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City Council Study Session —10/18/04 <br />DRAFT Minutes - Page 14 <br />to provide a"big picture" of political appropriations. <br />Councilmember Ihlan spoke in support of reevaluating the <br />benefits to justify membership. <br />Councilmember Maschka spoke in support of continuing <br />membership for this service, noting past experience and <br />involvement with the state legislature, and the need to protect the <br />best interests of the community. <br />Mayor Klausing directed staff to report back to the Council <br />specifically on the Community Development Department budget <br />and how fees were calculated prior to final decisions being made <br />regarding the department. <br />Housing & Redevelopment Authority (HRA) Levy/Budget <br />Councilmember Ihlan proposed that, in an effort for the Council <br />to get control over the HRA budget for reasons of accountability <br />for expenditures, the HRA become an advisory commission; and <br />that $100,000 be allocated, rather than the suggested HRA Levy <br />of $250,000 to accommodate staff salaries and basic services of <br />the HRA; and elimination of additional funding to purchase <br />properties at this time as not an essential or core function. <br />City Manager Beets questioned impacts to the City's General <br />Levy. <br />Councilmember Maschka noted that, while the City could do as <br />Councilmember Ihlan proposed, with the preliminary Levy limit <br />already set, and by moving the HRA programs back into the <br />General Levy, it would be in effect increasing the structural <br />deficit. <br />Mayor Klausing concurred that this would be moving in the <br />wrong direction as it would increase General Fund obligations. <br />Councilmember Maschka proposed considering Councilmember <br />Ihlan's proposal for the following year. <br />Councilmember Ihlan continued to seek support for cutting those <br />items not of highest priority rather than cutting essential services <br />