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<br />City Council Study Session -11/15/04 <br />Minutes - Page 9 <br /> <br />Mayor Klausing read through the ten directives to confirm <br />consensus, noting that this would account for a 9.5% levy <br />increase; and further clarified that there were not three majority <br />votes to eliminate Directive #5 (elimination of one maintenance <br />position). <br /> <br />Councilmember Ihlan spoke in support of reducing COLA to <br />2.5% in an effort not to eliminate the maintenance position; and <br />suggested other budget line items (i.e., supplies) as a way to <br />further reduce costs. Councilmember Ihlan noted that most of <br />the complaints brought to her attention regarded park or street <br />maintenance, due to their visibility, and opined that further staff <br />reductions in maintenance may create more long-run problems. <br /> <br />Mayor Klausing noted the lack of consensus with the Council <br />currently split 2/2 on this issue. <br /> <br />Councilmember Maschka opined the need to correct the <br />structural Issue now, which would require elimination of <br />positions. <br /> <br />Councilmember Kough questioned further reducing <br />contributions to the Northwest Youth and Family Services <br />(NYFS), encouraging them to be self-supporting. <br /> <br />Councilmember Maschka presented, via bench handout, services <br />and costs to-date through September for the NYFS; and opined <br />that services to children at risk was not the place to make a cut. <br /> <br />Further discussion ensued, with Councilmembers Maschka, <br />Ihlan, and Schroeder providing consensus for continuing support <br />at current levels to the NYFS. <br /> <br />Councilmember Ihlan noted that she had made her case for not <br />eliminating the maintenance position, but would let Council <br />consensus make that determination. <br /> <br />Councilmember Schroeder spoke in support of maintaining the <br />position; but opined that he would not support a 9.5% budget <br />