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<br />City Council Study Session - 08/16/04 <br />Minutes - Page 14 <br /> <br />August 11, 2004 addressing impacts of budget recommendations. <br />Councilmember Schroeder concurred with impacts of staff <br />reductions to an already over-taxed maintenance crew. <br />Councilmelnber Schroeder opined that the City's infrastructure <br />was not being adequately maintained at current staffing level, <br />and recon1ll1ended additional staffing in the maintenance areas to <br />increase trail and sidewalk maintenance. Councilmember <br />Schroeder used Councilmelnber Kough's initiation of additional <br />City beautification efforts and the maintenance department <br />resources required with additional expectations. <br /> <br />Counciln1ember Kough addressed his expectations for internal <br />maintenance of city-owned police squad cars and other city- <br />owned vehicles upon con1pletion of the public safety building to <br />alleviate contract maintenance costs. Councilmember Kough <br />sought clarification of contract maintenance for pathways. <br /> <br />Ci ty Manager Beets responded that the maintenance was for <br />application of bituminous materials, following initial preparation <br />by city maintenance staff, to reduce maintenance costs. <br /> <br />Councilmember Kough further sought clarification of inter- <br />department cooperation to make the lnost utilization of <br />elnployees at all times. <br /> <br />City Manager Beets responded that as much as is feasible, <br />departments are continually atten1pting to improve their work <br />efficiencies and cooperative relationships. <br /> <br />Mayor Klausing recognized the maintenance issues and opinions <br />of individual Councilmembers, but sought to return to the <br />$700,000 structural deficit in the system and how best to address <br />it. Mayor Klausing noted that with the voter-approved <br />referendum levy increase of 10%, and the City Manager's <br />recommendation for an additional five percent levy increase, <br />unless the public were willing to accept a levy increase of 150A>, <br />SOlne of City Manager Beets' recolnmendations for increasing <br />revenues and/or reducing costs were necessary. <br /> <br />Mayor Klausing noted for staff directive, that there appeared to <br />be no consensus supporting a feasibility study for street lighting <br />