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<br />City Council Study Session -10/18/04 <br />Minutes - Page 9 <br /> <br />City Manager Beets noted that above-referenced directives of the <br />City Council would require consideration of long-term <br />reductions in tax-supported operating costs (i.e., personnel). Mr. <br />Beets advised that, in considering reductions to the workforce, he <br />had evaluated positions to recommend for reduction; researched <br />where impacts had been most profound in the last two years of <br />funding crises; and what programs seemed the least <br />representative of the City's core service delivery. Mr. Beets <br />advised that he had recommended elimination of five positions <br />and sought specific Council direction regarding each position. <br /> <br />4. Should Council eliminate the Naturalist position? <br />Discussion <br />Mayor Klausing noted that previous discussions and public <br />response would indicate that this item be removed from <br />consideration. However, Mayor Klausing charged the Friends of <br />the Harriet Alexander Nature Center (HANC) to provide a <br />specific plan to the City staff and Council that justified revenues <br />to maintain this position as full-time; rather than as previously <br />recommended by City Manager Beets for filling the position <br />with a part-time Naturalist and volunteer labor. <br /> <br />Councilmember Kough suggested additional fundraisers be <br />considered to off-set costs for this full-time position. <br /> <br />City Manager Beets questioned whether fundraising efforts were <br />permanent long-term solutions, or simply expressions of support <br />on a sporadic basis. <br /> <br />Councilmember Ihlan questioned the assumption that the HANC <br />would produce revenue that would make it self-sustaining; but <br />spoke in support of the services; and spoke against eliminating <br />the position at this time. <br /> <br />Mayor Klausing opined that the original intent of the position <br />was billed as a revenue producer; rather than a burden against <br />other park and recreation services. <br /> <br />City Manager Beets clarified that the HANC was producing <br />revenue, but was not in line with operating costs; and that staff <br />continued to work on business plans to increase revenue, but he <br />