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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes <br />March 22, 2005 <br />Page 2 <br />Washington Office has a staff of 13, and there is always an intern. The district office has a staff <br />of 6 full time, and 1 part time, and an intern. The district office is more involved in constituent <br />3 service, while the Washington office is more involved in legislation. She said their main duty in <br />4 the district office is to serve the constituents. She said if any of the Councilmembers and their <br />5 constituents has problems with federal agencies, they should call the district office, and a case <br />6 worker will work as an ombudsman. She also said they can get copies of any bills needed at the <br />7 district office. She explained they also process applicants for the military academies. All cadets <br />8 need a congressional appointment. They can only appoint young people from the district. The <br />9 Congressman can have 5 cadets at any time at each of the 3 academies. She noted that flags can <br />10 be flown over the capital for individuals. She suggested this makes a good gift. Ms. Anderson <br />11 further noted that the district office takes messages for people who want to tell their <br />12 Congressman how to vote. She said he is aware of all the messages that come in and he will <br />13 respond to them in due time. She also indicated that the district office receives 10 VIP tickets <br />14 every week for Whitehouse tours. Though they go quickly, it is first come, first served. She also <br />15 said they can get other tickets to the FBI, Senate Galleries, and maps. <br />16 <br />17 Mayor Faust thanked her on behalf of the City and the Council. He stated that Congressman <br />18 Sabo has been exceedingly kind to the city. In the late 1980s and early 1990, Congressman Sabo <br />19 was able to secure close to $10 million in funding for the water purification plant. Also, he <br />20 recently secured $750,000 for the new redevelopment. Mayor Faust said Ms. Anderson has been <br />21 the point of contact for the district office. Mayor Faust said he is pleased that Congressman <br />22 Sabo, and his expertise, is available when the City needs help. He said he looks forward to <br />having Congressman Sabo in the Village Fest parade this year again. <br />25 B. Consider Resolution 05 -029, re: Community Survey. <br />26 Mr. Morrison indicated that the last time a Community Survey was done was in 2001. He said <br />27 that one of the goals of 2005 is the Value of Services Survey. He noted Staff met with Decision <br />28 Resources and they provided a proposal to perform a 50- question survey for $10,200 plus a <br />29 charge of $135 for each additional question. <br />30 <br />31 Motion by Councilmember Thuesen, seconded by Councilmember Stille, to adopt Resolution 05- <br />32 029, re: A Resolution Approving a Survey Research Proposal with Decision Resources for a sum <br />33 of $10,200. <br />34 <br />35 Motion carried unanimously. <br />36 <br />37 C. Consider Resolution 05 -030, re: City Website changing to GovOffice. <br />38 Mr. Morrison reviewed the resolution with the Council and indicated that there are two reasons to <br />39 make this change. First, it gives Staff the ability to make the changes. The other reason is that it <br />40 will save almost $7,000 per year to make this change. He noted GovOffice is affiliated with the <br />41 League of Minnesota Cities. <br />42 <br />43 Councilmember Thuesen commented that in his seven years of being on the Council, he has <br />44 heard residents ask how to do business in order to save costs. He said that on the surface, $7,000 <br />1; may not sound like a lot, but it does add up quickly. He noted it shows the City is serious about <br />using taxpayers' money efficiently. <br />47 <br />