented that he is not sold that digital decks are the way to go since he feels they may drop in price if the City waits as they have dropped in half in the last two years and the maintenance of digital equipment is more costly. Ken Gammel indicated the price came down around $500.00 compared to a few years ago but it did not drop in half. He then said that he agreed when new technology emerges it carries a larger price tag but he has never seen professional decks go below $1800 and he would not expect the digital decks to go to half price in a few years. Council Member Stigney commented that he does not think this is the smartest thing to spend the money on as the City could replace a number of analog decks before exceeding the price of maintenance and purchase of the digital decks. Council Member Marty indicated he had some of the same concerns but feels the Staff recommendation is the way to go at this time and wait until the City's financial forecast is more sound before discussing further digital equipment. Mayor Linke asked if the figures included the tax. Ken Gammel indicated that purchasing the equipment over the Internet eliminates the need to pay tax. Finance Director Hansen indicated that even if the vendor does not charge the City the tax the City is required to pay it to the state of Minnesota.