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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, November 16, 2009 Page 12 zens to replenish specific funds, then user fees should be reduced (i.e., water, sewer) to provide more cash flow for citizens. Mr. Andersen opined that, com- pared to other communities, it appeared that the City of Roseville was hoarding money. Mr. Andersen thanked Councilmembers for their time and efforts on behalf of the community. Councilmember Roe directed the public to the City's Finance Department web- page, and the ten-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) demonstrating antici- pated needs and expenditures for that period. John Abler, SW corner of RV, 21 year resident Mr. Abler opined that recently, property taxes were out of line, with the country in the middle of a recession and that the City needed to do more with less, similar to all citizens. Mr. Abler cited several northern suburbs (Anoka and Ramsey?) that had actually kept their levies at zero percent; and neighboring Falcon Heights proposing a minimal 1.25% levy increase. Mr. Abler encouraged Councilmem- bers to keep the 2010 Levy close to or at zero percent; and addressed senior citi- zens looking at a zero percent cost-of-living increase in 2010; and were not in a position to pay increased property taxes with no additional income to do so. Mr. Abler noted that, while Mr. Miller addressed past budgets as going down an unsustainable path, as a taxpayer, he couldn't continue to pay double-digit in- creases. Mr. Abler expressed his dissatisfaction specifically with the City's police department and services; and expressed frustration in where the money went. Mr. Abler suggested that the City Manager be more creative in budgeting; and advised that he would try to remain optimistic, but hoped that he wouldn't read in the lo- cal newspaper of the final budget and levy at a 9% increase. Randy Neprash, 1276 Eldridge Avenue Mr. Neprash, speaking on behalf of the Board of the Roseville Citizens League (RCL), advised that they had developed no position on specific line items or pri- orities, but would like to convey several opinions regarding aspects of the BFO budgeting process. The RCL commended City staff, with City Council support, for the various programs and components designed to increase public understand- ing of the budget process and to involved citizens, an effort not seen in past years. Mr. Neprash highlighted some of those efforts, including four public meetings scheduled over the summer months; the instant survey process for participants at those meetings; availability of budget materials on the City's website; and the Roseville University program; materials for budget process on website. Mr. Ne- prash noted that it was unfortunate that attendance at the community meetings was too low to provide a lot of weight on the instant survey results; however, opined that the materials presented were instructive, while limiting the results of