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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes April 9, 2002 Page 3 2 VI. REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONS AND STAFF. 3 1 Informational report on the North Metro Mayors Association. 4 Mayor Hodson noted that Joseph Strauss, Executive Vice President and COO of the 5 North Metro Mayors Association, could not attend this evening's meeting. He indicated 6 that Bob Benke, former Mayor of New Brighton and current advisor to the North Metro 7 Mayors Association, was here in his place. 8 9 Mayor Hodson proposed that the City of St. Anthony not join the Association in 2002, 10 but stated that he would like for St. Anthony to be able to attend the meetings in order to 11 budget for the dues for 2003. 12 13 Benke came forward to provide the Council with a few details for the purpose of 14 encouraging the City of St. Anthony to rejoin the association. He indicated that St. 15 Anthony was one of the original charter members of the North Metro Mayors 16 Association. 17 18 Mayor Hodson stated his understanding that the membership fee for the City of St. 19 Anthony would be $4100 per year, for which they needed to budget. 20 21 Councilmember Thuesen stated that the organization does benefit communities that are involved with the association. He wondered what type of benefits the City of St. Anthony would experience being on the edge of the communities that are involved with 24 the organization. Benke responded that the number one benefit of the association was 25 strength in numbers. He added that, collectively, there is a strength that draws the 26 attention of the governor and legislators, who can respond to the concerns that are 27 presented as a group, rather than as individuals. 28 29 Councilmember Thuesen stated that they would be the smallest community to belong to 30 the association and asked if their needs and concerns would be met. Benke stated that 31 their needs would absolutely be met. He continued that the Board of Directors is 32 comprised of the Mayor and the City Manager for each of the cities belonging to the 33 association. 34 35 Councilmember Sparks asked if there was a staff with the organization. Benke stated 36 that they were staffed by Joseph Strauss and Sarah Edberg. 37 38 Councilmember Sparks asked about lobbying. Benke indicated that they contract for 39 lobby services. He stated that their primary lobbyist is Phil Cohen through Government 40 and Enterprise Services. 41 42 Councilmember Horst asked for the total budget of the association, and what the money 43 is spent on. Benke stated that the current budget was about $400,000, and that it goes to organizational management, communication activity, advocacy, lobbying activity, etc. Benke added that he did not have a list of the specifics of the budget, but would be happy 46 to provide the Council with a copy.