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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, December 07, 2009 Page 13 that could be frozen in 2010, similar to reductions in private industry during this economic time. Discussion included optional training versus mandatory training for licensing purposes; availability of training in state or online; and ensuring training avail- ability during regular hours where possible. Councilmember Ihlan noted that previous discussions on eliminating outdoor skating rinks included not just utility costs and flooding the rinks, but also a por- tion of employee time. Councilmember Ihlan referenced a recent article in the Star Tribune, discussing other communities experiencing similar rink issues; and suggested that the information provided in the matrix was not transparent to indi- cate this and other areas where positions were proposed for elimination; and sug- gested more city-wide discussion was .needed before such action was taken. Councilmember Ihlan questioned how much money would actually be realized and other areas where cost.savings could be found to avoid eliminating positions. Councilmember Johnson thanked Councilmember Ihlan for addressing this issue of reduced staffing. Councilmember Johnson requested additional information from Acting Chief Mathwig and his staff, related to the new records management system being brought into service, on whether the administrative charges were remaining the same or increasing. Councilmember Johnson addressed Finance Director Miller on anticipated surplus revenue projections from the License Center; with Mr. Miller anticipating a small surplus, but not comparable to other years based on lower car sales volumes and vacant positions at the Center not being filled based on that lower volume. Councilmember Pust questioned how the reductions implemented mid-year in the 2009 budget were reflected in the Springsted report and development of the 161 line items following the 2009 budget adoption; with some correlation in those items highlighted on the matrix in orange, but not all inclusive. Finance Director Miller advised that it was the understanding that, while staff had been tasked with making those reductions of approximately $300,000 to the 2009 adopted budget, it was with the recognition that they were not sustainable or de- sirable, and that programs and services would be prioritized for 2010. Mr. Miller opined that it was conceivable that some reductions would be reinstated, several of which were positions in the Fire and Parks & Recreation Department that had not been filled.