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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes <br /> April 13, 2004 02 <br /> Page 2 <br /> 1 Commissioner Wiessner provided Council with informational packets, explaining what types of <br /> 2 material were included. She indicated she would give highlights regarding the provided <br /> 3 information; however, she wanted Councilmembers to have further details available for review at <br /> 4 their leisure. <br /> 5 <br /> 6 Commissioner Wiessner stated the budget challenges were the biggest news item, as major <br /> 7 decreases in State and Federal budgets, grants, State aid money, etc., had been realized. She <br /> 8 noted a summary budget including further details was provided in the packet. <br /> 9 <br /> 10 Commissioner Wiessner indicated the public had a hard time understanding the problems, as <br /> 11 Ramsey County had decreased its budget by$20 million; however, its levy was increasing <br /> 12 approximately 5.6%,which was caused by the decrease in revenue sources against obligations <br /> 13 that had to be funded. She noted significant cuts were made in discretionary items. <br /> 14 <br /> 15 Commissioner Wiessner explained that the County was the arm of the state and responsible for <br /> 16 implementation of State laws. She indicated approximately 90% of the County's activities were <br /> 17 mandated by State law, which left 10%that was discretionary. She added, unfortunately, much <br /> 18 of the discretionary spending went toward preventative items and important services to the <br /> 19 communities. <br /> 20 <br /> 21 Commissioner Wiessner stated she wished to remind Council of the services provided by the <br /> 22 County, indicating approximately 2/3 of its budget was human services and corrections. She <br /> 23 added she "wanted to brag" about Ramsey County's receipt of a Triple A rating and the <br /> 24 compliments given to the County for its fiscal management. <br /> 25 <br /> 26 Commissioner Wiessner noted the County had decreased approximately 300 positions; however, <br /> 27 it had only experienced 20 layoffs. She added approximately 300 more people working with <br /> 28 non-profit organizations lost jobs because of less County spending. <br /> 29 <br /> 30 Commissioner Wiessner indicated she wanted to mention awards received by the County. She <br /> 31 stated the County's library system had been recognized as one of the top eight in the nation in <br /> 32 communities of similar population. She explained the rating was based on best practices, cost <br /> 33 per capita, books per capita, number of employees, etc. She also stated the County's Parks <br /> 34 Department was recognized by a national organization as being one of only three Parks and <br /> 35 Recreation Departments in the State of Minnesota that was accredited. <br /> 36 <br /> 37 Commissioner Wiessner noted one of the new services available was the acceptance of yard <br /> 38 waste in compost sites. She indicated the closest sites for residents of St. Anthony Village were <br /> 39 located in Mounds View and Arden Hills. <br /> 40 <br /> 41 Commissioner Wiessner indicated the County's HRA had received a request from Saint Anthony <br /> 42 Village for$350,000 and noted the County's staff would be recommending the County provide <br /> 43 $350,000 for the new development to be located on the Apache Plaza site. She added the <br /> 44 meeting would take place on May 4. <br /> 45 <br />