Laserfiche WebLink
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes <br />August 23, 2022 <br />Page 3 <br />1 Mayor Stille commented that the City has always passed on its costs in order to spread those <br />2 costs over the full service area. <br />3 <br />4 Ms. Rueckert acknowledged that there is benefit in the economy of scale. <br />5 <br />6 Councilmember Webster commented that she likes that the presentation includes the annual and <br />7 monthly costs for homeowners for City services and asked if future presentations could include <br />8 the costs currently paid compared to the proposed increase. <br />9 <br />10 Ms. Rueckert confirmed that she could include that information in future presentations. <br />11 <br />12 Councilmember Walker stated that it is good to hear about the additional firefighter and <br />13 paramedic positions. He asked if the Safer Grant amount has been stated. <br />14 <br />15 Ms. Rueckert replied that the Safer grant would cover the cost for those positions for three years. <br />16 She stated that staff is still waiting to hear the results of that grant application. <br />17 <br />18 Councilmember Jenson stated that there was a lot of detailed information presented and <br />19 complimented staff for also including the thought process and rationale for developing the <br />20 budget. He acknowledged the transparent budget process Ms. Rueckert has developed and <br />21 thanked her for that. <br />22 <br />23 Mayor Stille also thanked Ms. Rueckert. He stated that he was apprehensive going into the <br />24 budget process because of the increases in the economy. He acknowledged the new things and <br />25 staff that will be coming to the community in an effort to continue to provide better service to the <br />26 community. He acknowledged that the Fire Chief has been patient in waiting for additional <br />27 firefighters and that will be gained through this budget. He referenced the retention item and <br />28 noted that the City would rather retain good employees instead of hiring and training new staff <br />29 members. He also acknowledged the training for new Police Officers which is an important step <br />30 in the process for a safe community. <br />31 <br />32 VII.REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER AND COUNCIL MEMBERS. <br />33 <br />34 Councilmember Jenson stated he attended the Ramsey County local government meeting for <br />35 August. <br />36 <br />37 Mayor Stille stated he attended the Executive Committee meeting for the Mississippi Water <br />38 Management Organization at which the budget was discussed. He stated that he was also <br />39 privileged to attend the Class A Amateur Baseball Tournament and throw out the first pitch. <br />40 <br />41 VIII.COMMUNITY FORUM. <br />42 <br />43 Mayor Stille invited residents to come forward at this time and address the Council on items that <br />44 are not on the regular agenda. <br />45 <br />46 Hearing none, Mayor Stille moved forward with the agenda.