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Mayor Gamec stated that the City is talking about requiring Ramsey Town Center, LLC to <br />contribute $125,000 to cover the staffing needs for the Town Center, but he felt that they should <br />be charged the same as other developers. He did not feel that the $125,000 would cover the <br />staffing needs. <br />City Administrator Norman explained that it is his opinion that Ramsey Town Center, LLC <br />should pay the City the $125,000 in addition to all billable time. <br />Mayor Gamec inquired as to how they would keep track of the accounting of that money <br />City Administrator Norman replied that there would not be a change with the current billable <br />situation, but in addition the City would receive an additional $125,000 that would not have to be <br />tracked. <br />Mayor Gamec stated that the City is in a tough position because they need the staff, but the <br />budget is tight. <br />Councilmember Strommen agreed that $125,000 will not sustain them for many years, which is <br />something they will have to talk about, but that has to be in the terms of development agreement <br />because they can't incorporate those types of things until there is an agreement with the <br />developer. The City also has to look at the long-term impact to pay for the employees that would <br />be brought on to cover the Town Center. <br />Mayor Gamec stated that by the time the City stopped collecting fees from the Town Center, the <br />City would probably be collecting some of the taxes from the development, which would help <br />offset those costs of the employees. <br />Councilmember Kurak noted that if there are employees being paid for out of the general fund <br />and they can turn around and bill out their time, then they are probably making some money for <br />the City. <br />Finance Officer Lund stated that the Town Center project will be creating revenue for the City, <br />but there will most likely be additional developments beyond the Town Center that would help <br />keep those positions going. <br />Mayor Gamec noted that no matter what project City staff is working on all the time spent on the <br />project by staff is billed out hourly. <br />Councilmember Kurak inquired as to what staff felt the demand would be on the Engineering and <br />Community Development departments once the Town Center receives final plat approval. <br />Community Development Director Frolik explained that once the Town Center received final <br />plat approval the workload for the Engineering staff and Building Inspectors would pick up <br />significantly. <br />City Council Work Session/August 5, 2003 <br />Page 2 of 11 <br />