Agenda - Council - 12/13/2011 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mayor Ramsey referenced the fee for billable staff time for events or professional services and stated he thinks the 2.3 rate may be low because if staff is gone for a day the City cannot utilize that staff person and may have to pay overtime. Councilmember McGlone asked if consideration of the rate schedule is time sensitive. Finance Director Lund advised it needs to be adopted by the first of the year in order to charge the fees. He noted the majority of the rates are not changing and the utility rates that are changing will go out in April. Councilmember McGlone stated his support to table further consideration because the Council had not yet discussed the costs to do business in Ramsey or seen the results of an open house with developers to help the City decide if its rates and fees are in line. He requested detail on how many fees for park dedication are being saved to go towards future capital improvement, if any. Rather than considering this item on tonight's Consent Agenda, Councilmember McGlone supported additional Council discussion on these issues including whether the City wants to take more parkland or park fee. Councilmember Tossey agreed except for the fees required by State Statute that have to be followed. He noted that the Council met with the Planning Commission in May to discuss development issues and now it is November. Councilmember Tossey supported taking action to make Ramsey a friendly place to do business. Mayor Ramsey stated staff has surveyed other cities relating fees and is basing its recommendation on those findings; however, the Council has not yet seen that information. City Administrator Ulrich indicated that presentation of the survey results is scheduled for the November 22, 2011, meeting and that information is incorporated into this fee schedule. He stated this consideration can be delayed until December if the Council wants to first review development fees. Mayor Ramsey noted the 2012 Rate Schedule ordinance is on the consent agenda for introduction. City Clerk Thieling advised the Council can take longer than a month after introduction but if major changes are made the Council may want to reintroduce the ordinance. Councilmember Strommen noted the 2012 fee schedule is already a product of staff based on information gleaned and asked whether the Council would have major changes to the fee schedule. City Administrator Ulrich explained that to raise the Council's comfort level it could take time to look at development fees and staffs research with consideration to approve scheduled at the end of the year or beginning of next year. City Council Work Session / November 7, 2011 Page7of10