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<br />ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - MARCH 8. 1999 <br /> <br />10 <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />This reporting must be completed and submitted to tbe Gambling Control Board by March 15, <br />1999. <br /> <br />From a policy standpoint, tbe City of Arden Hills bas not previously defined the use of these <br />funds. Although the City is allowed to maintain a fund balance, it must be specific in informing <br />the Gambling Control Board what the intended uses are for the accumulated funds. <br />The use of the current fund balance and any future surpluses must fall into two different <br />categories. One is essentially a Parks and Recreation use and the other is emergency services of <br />police or fire. <br /> <br />The 1999 Budget assumes that a portion of the TCAAP implementation planning phase would be <br />funded via an operating transfer from tbe Community Services Fund. Under Minnesota Statutes, <br />this budgeted use does not appear to fall within the list of Lawful Purpose activities. As Council <br />recently reaffirmed its commitment to 1999 TCAAP planning at the recent retreat, another <br />funding source should be identified for these planning activities. The General Fund balance <br />could be used and the PIR Fund had also been identified to be used for these TCAAP planning <br />activities. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Councilmember Malone stated that when the City of Arden Hills reluctantly agreed to allow <br />lawful gambling within the City, it was believed that the Lawful Purpose included most all <br />activities the City would be involved in. He indicated that, in reading the Statute on Lawful <br />Purposes, he was not sure the Statute section provided to the Council applies to the City. It <br />would appear that the Statute applies to the gambling organizations. Mr. Post explained that the <br />Statutes apply equally to cities and gambling organizations. <br /> <br />Councilmember Malone pointed out that any money spent by the City is for Lawful Purposes. <br />He suggested all or a portion of the funds could be dedicated to the Fire and Capital Equipment <br />Revolving Fund, and the remainder to the Parks and Recreation Fund. He noted that, over the <br />long-term, the City will need additional money for fire protection. <br /> <br />Mayor Probst confirmed that as long as there is a clear dedicated llse oftbe money, the City does <br />not necessarily have to spend it. Mr. Post concurred. <br /> <br />Mayor Probst suggested the funds be dedicated to the Parks and Recreation Fund as part of the <br />TCAAP project. He indicated that once permission is granted to proceed witb tbe four-city <br />recreation complex, the City of Arden Hills will not have the capital funding source to be <br />involved with the project. <br /> <br />Councilmember Malone asked the Mayor if he was suggesting all the funds be dedicated in this <br />way. Mayor Probst stated that this was something tbat would need to be discussed. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Mr. Post stated that the 1999 Budget contains a $200,000 operating transfer from Fund 225 to <br />Fund 229. He reiterated that there is no problem with reporting a fund balance, however, the <br />City must be specific in terms of what the balance is being held for, which has not been a past <br />policy. <br />