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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, December 21, 2009 Page 13 Public Works Superintendent Duane Schwartz, addressing impacts to the PMP, advised that since expenditures to this fund came from interest earnings, not the principal, not bringing it back to full funding would reduce the City's ability to provide adequate pro- jects to keep the pavement index levels where they should be. Mayor Klausing noted that previous City Councils had established the PMP fund pre- cisely to avoid major expenses to its taxpayers and to spread out reconstruction and main- tenance costs. Councilmember Pust spoke in support of the motion, anticipating economic recovery in 2011. Councilmember Pust reviewed the three proposed pieces in the budget needed to put the City's financial house back in order; and her overall support in doing so. How- ever, Councilmember Pust opined that this wasn't the year to accomplish it all; and that the majority of the problem is due to state actions, not based on the stupidity of the City Council. Councilmember Roe noted that this was a new consideration for him, and that he formu- lated his point of view based on tonight's discussion. Councilmember Roe spoke in op- position to the motion, based on the step proposed in paying for vehicle replacement, while not being the total amount needed, it represented a significant step forward; and if put off longer, it would only put the City and its taxpayers in a worse position for 2011. Councilmember Roe opined that this would be similar to unsustainable actions taken in past years, bringing the City to the height of the crisis in 2009; and that this internal loan needed to be repaid and taken off the books, allowing that additional funding to improve the City's overall situation in 2011 for vehicle replacement. Councilmember Johnson expressed appreciation for Councilmember Pust's input and suggestions, as well as her rationale; however, he spoke in opposition to the motion, con- curring with Councilmember Roe and Mayor Klausing and the need to have relief in 2011 from this $490,000 payment to address other needs. Roll Call Ayes: Ihlan and Pust. Nays: Johnson, Roe; and Klausing. Motion failed. Councilmember Pust expressed interest in taxpayers understanding the ramifications of the state decision-making on local government, specifically the need to levy an additional $450,000 against citizens due to state action and in order to bring the City back to where it needed to be. Councilmember Pust questioned whether it made political and or policy sense for the City Council to levy it back. Mayor Klausing noted that the problem was due to reductions in property taxes by the state and not funding that money back to local government. Mayor Klausing noted that