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<br />especially Mike Berg, Tim Dwyer and Tim Gladhill for all their time and energy for this year's <br />event. <br /> <br />Management Intern Gladhill announced that the photo contest winner is Judy Hanson of Ramsey <br />and the winning photo will be on display at City Hall. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec thanked the committee members for all the work they have done putting the event <br />together. He stated that there was a fire works display this year for the first time that was just <br />great. <br /> <br />CITIZEN INPUT <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec asked Tom Heideman from the school board to come forward and share some <br />information. <br /> <br />Mr. Heideman distributed some information and stated that he is the Vice Chair of the school <br />board. He noted that there is a levy question coming up on November 6, 2007, and he wanted to <br />provide an explanation of the questions to voters. He stated that in 2002, voters approved a levy <br />that allowed for maintenance and upkeep of the schools for the past 5 years and this levy will run <br />out at the end of this school year. He stated that there will be 4 questions on the upcoming <br />ballot. Question 1 relates to the renewal of the 2002 levy with a small increase for inflation. <br />Question 2 is looking out an additional 5 years and ensures that no reductions will need to be <br />made and maintains another 5 years of stability in the school district. He stated that without <br />voter approval, the school district will need to reduce programs by about 40% and noted that he <br />had included a detailed breakdown of what types of things would need to be cut in the City <br />Council packet. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dehen stated that while he appreciated Mr. Heideman coming to the City, he is <br />. against somebody advocating for a position using this forum. He stated that he is unsure who <br />invited him, but reiterated that he does not feel this forum should be used to advocate for <br />political positions. He stated that he feels the entire City Council should approve who speaks in <br />this type of forum and also that the "other side" should haye an equal chance to advocate their <br />position. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec stated that he told Mr. Heideman that he could come and present information to <br />the citizens about the questions on the upcoming ballot. He asked how the other <br />Councilmembers felt about allowing Mr. Heideman to speak. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig stated that this portion of the meeting is citizen input and he sees this as <br />infonnative. He stated that residents are welcome to come forward and say that they are paying <br />too much for their kids to be in school. He stated that he knows there have been some errors in <br />print about the location of polling places and asked Mr. Heideman to clarify this issue. <br /> <br />Councilmember Olson stated that she was fine with Mr. Heideman continuing to speak. <br /> <br />Councilmember Look stated that he was indifferent. <br /> <br />City Council /October 23, 2007 <br />Page 3 of 21 <br />