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Executive Session and Regular City Council- 4/7/03 Page 12 park areas to leave them in a more natural state, but did not support eliminating fertilizer, citing the spread of dandelions into residential areas. Councilmember Schroeder reviewed some of his previous suggestions regarding budget reductions, identifying an updated and less expensive phone system (i.e., Centrex); evaluation of staff cell phone use; raising fees for some programs to eliminate or reduce the city subsidy for those programs (i.e., ball field tournament usage fees to include maintenance and restoration); reviewing the distribution and frequency of the employee newsletter; and each department focusing on an analysis of individual reductions in supplies, materials and professional services. Councilmember Kough further suggested future considerations regarding pending legal fees of $50,000 to address personal politics issues in the recent past; and expressed concern regarding reductions in critical services (i.e., Fire and Police Departments); and stated staff reductions would be his last choice in reducing budget deficits. Councilmember Klausing expressed his appreciation to City Manager Beets, Finance Director Miller and their staff for providing recommendations for Council consideration; and sought clarification of personal services assumptions; with Mr. Miller responding as requested to the state's structural balance issues. Councilmember Klausing concluded his queries of Mr. Miller and Mr. Beets, by concurring in theory with Mayor Kysylyczyn that waiting until June of 2003 would be more prudent; however, questioned the Mayor's position in recommending use of reserve funds for 2003. Mayor Kysylyczyn responded to Councilmember Klausing's comments, stating that his previous position was expressed in late 2002 during 2003 budget discussions, but at this time, he preferred not to make drastic changes mid-year to the 2003 budget.