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<br />Councilmember Woestehoff commented that he would rather fund Family Promise at $5,000, than <br />the Anoka Area Chamber Manufacturing Cohort. He recognized they are from different funds but <br />he was looking at the overall dollar amount. <br /> <br />Councilmember Musgrove referenced Youth First and commented that the program helps keep <br />kids active and out of trouble. She felt the hockey program in Anoka served a lot of Ramsey <br />students so she supported finding a way to divide the money, whether it goes to Family Promise <br />or another organization, but didn’t want to see too many things being supported. She suggested <br />starting to focus on the Alexandra House, which is a very worthy cause that helps families. She <br />noted Youth First also helps a lot of youth in the area. She was more in support of the hockey <br />program than the Family Promise program because churches may be able to support that program. <br /> <br />Mayor Kuzma asked for a show of hands to support or not support Family Promise program for <br />$3,000. <br /> <br />Councilmember Specht commented his concern is that there are a lot of good organizations in the <br />area that are looking for support and it is difficult to say if there will be more. <br /> <br />City Administrator Ulrich stated the history decisions on which groups to fund relates to which <br />groups directly benefit City operations. Alexander House is used extensively by police in terms <br />of domestic violence. Youth First gets to kids first so they don’t become a drain on public services <br />later in life so those two meet that criteria. He agreed with Councilmember Specht that there is a <br />long list of organizations that would like to be funded. <br /> <br />Councilmember Heineman agreed with City Administrator Ulrich that what is currently being <br />funded are those that help the community. Family Promise is an excellent charity but is being <br />funded by tax-payer dollars. He would rather the community have a choice to support charities <br />instead of the government. <br /> <br />Councilmember Woestehoff asked Police Chief Katers how much of a problem homelessness is <br />in Ramsey. <br /> <br />Police Chief Katers replied that officers do encounter it, mostly on the southern end of Ramey. In <br />regard to youth, he wasn’t sure what the numbers are, but knew there may be a lot of young adults <br />who are separated from their parents and live at friend’s houses or in their cars. With this <br />organization, church space is used to house people on a short-time basis. He explained the Police <br />Department had some concerns about housing people because it is a different use for a church. <br /> <br />Mayor Kuzma again asked for a show of hands. <br /> <br />The majority consensus of the Council was to not fund the Family Promise program. <br /> <br />Finance Director Lund asked for further comment and consensus on the budget. <br /> <br />Councilmember Musgrove referenced the personnel requests and asked if reclassifications were <br />done for equity opportunity because there was an opening, or qualification. <br />City Council Work Session / November 23, 2021 <br />Page 8 of 15 <br /> <br />