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<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - MAY 8, 2000 <br /> <br />i..\..V~ <br /> <br />.(1 <br />~~ <br />~ <br /> <br />7 <br /> <br />Councilmember Grant stated that revenue from water tower antennae would be a visible source <br />of fund5 when there is a budget shortfall. He added the videotapes of Council sessions could be <br />an opportunity for the Council to cOnnect with residents, but their quality is poor, He noted the <br />allocated funds could be used in the upgrade of communications design for the new City Hall. <br /> <br />Councilmember Aplikowski stated that the Council should start a Communications Fund, which <br />would enable the Council to do its job better, and allow City staff to keep up with changes in <br />technology, <br /> <br />Councilmember Rem stated that a source of funding for the new City Hall communications <br />systems is in a Cable Fund that can only be used for communications, She expressed agreement <br />that video taping of council meetings should be improved, She added that funding for parks & <br />recreation would be an important community outreach vehicle, <br /> <br />Councilmember Larson expressed concern with regard to setting up special funds, He added a <br />similar debate is going on at the state legislature, and there is concern with regard to setting up <br />special funds rather than letting the use of those monies vie in the political process with other <br />needs of the state, <br /> <br />Councilmember Larson stated he agrees that more money for communications and the City's <br />parks is a good idea, but added he would rather the Council had discretion to make funding <br />decisions rather than setting aside special project funds, <br /> <br />Mayor Probst stated he has strongly supported both improved communications as well as parks <br />and recreation, He added he feels uncomfortable hearing this issue for the first time and taking <br />action, He noted that he would have difficulty supporting the dedication of funds for specific <br />purposes, <br /> <br />Mr. Post stated that the Council had recently endorsed a policy that called for charitable <br />gambling contributions to be spent on public safety and parks & recreation, He added that as of <br />the end of 1999, there was a large sum remaining in the Community Services Fund at the <br />discretion of the Council to be spent in those two areas, He noted that funding for the new City <br />Hall's communications system is more than adequate, He asked whether the additional water <br />tower antennae revenue would be above and beyond the budgeted funds, Grant confirmed this, <br /> <br />Mr. Post suggested that the Council consider the revenue source as an additional governor on any <br />future tax levy increases, <br /> <br />Mayor Probst stated that, with regard to audio-visual equipment for the new city hall, funding <br />decisions will be made by the Council and not through funding capability, He added that the <br />Council might wish to consider how much to spend on such issues in the new City Hall. <br /> <br />Councilmember Grant stated he had reviewed various City accounts and budgets, adding he does <br />not believe that adding one more special fund would be cumbersome, He noted that there had <br />not been sufficient funds to complete improvements in Sampson Park, and asked why this was <br />the case, <br />