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Mayor Ramsey referenced the fee for billable staff time for events or professional services and <br /> stated he thinks the 2.3 rate may be low because if staff is gone for a day the City cannot utilize <br /> that staff person and may have to pay overtime. <br /> Councilmember McGlone asked if consideration of the rate schedule is time sensitive. <br /> Finance Director Lund advised it needs to be adopted by the first of the year in order to charge <br /> the fees. He noted the majority of the rates are not changing and the utility rates that are <br /> changing will go out in April. <br /> Councilmember McGlone stated his support to table further consideration because the Council <br /> had not yet discussed the costs to do business in Ramsey or seen the results of an open house <br /> with developers to help the City decide if its rates and fees are in line. He requested detail on <br /> how many fees for park dedication are being saved to go towards future capital improvement, if <br /> any. Rather than considering this item on tonight's Consent Agenda, Councilmember McGlone <br /> supported additional Council discussion on these issues including whether the City wants to take <br /> more parkland or park fee. <br /> Councilmember Tossey agreed except for the fees required by State Statute that have to be <br /> followed. He noted that the Council met with the Planning Commission in May to discuss <br /> development issues and now it is November. Councilmember Tossey supported taking action to <br /> make Ramsey a friendly place to do business. <br /> Mayor Ramsey stated staff has surveyed other cities relating fees and is basing its <br /> recommendation on those findings; however, the Council has not yet seen that information. <br /> City Administrator Ulrich indicated that presentation of the survey results is scheduled for the <br /> November 22, 2011, meeting and that information is incorporated into this fee schedule. He <br /> stated this consideration can be delayed until December if the Council wants to first review <br /> development fees. <br /> Mayor Ramsey noted the 2012 Rate Schedule ordinance is on the consent agenda for <br /> introduction. <br /> City Clerk Thieling advised the Council can take longer than a month after introduction but if <br /> major changes are made the Council may want to reintroduce the ordinance. <br /> Councilmember Strommen noted the 2012 fee schedule is already a product of staff based on <br /> information gleaned and asked whether the Council would have major changes to the fee <br /> schedule. <br /> City Administrator Ulrich explained that to raise the Council's comfort level it could take time to <br /> look at development fees and staff's research with consideration to approve scheduled at the end <br /> of the year or beginning of next year. <br /> City Council Work Session / November 7, 2011 <br /> Page 7 of 10 <br />