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City Council Study Session —10/18/04 DRAFT Minutes - Page 16 Councilmember Maschka further opined his support for appointment of a Task Force to return to the State legislature regarding the original intent and concept for the OVAL as a regional facility. Memberships/Conferences Councilmember Schroeder provided additional proposals for reductions in tax-supported, structural operating costs, proposing eliminating the annual City Council goal-setting session; canceling National League of Cities annual meeting attendance; consider canceling membership in the I-35W Corridor Coalition and whether that would have longer-term additional expenses; and cancellation of involvement and/or membership in the Ambassador Foundation and Sister City programs. Councilmember Schroeder encouraged each department to review their proposed conference attendance for 2005, commending them for their voluntary reductions in 2004. Councilmember Schroeder further suggested elimination of funding for the wading pool and a third Skid steer. Councilmember Schroeder encouraged staff to better schedule their work with existing equipment. Councilmember Schroeder noted that these further proposed reductions would be more prudent than considering additional Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA reductions. Councilmember Kough proposed a 2.5% COLA, similar to the national level this year; along with elimination of the $45,000 support for Northwest Youth and Family Services (NYFS). Councilmembers Maschka and Schroeder spoke against elimination of funding for the NYFS, opining that the overall impact and advantage to the community in serving disadvantaged kids far outweighed the cost; and that elimination of the funding would eventually cost the City far more. Leaf Collection Program Upon polling Councilmembers, there was no consensus to eliminate the City's leaf collection program at this time.