Minutes - Council - 07/21/1992 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilmeml~er peterson stated it's not a good idea to invest money in equipment and then not have the mo~ey to maintain it. Mr. Schroeder; pointed out that commercial property pays four times more taxes than single family homes and o~ of~95 communities, Ramsey is the 73rd lowest taxer. He added that if Council is satisfied with ~vhune the City is at, things can be left as is; however, if the intent is to build a bigger Police and Fin: I~partment, then the tax base cannot remain so low. Councilmem§er Peterson stated that people who get the services should pay for them but not necessarily to~ay.for fire and police calls. Mayor Gilbertson inquired if City Hall receives a lot of calls regarding taxes to which Mr. Schroeder r0plied.usually only at the time of Board of Review. Councilmember Peterson mentioned referendums, bond funding, creative financing, etc., as sources of revenue. Councilmember Zimmerman felt that taxes should increase at a reasonable rate with reasonable, according to him, being about 10%. Councilmember Peterson inquired how much more taxes are being generated by development. Mr. Schroedel stated that Windemere Woods, Cedar Hills, etc., are in the TIF District so the City won't see anything, .7 until after the year 2000. At that time, the City will get a substantml' sum back. He added that~some revenue could be generated through the Economic Development Authority. K) Comraunity Aesthetics Previously discussed under E, F, G and H. L) Management Style City Administrator Schroeder stated management means City Council. Councilmember Zimmerman felt Council hasn't been very aggressive in pursuing businesses. Councilmeml:}er Peterson stated Council shouldn't panic and "take in crap" with regard to business development.: Mayor Gilbe~sor~ felt that all the good development is bypassing the City of Ramsey and going into the City of Elk River. He feels marketing has a lot to do with development. He felt Ramsey needs to crc-ale a density of activity. What it's got now is a lot of auto related activity but added that this is nol: necessarily negative. Councilmember Zimmerman commented that the amount of open space left for business development Was.good. Councilmeml~er Peterson felt that the bad part of the open space is that a business doesn't know what will be: next to them. Mr. Schroeder mentioned it would be nice to have entrance signs at either end of the City to which Council agreexl. City Council Goals Workshop/July 21, 1992 Page 7 of 8