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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL DECEMBER 9, 201313 <br /> <br />Community Development Director Hutmacher <br /> commented that the Red Fox/Grey Fox area <br />was proposed to have a study completed. She explained that the expenses for the TCAAP <br />development were uncertain at this time. <br /> <br />AMENDMENT: Councilmember Holden moved and Mayor Grant seconded a motion to <br />reduce the Professional Consultant expense for Planning and Zoning to <br />$10,000. The amendment carried (3-2) (Holmes and McClung <br />opposed). <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes <br /> expressed concern with the fact that the Finance and Administrative <br />Services Department would have one less staff member to assist with completing their work in <br />2014. <br /> <br />Councilmember McClung <br /> indicated that he has had a number of residents speak to him <br />regarding the budget along with the proposed increase in the levy. He reported a good portion of <br />the levy increase was due to public safety. He supported the work completed by the public safety <br />departments and the implementation of the full-time duty crew. He wanted to see the Council <br />remove an additional $92,000 from the budget. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden <br /> expressed confusion with the fact that additional cuts were not <br />discussed previously by the Council. It was her opinion that the City has been running quite lean, <br />while still offering quality services to its residents. She stated that roads still needed to be fixed <br />and parks needed to be mowed. She explained that there was a $52,000 increase to public safety <br />that had to be covered by the City. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant <br /> <br />County. He indicated that Arden Hills was doing well given its size and structure. He wanted to <br />see the Council continue to be good stewards of the City <br />Council was moving forward with a fair budget while still meeting the needs of its residents. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden <br />reviewed the improvements made at Valentine Park. She commented <br />that this opportunity presented itself and the residents in Arden Hills were greatly benefiting from <br />the park improvements. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant <br /> requested that the Council take action on the budget at this time. He requested an <br />updated amount from staff. <br /> <br />Director of Finance and Administrative Services Iverson <br /> stated that the budget would have a <br />net decrease of $31,571 based on the amendments approved by the Council this evening. <br /> <br />The motion with amendments carried (4-1) (McClung opposed). <br /> <br />Mayor Grant <br /> requested that the Council now discuss the levy impacts for the Northeast Youth <br />and Family Services expense. <br /> <br />