Agenda - Council - 10/12/2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councihnember Strommen stated the issue of notice needs to be looked at more broadly to be sure it is consistent and residents are being notified of things as well as developers. She commented the percentage of an increase may factor into decisions, as minor increases are expected. Councilmember Elvig noted if there is notification given that the fees will increase; building permits may come in early. The fees should be increased as soon as they are comfortable in doing so. Mayor Gamec directed staff to include this on the agenda of the next City Council meeting with the fees being amended back to the previous rate, and to bring the fee schedule to the Finance Committee for review. Assistant Community Development Director Trudgeon advised the final plat approval for Liberty Land Development was approved with the higher fee, with the thought of a process to amend this. He requested direction if the amendment on the preliminary plat should be brought forward at the next Council meeting, or if it should wait until the fee increases are determined. Council consensus was to bring back the preliminary plat agreement for Liberty Land Development at 25 percent of the proposed increase for both sewer and water trunk fees, and to direct staff to bring back discussion of the increase of the sewer and water trunk fees to the Finance Committee. Councihnember Strommen requested there be discussion at the Finance Committee of the impacts of implementing the full amount of the increase and of graduating the increase. 2) 2005 Budget Process City Administrator Norman reviewed that the Council has held two work sessions in July and August regarding the 2005 budget process. A preliminary General Fund Budget was distributed on July 22, 2004. Staff was directed to make preliminary adjustment recommendations for Council consideration. The budget being proposed is the preliminary budget, which must be adopted by September 15th to comply with state statute. He advised regarding personnel, City Councils of the past have been proud that the City operated on a lean and mean staff. However, there is not any advantage to try to operate just by seeing how they can get by. They have done a good j ob of attempting to begin addressing that. Councilmember Elvig inquired if any of the positions have been filled since the study that has been presented from 1999. City Administrator Norman replied some of the positions have been filled. The study has been presented as more of a comparison of where Ramsey is in relation to other cities. One of the most significant comparisons is in the Public Works Department. City Council Work Session/September 7, 2004 Page 3 of 7