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City Engineer Westby stated that the organization has been planning for the creation of the <br /> Fourth Generation Plan and believes that the LRRWMO has sufficient funds for the development <br /> of that plan and therefore the contribution has been reduced. <br /> Councilmember LeTourneau referenced Family Promise, stating that he is a bit uncomfortable <br /> with the Family Promise line item as there are many similar, worthy organizations and therefore <br /> it would be hard to pick just one organization. He stated that perhaps there is a method that staff <br /> would use to vet donation requests that the City receives. <br /> City Administrator Ulrich stated that in the past there has been discussion of the groups that the <br /> City has a lot of participation with. He stated that the policy has been to look at the direct <br /> relationship between the services the City provides and the services that these organizations <br /> provide. <br /> Mayor Strommen stated that it is her recollection that the funding of items of this nature has been <br /> based on the services that are provided by the organization that would reduce the need for the <br /> City to provide those resources directly. <br /> It was the consensus of the Council to remove the Family Promise line item from the budget. <br /> Councilmember LeTourneau referenced an email that was received from a resident who shared <br /> their dislike of the budget. He noted that is the first time that he has received objection to the <br /> work the City is doing on the budget. He stated that he did invite the resident to talk in person, <br /> and he really enjoyed the discussion that they had. He stated that the resident was perhaps not <br /> comfortable with the levy but better understood how the system is working and what the City is <br /> trying to do. He stated that the resident was troubled with the public works position proposed to <br /> be added and asked for additional justification for adding the position. <br /> Public Works Director Riemer stated that this position would restore the 2011 staffing level, <br /> noting that the department has been running shorthanded. He stated that the City relies on <br /> seasonal help and that pool of workers continues to shrink with the increased needs in the <br /> workforce. He stated that seasonal student workers have limitations on the equipment that they <br /> are able to run, which is why the full-time position is helpful. He highlighted the work that his <br /> staff handles each season. He noted that while the department is maintaining the core functions, <br /> they are not able to complete all the duties necessary and if someone is absent on a vacation or <br /> because of sickness that also requires moving employees around. He stated that when people <br /> travel to the community for a sports activity, the parks are what they are seeing as representation <br /> of the City. <br /> Mayor Strommen agreed that parks are a very important part of someone's perception of the <br /> City. <br /> Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood stated that there is a lot of new <br /> demand with the approved improvements, parks, facilities, and roads and the department is still <br /> working shorthanded. He noted that while there is a place for seasonal workers, there is also a <br /> need for full-time employees that can perform other necessary duties. <br /> City Council Work Session/November 14,2017 <br /> Page 3 of 7 <br />