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. . . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - MARCH 8.1999 14 ADMINISTRATOR COMMENTS Mr. Fritsinger had no comments. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Malone referred to the information in the non-agenda memo that MNDOT is moving ahead with the park and ride lot on County Road H2. Mayor Probst stated that Staff had noted that MNDOT has not offered any analysis but has suggested an interest in relocating the County Road I interchange improvements further to the south. He indicated that at some point the City should attempt to get a commitment on paper. Presumably the interchange to the south would be County Road H. He asked Staffifthere was a suggestion of wbere to take this concern, such as the Corridor Coalition. Mr. Fritsinger stated tbat at this point neither Staff nor the City Sboreview bave an idea what MNDOT's proposal may he. Tbe intent of Staff had been to bring to the Coalition meeting this month the suggestion presented by Councilmember Malone to tbe Council regarding the LRT Station. He indicated that tbis issue may fit part of this conversation as it is an issue that will affect three of the municipalities directly. Mayor Probst asked if the meeting date has been scheduled. Mr. Fritsinger stated tbat it bas been. Mayor Probst requested additional information regarding the meeting of the Fire Board and the issue of the cash reserves. Councilmember Larson stated that there is a concern for the continued reliance on this money. If an emergency situation were to come up, something else would have to be cut to pay for it wbile waiting for Board approval. Councilmember Larson stated that one item whicb had been discussed is the fact that the casb balance is $465,000 and the consensus was that only five percent of this is needed for operating each year. The rest of the funds could be set aside in a Capital Fund that tbe Fire Department could not spend without Board approval. Mr. Fritsinger indicated that one issue whicb Arden Hills will be faced with is the fact tbat tbe roof on Station number one is need of repair and may need to be done sooner than expected. Historically, Arden Hills does not prefer to pay for tbis sort of expense in an unbudgeted manner and as a result tbe City may be expected to use its otber funds to make these repairs or the department asked to forego other planned improvements. Mayor Probst asked how much the roof repairs would cost. Mr. Fritsinger stated that it would cost approximately $35,000. Mayor Probst stated tbat tbe reason he had brought this issue up was tbat, although there is a need for casb reserves, he believes $465,000 is too mucb. He stated tbat there should be a way to bring this down to a more reasonable balance.