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<br />MAYOR, COUNCIL AND STAFF INPUT <br /> <br />1) China Economic Development Billing <br /> <br />Councilmember Strommen stated she would like to follow up on the negotiations for the China <br />Economic Development billing. It does not make sense to her to negotiate a reduction in the bill <br />if the City will enter into another contract with the current consultant and get back into the same <br />situation. A memo was sent from the Finance Director to the consultant outlining the <br />documentation that is needed and it still has not been received. The time and energy that has <br />spent on this issue has been extraordinary, not to mention the dollars that have gone into it. The <br />last time this issue was discussed there was not a clear consensus on whether the City would <br />enter into another contract and engage this consultant's service again. She wants to be clear she <br />will not spend her time to negotiate down a bill if the City will turn around and enter into another <br />situation where the underlying problems have not been solved. <br /> <br />Councilmember Olson stated it is necessary for the City to see the Ramsey Foundation Business <br />Plan that was drafted, and no one from the City has yet seen this. Secondly, she was informed by <br />Community Development Director Trudgeon that the Chinese business men that visited Ramsey <br />Town Center were interested in a larger piece of land. She suggested HSP interface with the <br />Ramsey Town Center representatives, rather than the City of Ramsey directly, as Ramsey Town <br />Center is entering a new phase with different parties. <br /> <br />Councilmember Strommen indicated she would not be opposed to continuing with a sister city <br />program. She noted this is the reason the Ramsey Foundation was established, and the City <br />needs to meet with the Ramsey Foundation to determine their status. Her concern is that the City <br />entered into a contract that was specific on the not-to-exceed amount, and there have been many <br />issues. Council needs to state clearly whether they will continue down this path; currently they <br />are not clear on the purpose or determining the underlying issues. <br /> <br />Councilmember Jeffrey stated this issue will need to go before the full Council to vote on <br />whether to strictly pay the amount authorized by the Council. If there was some confusion on <br />the not-to-exceed number there should have been questions raised. <br /> <br />Council discussed whether to continue negotiations regarding the Chinese economic <br />development consultant billing and the possible attorney fees if the negotiations do not proceed. <br /> <br />Consensus of the Council was to direct staff to include a vote by the Council on the next Council <br />meeting agenda of whether to strictly pay the amount authorized by the Council to the Chinese <br />Economic Development Consultant or to proceed with negotiations regarding the billing. <br /> <br />2) $6,000 Resident Water Bill <br /> <br />Finance Officer Lund reported she was contacted by Julian Jones of Connexus Energy on Friday <br />requesting the true incremental cost of what it cost the City to pump the water out in relation to <br />Ms. Smith's $6,000 water bill. She informed Mr. Jones the true incremental cost is the $1.78 per <br /> <br />City Council Work Session / August 29, 2006 <br />Page 6 of8 <br />