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end that the services that matter (transportation, roads, police, fire) are being addressed. <br />Councilmember Tossey stated he does not doubt that Assistant to the City Administrator Brama <br />can do this job, and may have already been undertaking these functions. However, he does not <br />know what has changed over the last 12 months to consider this restructuring. He stated he <br />could support the restructuring as long as it does not include hiring any consultants. <br />Councilmember Backous suggested staff add the potential property tax revenue on deals under <br />consideration, noting that revenue will pay for roads, police, and fire. <br />Councilmember Tossey stated in the end people will come after economic development, but he <br />does not support a primary focus on economic development or growing government. He stated <br />he does not want this Council to lose its focus. <br />Mayor Strommen stated it is about the relationship with current and future businesses, such as <br />visiting with them to determine why they located in Ramsey and their needs. Another task is to <br />have conversations with potential businesses to negotiate deals for them to locate in Ramsey. <br />She stated in a way she likes the integrated strategy but wants to assure the City is sending a <br />signal that it is committed to creating a model that is the best possible. She asked staff to provide <br />an analysis of what Economic Development Manager LaFrance has brought to Ramsey in the <br />past year related to business retention so the Council can better understand the recommended <br />shift. <br />Councilmember Backous stated the frustration is that the City owns land and manipulates the <br />market by developing that land. He stated the City should not be doing that but should just make <br />sure it can provide the most required services to residents at the lowest cost rather than `taxing <br />residents to death.' Councilmember Backous felt the City's economic efforts in the past few <br />months have paid off. <br />Councilmember Tossey stated that occurred because CBRE was hired to do that and Assistant to <br />the City Administrator Brama has been working with them to run that property inventory. He <br />stated he is fine with that function for Assistant to the City Administrator Brama and agreed it <br />was a good decision to hire CBRE. Councilmember Tossey stated his problem is with the staff <br />presentation and over emphasis on economic development rather than roads and low taxes for <br />all, which is what will bring in businesses. He stated another consideration is having a market <br />for the product offered. Councilmember Tossey stated he worries that a push for economic <br />development results in attempting to push the proverbial `square peg through a round hole.' <br />Mayor Strommen referenced the list of work tasks and described the recommended shifts. <br />Councilmember Tossey urged caution so a development consultant is not again hired. <br />Mayor Strommen stated she has no doubts that Assistant to the City Administrator Brama can do <br />this job but she is not familiar with his skill set relating to finances. She noted if that information <br />is considered, it may show a gap where additional training is required or a consultant may be <br />needed. <br />City Council Work Session / August 26, 2014 <br />Page 6 of 9 <br />