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Regular City Council Meeting — O1/26/04 <br />DRAFT Minutes - Page 31 <br />municipal election candidates would most-likely be in attendance <br />at the proposed Town Hall meetings in February, March and <br />April; and any new Councilmember would experience a learning <br />curve during their initial service. Councilmember Maschka <br />noted that the Council needed to recognize changing <br />demographics, initiate a visioning process for the "big picture," <br />and develop a work product that anyone could step into. <br />City Manager Neal Beets requested Finance Director Chris <br />Miller to review the strategic 2005 Budget plan used by staff. <br />Finance Director Miller noted that, while City Council <br />discussions on the budget typically were done in August and <br />September, staff began formulating internal budget proj ections in <br />April and May of the previous year; then combine all city-wide <br />proposed budgets in June; with final preliminary <br />recommendations provided to the City Council in mid-July. Mr. <br />Miller noted that this was staffs rationale for recommending the <br />goal-setting process prior to staff discussions in order to <br />incorporate policy discussions on a priority level. <br />Councilmember Kough opined his preference for meeting with <br />staff as outlined. <br />Mayor Klausing opined that by pursuing the process <br />immediately, there would still be four Councilmembers involved <br />in the process; and should Ms. Ihlan be elected at the Special <br />Election, concerns would be a mute point; and further opined <br />that any elected body was continually subject to change, <br />reiterating his imperative that the process be pursued as soon as <br />possible. Mayor Klausing noted that, while Saturdays are not <br />preferred meeting days, meeting out of the context of a formal <br />meeting provided a different atmosphere and perspective. <br />Councilmember Schroeder reiterated his perspective and opined <br />the disadvantages of the proposed process and timing of the <br />process. <br />Councilmember Maschka summarized the various phases of the <br />proposed goal-setting plan and Town Hall meetings; and noted <br />that the new Council person would be on board as the process <br />