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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, October 26, 2009 Page 14 Councilmember Ihlan advised that she did not wish to change her ranking on the lost State Aid, and was prepared to make a motion to allow transparency and clar- ity for the public. Councilmember Roe opined that as the rankings were updated on the matrix, it accomplished the same thing. Councilmember Ihlan reiterated her opinion that the rankings served the same function as a vote, and had the potential to be unclear to the public. City Manager Malinen clarified that this was part of the budgetary tool during the ranking process. Councilmember Johnson concurred that this was a fluid process, with the intent to use it to conform to a final responsible budget. Councilmember Roe opined that the Council was not taking votes on a budget at this time, but simply moving along in the budget ranking process. Councilmem- ber Roe noted that, when it came time to consider budget motions at the end of the process and prior to adopting the final levy and budget for 2010, individual Councilmembers had the option to make a motion according to their preference on all line items. Councilmember Roe advised that, from an Open Meeting Law perspective, he had no problem with ongoing discussions and continuing to work through the process; recommending that staff keep the tool up-to-date as re- ranking occurred on the website for the public's benefit and to ensure continued transparency. Mr. Miller noted that the re-rankings were being updated on line as discussion en- sued at tonight's meeting. To that end, Mayor Klausing and Councilmembers Roe and Klausing provided Mr. Miller with re-rankings on various items. Additional discussion included further ranking and resorting of line items; current programming at the highest levy level under the nine percent as adopted in the Preliminary Levy; with staff requested to provide additional scenarios at reduced percentages for discussion purposes and further consideration prior to the Truth In Taxation public hearing on the 2010 budget to allow sufficient public reaction to the direction proposed by City Council rankings. Councilmember Roe requested that staff return to the November 9, 2009 meeting with their recommendations continuing with the line item, rather than in aggregate form; indicating the initial ranking, current and revised ranking, and how to make reductions to achieve the selected levy amount.