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<br />MAYOR, COUNCIL AND STAFF INPUT <br /> <br />Strate2ic Plannin2 Session A2enda <br /> <br />Ciz Administrator Ulrich distributed a draft agenda for the planning session for February 11 and <br />12 from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig asked if there would be a reason to have our planning session after the <br />Newly Elected officials meeting put on by the League of Minnesota Cities. <br /> <br />City Administrator Ulrich stated that his concern is that at every meeting the Council is making <br />decisions based on our priorities and so, time is of the essence. <br /> <br />Mayor Ramsey suggested that one of the sessions be held before and the other be held after. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig suggested that the City hold these two sessions, as planned, and then hold <br />another session after the Newly Elected officials meeting. <br /> <br />City Administrator Ulrich stated that this is a good suggestion and there can be a work session <br />topic after that Newly Elected Officials meeting. He stated that the other item he has is a request <br />from Councilmember Dehen regarding the hearing process. <br /> <br />The Hearin2 Process <br /> <br />Councilmember Dehen explained that this conversation came about when a resident had a few <br />violations and it was going to be heard by the full Council. He stated that the problem is that the <br />City can have a challenge just to have a challenge. He stated that in the civil courts you can <br />challenge, but if you do not prevail, you will have to pay the legal costs for the other side. He <br />stated that he would like to have a filing fee, similar to the abatement fee, and, if you prevail, you <br />get the fee back. He stated that he would like people to have some "skin in the game". <br /> <br />Mayor Ramsey stated that he asked what that does to the board deciding whether there is guilt or <br />not because now the City has "skin in the game" too because of the fee that was paid. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dehen stated that this kind of thing happens everyday in the court system and he <br />doesn't think you determine the case on whether someone pays a fee or not. <br /> <br />City Administrator Ulrich reminded the Council that this would be a topic for a future work <br />session or for a Council meeting. <br /> <br />Mayor Ramsey stated that when this issue came up, our code states that the City "must" impose. <br />He stated that he would like to discuss changing this to "may" impose. <br /> <br />Councilmember Jeffrey stated that he feels this is selective enforcement. <br /> <br />City Council Work Session / February 3, 2009 <br />Page 14 of 15 <br />