Minutes - Council - 10/20/1987 - Special

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Motion by Councilmember Pearson and seconded by Councilmember Sorteberg to approve the agenda as discussed. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Reimann, Councilmembers Sorteberg, Cox, DeLuca and Pearson. Voting No: None. COUNCIL BUSINESS C~se #1: Case #10 - 1988 Budget: Mr. Hartley provided Council with a listing of services being provided by the city and suggested that in reviewing the budget needs, Council discuss what services are being provided, what services should be provided and what the public expects from local government. Mayor Reimann referred to recent requests to add a key communicator program into Ramsey's 1988 budget and stated he was willing to try the program for one year but has changed his mind since the School District forced a bond issue against the wishes of a lot of people. Mayor Reimann stated that the bond issue should have been better publicized and placed on a regular election ballot when a better turn-out of people in the district is expected. Mayor Reimann stated that the School District used fear tactics to get the levy passed by publicizing that programs would be cut if the levy did not pass but the School District never identified which programs would be cut. The election could have been swayed just by the teachers in the District voting in favor of it because they feared their jobs would be part of the program cuts. Mayor Reimann stated that he will vote to continue the Community Education program as is with no increase for a key communicator program; the only increase he would be in favor of is to increase community education programs for the many Ramsey children at Sandburg School. Councilmember DeLuca stated that he agrees with Mayor Reimann's comments regarding the manner in which the election was handled but he also feels the key communicator program is a real benefit to the community at a minimal cost and should be incorporated into the 1988 budget. Dave Bawden - 16640 Yttrium - Stated he doesn't see any connection between the School District and the key communicator program; the key communicator program is between the police and the public with community education coordinating it. Mr. Bawden stated that using the key communicator as a way to get back at the School District is cheating the people of Ramsey. Mayor Reimann stated that the City has a good communication program in it's city newsletter; key communicator would just be another facet of government. Mr. Bawden stated that the key communicator program is needed and would work without commuity education involvement but it would still need funding. Councilmember DeLuca stated that getting people involved in the community City Council/October 20, 1987 Page 3 of 8