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<br />. Councilmember Strommen asked what Jim Lasher was paid last year. She stated the Council <br />should put this into perspective since it had started down this road and invested money into <br />two trips to China. She stated the City had put about $24,000 into the Sister City China <br />development. She stated, given where the City is at with budget and what it got out of the trip <br />to China, Council needs to ask if this is the best use of City funds. She expressed there are <br />serious budget challenges this year and next. <br /> <br />Attorney Goodrich asked if Councilmember Strommen would be willing to work with him and <br />Finance Officer Lund to negotiate this. <br /> <br />Councilmember Strommen indicated she would. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec stated, looking at the bill, there are things that should obviously be paid. He said <br />he only questions the amount with Lilli Pan and questions if the City is being double billed. <br /> <br />Councilmember Strommen mentioned she would like to know how Eden Prairie was billed. <br /> <br />The Council reached consensus to have Councilmember Strommen, Attorney Goodrich, and <br />Finance Officer Lund talk with Mr. Hegg. <br /> <br />Councilmember Strommen mentioned Mr. Hegg asked if he would be involved in other projects <br />for the City. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig expressed the problem is there had not been a formal plan, agenda or <br />itinerary. He would like to know what the City is buying. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec said you do not run a ship this way. He stressed it needs to be spelled out clearly <br />to everyone. <br /> <br />Attorney Goodrich indicated, as far as negotiating with Mr. Hegg, he would tell him there is <br />nothing for him in the future. <br /> <br />Councilmember Cook pointed out the money was put out, spread through China, and the Council <br />is now telling Mr. Hegg we do not want him to host the Chinese. <br /> <br />Councilmember Olson said the Council has to look at what it IS getting from all of the <br />consultants. <br /> <br />Finance Officer Lund mentioned the City had contracts in place with other contractors for <br />specific amounts and wondered why Mr. Hegg does not submit bills consistently. <br /> <br />Attorney Goodrich informed the Council members they said Mr. Hegg was not on the payroll <br />and thought they were clear about this; however, Mr. Hegg did not seem to hear it. <br /> <br />Councilmember Strommen stated the Council should go back and discuss what the program is <br />and what the goals are. <br /> <br />City Council Work Session / August 14, 2006 <br />Page 3 of9 <br />