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Police Chief Katers commented that it was important for the City to have this position during the <br />recent challenges of COVID. <br /> <br />Councilmember Menth commented that the City can do the best job but if that is not <br />communicated to the public, it will not be known. He stated that whatever the City does, it needs <br />to be communicated to the public. <br /> <br />Councilmember Riley stated that his frustration is perhaps that the position should be better <br />defined to ensure the desired results are being achieved. <br /> <br />Councilmember Musgrove stated that staff puts a lot into their communications and feels that the <br />existing staff can meet that objective without the additional position. <br /> <br />Mayor LeTourneau stated that if that role is removed, it would become clear as to the void that <br />would be created. He noted that the members of the Council that predate that position are aware <br />of what that situation is like. <br /> <br />City Administrator Ulrich stated that it seems that there is consensus that there is work to do on <br />better defining the position to meet the expectations of the Council. <br /> <br />Councilmember Specht stated that he would be interested in seeing the other side, as to what it <br />would look like without that position. <br /> <br />Councilmember Musgrove asked for details on the public works equipment requests. <br /> <br />Public Works Superintendent Riemer provided additional details on that equipment. <br /> <br />Finance Director Lund asked if there is consensus on the preliminary budget for adoption at the <br />proposed increase rate of 5.72 percent. She noted that the Council can continue to make <br />reductions prior to the final adoption in December but that figure could not be increased. <br /> <br />City Administrator Ulrich explained that his preference would be to have the Council provide the <br />direction on where it would like to be and staff could then come back with an explanation of <br />which items/services could be cut to meet that goal. He stated that originally, the goal of six <br />percent was provided from the Council and staff has met that goal. <br /> <br />Councilmember Musgrove asked if the police body cameras could be purchased in halves and <br />the likelihood of receiving grants for the purchase. <br /> <br />Police Chief Katers replied that if the equipment is to be purchased, he would want all officers to <br />have the body cameras and not half of the officers. He stated that the possibility of obtaining <br />grants for that purchase is very low. <br /> <br />Councilmember Menth stated that he is comfortable with the proposed budget as staff met the <br />goal provided by the Council and it would be unfair to continue to move that target. <br /> <br />City Council Work Session / August 25, 2020 <br />Page 5 of 7 <br /> <br />