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regarding Case No. 2, City Administrator Norman's compensation was discussed in a work <br />session. Mr. Norman has additional room on his compensation level under the parameters of the <br />state; however Mr. Norman stepped back from receiving more than the standard of living <br />increase and indicated he would prefer to wait until the City reaches a level where all of the staff <br />can be on an application for a higher level of pay. He appreciates Mr. Norman's team effort. <br />Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Gamec, Councilmembers Cook, Pearson, Elvig, Jeffrey, <br />and Olson. Voting No: None. Absent: Councilmember Strommen. <br /> <br />Case #11: RepOrt from Finance Committee <br /> <br /> A) Election of Officers <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig stated Councilmember Strommen was elected as chair of the Finance <br />Committee and he accepted the position of vice chair. <br /> <br /> 1) Connexus Energy Billing <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig stated Larry Peterson of Connexus Energy was present at the Finance <br />Committee meeting to discuss the water utility under-billing issue. Several ideas were discussed <br />about the delinquent billings, which has been an issue being discussed since 2003. The <br />Committee directed staff to move forward and look at the potential of a land acquisition swap or <br />purchase that may occur. There were also a couple other thoughts Larry Peterson had. The <br />Committee asked staff to look at what the needs are for a couple of businesses that need to be <br />moved from Highway 10, and to bring further information back to the Committee to discuss at a <br />later date. The overall sentiment was the desire to get this issue resolved. <br /> <br /> 2) Consider Consulting Services with HSP & Associates <br /> <br /> Councilmember Elvig explained the City has'used HSP & Associates for consulting and advisory <br /> services to the City in connection with its Chinese Sister City. Lili Chan has located an <br /> interested party in China that would possibly locate in the United States. To continue the <br /> negotiations with the Chinese firm, staff recommended entering into a consulting agreement with <br /> HSP & Associates to determine if a Chinese commercial retailer will locate in either of the <br /> commercial centers of Ramsey. The Committee had concern that individuals involved with HSP <br /> & Associates are also involved with The Ramsey Foundation. The recommendation of the <br /> Finance Committee was to enter into a consulting agreement with HSP & Associates for a not- <br /> to-exceed amount of $5,000, with consideration that there would be itemized billing that staff <br /> would review, and that there would not be any international travel involved. <br /> Motion by Councilmember Elvig, seconded by Mayor Gamec, to ratify the recommendation of <br /> the Finance Committee in Case No. 2 and to enter into a consulting agreement with HSP & <br /> Associates for consulting and advisory services to locate a Chinese commercial interest in <br /> Ramsey for a not-to-exceed amount of $5,000, with consideration that there would be itemized <br /> billing that staff would review, and that there would not be any international travel involved. <br /> <br /> City Council / February 14, 2006 <br /> Page 18 of 26 <br />PS0 <br /> <br /> <br />