Minutes - Council Work Session - 03/16/2020 - Special

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It was the consensus of the Council to continue to offer the option of a stipend or for members to have the option to waive the stipend. 2.04: Round Up for Change Program City Administrator Ulrich reviewed the staff report. Councilmember Heinrich commented that she would support the program if it is an opt-in program rather than an opt-out program. Councilmember Musgrove stated that Ramsey pays a larger portion than other cities for Youth First, along with the credit for the building lease. She stated that she would like to see the round up program go forward to help defer the cash payment that the City contributes to the organization. She commented that the residents pay taxes for high priority items such as roads and public safety, rather than charity. She stated that the round up program would be an option for residents to choose to contribute. She asked if the resident could choose to opt out at any time, if the City chose the opt out program. She commented that an opt out program would seem to have less paperwork and staff time. City Administrator Ulrich confirmed that residents can choose to opt out at any time. Councilmember Musgrove asked if the cost to the City is just the implementation cost or whether there is an ongoing annual fee. City Administrator Ulrich noted that staff could investigate whether there could be an annual cost for the software. Councilmember Riley stated that the case is written with the recommendation that the funds generated from this program would reduce City expenditures. He stated that he does not agree with that. He stated that a separate topic could be whether it is appropriate for the City to fund charity. He explained that he would not want to collect these funds under the guise of charity and use them to offset what the City would have already been paying. Councilmember Kuzma stated that the City receives a lot of complaints on utility billing already and therefore he would not support this program as it seems to be a low return on the investment for the software. Councilmember Menth stated that he would also vote against this program. Councilmember Specht stated that he would support the program as written as it would allow residents the choice to contribute to a community program. He stated that the choice could be reevaluated after one or two years. Councilmember Musgrove stated that people would make their own choice on whether or not they want to contribute and the funds could be used to offset the contribution the City pays to City Council Work Session /March 16,2020 Page 7 of 12