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Ramsey's needs. She did not support a goal of getting fees as low as possible, but to set <br /> reasonable fees. Councilmember Strommen suggested the Council consider the scale of change <br /> that can be made. She asked whether small reductions in fees will make a difference in the way <br /> Ramsey grows. She believed people decide to build in a certain location not based on several <br /> thousand dollars but considering the schools, quality of life, and jobs. Councilmember <br /> Strommen stated she wants to assure the Council is putting effort in the right place, noting there <br /> may be other issues such as process. <br /> Councilmember McGlone stated he does not want to put residents of Ramsey behind the "8 ball" <br /> and wants Ramsey to be competitive. He stated as he looks at the case report, the League of <br /> Minnesota Cities' recommendation was to come up with a number (15 %) and to not forget to <br /> look at other cities to see what they are charging before you set your rates. Councilmember <br /> McGlone felt when government entities and employees look at other governments it only goes <br /> one way, up. He feels the City is doing the same thing and the trend is up without a basis other <br /> than the League said to charge 15% and make sure others are doing the same. Councilmember <br /> McGlone stated a lot goes into how the fees are set and he thinks the Council needs to consider <br /> the kind of community it is building, Minneapolis or Ramsey. <br /> Councilmember Strommen noted the Comprehensive Plan tells the Council the type of City <br /> being built and that Plan is updated. She indicated the Council uses the information it has at the <br /> time and the City is in one place in progression toward that goal but other communities are in <br /> different stages, some with and some without the infrastructure. She noted Ramsey is in the <br /> middle and still needs to build infrastructure and figure out how to pay for it. <br /> Deputy City Administrator Nelson explained that for staff's purposes it would be good to <br /> separate the issues. The City will be conducting sewer and water studies to determine trunk and <br /> lateral costs, capital costs, and how to pay for it. That is a separate issue. With building permit <br /> fees, the Council can decide if it wants to select another value -based calculation or to only look <br /> at what it costs. She explained how to determine an analysis based on a labor multiplier formula. <br /> Councilmember McGlone stated he understands government has the right to recoup costs but <br /> questioned where is the line and what is justifiable. <br /> Deputy City Administrator Nelson asked what number the Council is comfortable with for the <br /> City to encourage development and cover costs. She noted that 65% of the City's costs are for <br /> police services, which has to be covered as well. <br /> Councilmember McGlone noted police services also benefit current residents. <br /> Mayor Ramsey stated the staff report is based on roundtable input from developers who <br /> indicated the fees were not the big issue; it was the extra requirements such as copper pipe for <br /> water connections. Mayor Ramsey indicated that 2012 rates and fees need to be adopted tonight <br /> and these other issues cannot be solved in one night. <br /> Deputy City Administrator Nelson pointed out that some fees are proposed to be lowered in <br /> 2012. <br /> City Council Work Session / December 13, 2011 <br /> Page3of7 <br />