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ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION – NOVEMBER 27, 2017 3 <br /> <br />City Clerk Hanson stated the City has already paid for the upgrade as part of the original <br />contract. <br /> <br />Communications Coordinator Skelly provided additional explanation regarding the remaining <br />goals, including the 2018 duties. She also discussed the various communications channels. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden requested a process be put in place regarding how the Council replies to <br />a group email with a complaint or request from a resident. <br /> <br />City Administrator Joynes suggested that the Council direct the resident complaint or request to <br />the appropriate staff person before offering a reply directly. The responsible staff member will <br />respond to the complainant and follow up with the Councilmembers so that they know the inquiry <br />has been addressed. <br /> <br />A discussion ensued regarding Council communication. <br /> <br />City Administrator Joynes stated that since communicating with the Council is an ongoing duty, <br />the topic should be included in the 2018 list of duties as standardized complaint communications <br />protocol. He stated a policy could be created. <br /> <br />Interim Director of Finance and Administrative Services Perrault indicated that discussion <br />regarding tracking Council requests is slated for the February work session. <br /> <br />City Administrator Joynes asked the Council to rate each category in order of importance, with <br />1 as the most important and 3 as the least important. He stated the results would be given to the <br />Council and a work plan would be provided at the Council retreat. <br /> <br /> <br />B. 2018 Budget <br /> <br />Interim Director of Finance and Administrative Services Perrault indicated that at its meeting <br />in September, the Council set the preliminary 2018 levy at 4.0%. He noted that the levy can be <br />decreased but it cannot be increased, and stated the tax levy hearing is set for December 11, 2017. <br />He also provided tax levy comparison information from other cities. <br /> <br />Interim Director of Finance and Administrative Services Perrault discussed additional budget <br />impacts that included the proposed 2018 COLA increase, current vacant staff positions, the EDA <br />transfer amount, Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and utility rate study. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden proposed a COLA of 2.0% and asked that the Council engage in further <br />review in six months following any potential hiring of staff such as a Community Development <br />Director and Finance Director. She also asked for an update regarding the budgeted amount for <br />the City Attorney versus what has actually been spent. <br /> <br />A discussion ensued regarding the general fund budget. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant asked what the deadline is for union contract negotiations.