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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION – OCTOBER 19, 2020 11 <br /> <br />I. NYFS Funding Discussion <br /> <br />City Administrator Perrault said he wanted to bring this to Council again as there was some <br />level of disagreement on the level of funding they’d like to provide to NYFS in the 2021 budget <br />cycle. CARES funding cannot be used to buy down future expenses so he would like to only <br />discuss the 2021 contribution. There are no member cities that do not make an annual <br />contribution. Residency in a member city isn’t necessary for counseling but additional programs <br />such as youth diversion, fall clean up, and the senior chore program are reserved for member <br />cities. If Arden Hills lessens its contribution or doesn’t contribute it won’t stop residents from <br />receiving mental health counseling services. The request for funds for 2021is approximately 14% <br />higher than 2020. The increase could be spread over two years. <br /> <br />City Administrator Perrault added they first use insurance money to cover payments, and they <br />rely on other funding sources to cover the gap. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden thought there were other non-profit mental health organizations and she <br />wondered why they support this organization with tax payer dollars but not others. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant replied that this organization Arden Hills and other communities created to fill a <br />need. He felt they are worthy of being supported at the full amount. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden said she’d be comfortable with a 50% contribution. <br /> <br />Councilmember Scott would be in favor but would like to see the increase spread over two years. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes said at the last meeting there was a 3-2 split so she felt the decision was <br />already made. <br /> <br />Councilmember McClung would support the increase over two years. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant would also support that. <br /> <br />City Administrator Perrault asked if council would like to contribute CARES money in <br />addition to the other funding. <br /> <br />Council agreed to not provide CARES money. <br /> <br />J. Council Tracker <br /> <br />Mayor Grant encouraged the Council to contact staff if they had specific questions. <br /> <br />2. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND STAFF UPDATES <br /> <br />None <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />