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<br />City Administrator Ulrich stated that this is the example of why the right sizing was included <br />because there may be the perception that the City is overstaffed because of the economy. He <br />stated that this is to help facilitate conversation about the transition. <br /> <br />Councilmember Olson stated that she struggled with the right sizing piece. She stated that if <br />staff deems that something is necessary and there is appropriate funding, she expects that it is <br />right sized and if it hasn't been funded as much as they need to, then it is not, but without <br />looking back to last year to see where the City is in the budget sequence, then she doesn't know <br />if it is right sized. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig stated that it sounds like staff would like the Council to take a swing at <br />this and see what comes out of it, even if the Council feels it doesn't have all the background <br />information. <br /> <br />Councilmember Jeffrey stated that it seems like it is throwing darts in the dark. <br /> <br />Councilmember Look stated that the City needs to figure out "needs" versus "wants". He stated <br />that to a certain degree these will fall into one or the other and once the needs are determined that <br />can be set aside; then the City can start focusing on what the wants are and try to see where cuts <br />can come from. He agrees with Councilmember Jeffrey because he doesn't think the City can <br />cut police and fire, so there is obviously a hierarchy. <br /> <br />City Administrator Ulrich stated that staff went through the document to test it and it seemed to <br />work out and there were general priorities that staff saw. He stated that he believes that the <br />Council has a perception of where the City wants to get to, but at this point, he would be <br />interested to see where the Council is coming from and what activities they feel are important <br />and other areas that they think may be eliminated. <br /> <br />Councilmember Look stated that he had a college professor who taught business part time. He <br />stated that what the professor did was go to businesses and say, "If! can save you money, then I <br />get a percentage of the money", and this is how he made a living. He asked if there was an <br />outside, independent entity the City could contact to see where they think the City can make <br />cuts. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig stated that he thinks that staff is looking to find three or four perspectives <br />from different areas to possibly do what Councilmember Look is describing. He stated that he <br />thought the City has AMM and things like the League that can do these reviews. He stated that <br />he thought there was a group like that, that came in and took a look at some departments and <br />made recommendations. <br /> <br />Councilmember Strommen stated that she thinks the idea is based on some of the things the <br />Council has heard from residents, and to see how that relates to City services. She stated that she <br />doesn't think it is supposed to be more technical than that. <br /> <br />City Administrator Ulrich stated that he would really like it if the Council would just take 10 or <br />15 minutes and whip through this and give their feedback. <br /> <br />City Council Work Session / October 28, 2008 <br />Page 4 of6 <br />