CCP 12-16-1996 - Laserfiche WebLink

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WJ IruUJ/J' n - ARDEN HILLS TRUTH-IN-TAXA nON - DECEMBER 5. 1996 4 I upward mobility except in the case of the arsenal, which most citizens seem to agree is now in the -, distant future. There also is not much additional traffic capacity in many areas of the City. I Mr. Aiken commended Mr. Post on his presentation but stated he would recommend the charts be more user friendly, He suggested that more general information is educational and useful for the I public; more specific information should be included in the charts rather than listed on separate sheets (or both); each chart should be fully explained in its respective categories; the relationship of the funds should be emphasized and the role they play; and the total assets, liabilities, fund equity, I and maintenance and total available funds of the City should be described. Mr. Aiken stated he felt the engineer had difficulty explaining what the Pavement Management I Progranl was at the recent informational meeting. He noted he also has difficulty in identifying the budget materials alone without referring to the annual budget document He felt there was a similar problem with the tracking of administrative costs. He suggested a system be used that is similar to I that utilized by non-profit organizations which would track administrative costs versus programs provided in percentage terms. This could provide an accurate figure of how much is being spent on priorities versus administration, I Mr. Aiken questioned the City's rationale for hiring a full-time building inspector. He also questioned the contracting of engineering services at a rate of 15% on street projects and the .. contracting of legal services with an attorney who happens to work for the City of Shoreview. Mr. Aiken noted there has been a 137% increase in Planning and Zoning expenditures since 1992 and I questioned when the residents would see the results of these expenditures. He noted the expenditure of$50,000 for the Comprehensive Plan Update and questioned ifsome of the results of the prior year research on the economic development of the Arsenal could be utilized to reduce the cost. He also I questioned the consequence if the Update was not done. Mr. Aiken questioned the expenditure of $16,900 for a copier and P.C. workstation. Mr. Aiken questioned the necessity of the GIS system. He encouraged the City to go with less expensive or nonproprietary software _ hardware setup and I utilize citizen resources. Mr. Aiken questioned the accumulation of$I,700,000 for the proposed new City Hall. He noted the I Council has been accruing monies from the general fund since 1994 on an average of$125,000 per year. He asked if the expenditure of the $125,000 out of the General Food money ""ill be continued to fund capital expansion. If so, what is the City planning to buy? Couldn't this money be I benefiting residents now, rather than years from now? Mr. Aiken asked if the commitment to the Blaine Hockey Facility will affect the City of Arden Hills I in town expenditures for skating rinks and how this commitment will be reflected in the Budget. Mayor Probst stated the suggestions made by Mr. Aiken in regard to the presentation of the Budget I have been duly noted by Mr. Post for consideration. .. I