Minutes - Council Work Session - 04/13/2004

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Cotmcilmembcr Strommen questioned what else would cause that blip, because ag she remembers tile analysis it wonld not be from Town Center. City Administrator Norman indicated Town Center was limited to the bonding necessary for infi'astructure and City growth expenses, such as extra positions like police and maintenance. Finance Officer Lund explained it was limited to Town Center and Town Center Gardens. Councihnember Strommen noted the Council will be going through a planning process, and the fiscal impact will need to be looked at as they go forward. Couuci hnembcr Elvig suggested they do some "what ifs" with the fiscal analysis. Councihnember Pearson stated he concurs with Councilmember Elvig. He commented they cannot totally foctts on Town Center. He looks at it like his farming operation, which needs to diversify a little bit. There are places out there where the property owners want to develop the land, and if they can work it out he thinks that is what they need to do. Mayor Gamec stated tile bonding of the City Hall was not planned for in the fiscal analysis. The kcy is to pay offbonds without having to raise taxes. The next eight to ten years are going to be very good in Ramsey. The key is to be ready with the sewer and water line, and the loop needs to bc studied. Cotmcilmcnlber Elvig explained he is not trying to throw an alarm, but he wants to make sure they look at what the numbers are saying. It will be a balancing act as to the timeframe, and the timeframe and cash flow run hand in hand. If funding comes out of the general budget that is a tax implication, and everyone is concerned about not raising taxes. Councihncmber Strommen indicated she likes Councilmember Elvig's idea of looking at "what ifs". This analysis is a tool and a model that allows them to play with those assumptions and timings and plug in new numbers. Mayor G a m ec inq u i red ab o ut the preliminary information from staff in regards to budget requests, which was requested to be turned in early this year. Finance Officer Lund replied this information is normally due in September and the Council had requcsted to see it early. They will likely receive the information in August. Mayor Gamcc requested tile information include the initial wish lists of staff. 3) HRA City Administrator Norman explained that state statute allows the City to adopt an HRA. This City has already utilized the levy for the HRA, which is administered through the EDA. The EDA, however, focuses primarily on industrial and commercial projects rather than housing. The City Council Work Session/April 13, 2004 Page 3 of 6