Laserfiche WebLink
Mayor Ramsey stated it would be an assistant to the City Administrator. <br />Councilmember Backous asked about the secretary for the Fire Department and joint efforts with <br />surrounding communities. <br />City Administrator Ulrich stated the Fire Services Study group will make a presentation on April <br />12, 2012, to collective councils and move forward with additional study using a consultant. It <br />will take a year to 18 months to get a consolidated department of three to five communities. He <br />indicated he can look at the work program in earnest to assure it addresses the Council's highest <br />priorities with economic development. City Administrator Ulrich noted another option is to use <br />a consultant with economic development and financing expertise <br />Councilmember Backous asked about efforts to stay in touch with existing businesses. <br />City Administrator Ulrich stated a suggestion has been made to leverage EDA members as <br />volunteers to make those visits and identify business expansions. He indicated staff has a list of <br />companies that are planning expansion so it is crucial to stay in contact and be aware of their <br />plans so they don't move to another community. <br />Councilmember Elvig commented on the long history of Ramsey having to fight for identity and <br />far reaching impact of a past decision to not have a high school within Ramsey. He noted TIF <br />has been used to fund road maintenance but also water towers and to attract business /industry <br />with the goal of getting different employers and building a tax base. Councilmember Elvig <br />stated the task tonight is to determine a funding mechanism and some sort of budget reduction. <br />He proposed the road construction program be set at $1.5 million a year, and noted a $7 /month <br />franchise fee would raise $1.5 million for road projects. Councilmember Elvig stated a franchise <br />fee is an isolated expense, not buried in the budget or a fund that could be used elsewhere. He <br />proposed the budget be reduced by 12 %, resulting in an $80 reduction in annual taxes for most <br />property owners, and then added an $80 /year franchise fee. He stated he found the proposal <br />presented by City Administrator Ulrich was reasonable, a good start, and he would support <br />outsourcing, if needed. <br />Mayor Ramsey agreed it is a start but does not address reconstructing roads and only pays for <br />overlay and sealcoats. <br />Public Works Director Olson advised there is about $750,000 in sealcoating and overlay and <br />another $750,000 to begin a road program. He noted staff identified the cost per mile for <br />sealcoating and overlay, based on a 40 -year life cycle, and divided that cost amongst the number <br />of miles to reconstruct. He explained that $3 million would address about 3.5 miles of local <br />roadways a year. <br />Councilmember Elvig stated there is no assessments included in his proposal. <br />Mayor Ramsey noted the EDA meets every month but perhaps they could meet every other <br />month, saving staff time /costs, and take on business retention efforts the month they don't hold a <br />regular meeting. <br />City Council Work Session / March 20, 2012 <br />Page 7 of 12 <br />