Minutes - Council - 11/07/2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Peterson stated that they will ask for that grant and they will share their findings with them. Motion by Councilmember Olson and seconded by Councilmember Cook to approve the contract with Bolton & Menk, Inc. for design and construction administration services for First Design Phase of the River Bank Water Supply Collection System and Water Treatment Facility and associated improvements for the not-to-exceed amount of $182,500. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Gamec, Councilmembers Olson, Cook, Elvig, Jeffrey, Pearson and Strommen. Voting No: None. Bob Brown, Vice President of Bolton & Menk, was also present. Case #9: Consider Contribution to Ramsey Foundation Mayor Gamec stated that the City of Ramsey has been working toward establishing a sister city relationship with Loudi, China. A group of community leaders has been meeting to develop economic and educational connections with the Loudi community to assist in creating a foundation that could receive contributions from local business community groups in support of their work. The City has discussed making a one-time contribution of $5,000 to the Foundation to provide initial funding. There is a letter out in the community asking for support of this. The City Council asked that this be brought back for formal action. Councilmember Strommen inquired what the funding is actually for. Vem Hegg, HSP & Associates, stated that he is meeting tomorrow to put together a budget for start-up costs and to develop a mission statement. He added that this is not to be focusing on the China situation at all. At a later date he will be able to submit a lot of documentation to the City Council to show what's happening with this organization. Councilmember Strommen stated she is not opposed to this but her concern is that the Council had a significant discussion earlier this evening at a work session about the City contributing to non-profit organizations and she wants to make certain she knows what the purpose is before she votes on it. Mayor Gamec stated this should be kept separate from the City Council - this should be a separate organization. Councilmember Strommen stated that she is saying that if the City is going to contribute, that's public money and we need to know the public purpose - and what are the goals. Councilmember Jeffrey stated that Mr. Hegg mentioned some good points - all that information should be shared before Council takes any action. Motion by Councilmember Elvig and seconded by Councilmember Jeffrey to table this case until the information is available on goals and objectives and mom information is available about what the foundation is doing. City Council/November 7, 2005 Page 11 of 16