Laserfiche WebLink
<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />The Commission noted the following: <br /> <br />1. Public hearing and regular City Council meeting minutes dated August <br />25, 1987. <br /> <br />2. Special City Council meeting minutes dated September 1, 1987. <br /> <br />3. Public heaqring and special City Council meeting minutes dated <br />September 8, 1987. <br /> <br />4. Special City Council meeting minutes dated September 9, 1987. <br /> <br />5. Public hearings and regular City Council meeting minutes dated <br />September 22, 1987. <br /> <br />Commissioner Fults expressed concern for the public view of City Council <br />relating to their recent discussions to eliminate and go with privatization <br />of the streets and police department and added that he feels Ramsey has <br />among the finest of police and streets departments. <br /> <br />Commissioner Ippel stated that after checking out educational <br />opportunities, potential residents and companies look for the kinds of <br />services a community has to offer. Elimination of on-staff services would <br />be a reversal of Council's expressed intention to promote economic <br />development. There is a demand for increased public works services and the <br />visibility of on-staff police deters crime. <br /> <br />Commissioner Fults expressed that privatization will result in getting low- <br />bidder type attention; occasional and extra jobs can be contracted out but <br />continuous needs like sewer and water maintenance should be accomplished in- <br />house. <br /> <br />Commissioner Gorecki stated that the bottom line to obtaining good <br />contracting out services is management; the city doesn't have to take the <br />lowest bidder, but rather the lowest, responsible bidder. <br /> <br />Discussion ensued regarding possibly researching what other cities spend <br />for public works and police departments, the need for the budget committee <br />to work on the city budget year around, the need for a public relations <br />person in Ramsey to keep a positive stream of information flowing, the <br />need to have essential services covered by in-house employees, the need for <br />more staff in Ramsey. <br /> <br />Commissioner Hardin stated that he feels it is totally inconsistent to <br />consider contracting out for police protection and have a municipal airport <br />and acquire equipment for a volunteer fire department. <br /> <br />Motion by Commissioner Gorecki and seconded by Commissioner Fults directing <br />the Finance Subcommittee to review the city's proposed 1988 budget and <br />report back to the Commission with information that can be used to forward <br />a recommendation onto City Council regarding privatization. <br /> <br />Economic Development Commission/October 14, 1987 <br /> <br />Page 2 of 6 <br />