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Regular City Council Meeting <br />Monday, December 21, 2009 <br />Page 15 <br />which vehicles to replace with tax money. Councilmember Ihlan noted that the City <br />Council has never prioritized or ranked the CIP, and needed to do so before further <br />budget decisions were made, and make decisions on which were required for replacement <br />and which could be deferred, or those the fleet could reduce. Councilmember Ihlan fur- <br />ther opined that the City of Roseville was out of step with environmental movements, <br />since it was so focused on vehicle replacements; and should instead look at hybrid vehi- <br />cles in the fleet. <br />Councilmember Roe noted that this proposed amendment would reduce the budget and <br />levy by approximately $35,000 based on his calculations; and noted that one squad car <br />was no longer part of the original request, since the position had not been filled. Coun- <br />cilmember Roe provided a breakdown of the remaining expenditures, including those for <br />the new fire engine; police vehicles; dump truck with plow; sidewalk maintenance <br />equipment; and a park maintenance truck. <br />City Manager Malinen noted that staff had discussed and considered hybrid vehicles; <br />however, noted that this impacted maintenance and repair service technologies for in- <br />house or contracted out repairs; and suggested that this may have slowed down the City's <br />implementation of alternative fuel vehicles. Mr. Malinen noted that, without a more de- <br />tailed comparison to that of Dallas, TX, it was difficult to determine cost savings since <br />their operations may not be similar to those of Roseville; and suggested further discus- <br />sion at the City Council level on impacts and costs for maintenance and repairs in the <br />overall consideration. <br />Councilmember Pust clarified that her purpose in the proposed amendment was not im- <br />plying that staff was not making responsible decisions. <br />Councilmember Johnson spoke in opposition to the motion; noting the number of vehi- <br />cles not funded last year, and only making each succeeding year more difficult. <br />Roll Call <br />Ayes: Ihlan and Pust. <br />Nays: Johnson; Roe; and HIausing. <br />Motion failed. <br />In an effort to reduce the proposed tax levy based on the City Council's obligation to its <br />taxpayers, Councilmember Ihlan recommended a thorough review of the City's vehicle <br />replacement situation, and suggested deferrals of those vehicles based on prioritizing <br />needs and safety considerations. <br />Mayor Klausing questioned whether the City Council was in a position to make compe- <br />tent decisions on which vehicles should be replaced and which should be deferred; opin- <br />ing that the City Council is responsible for making policy decisions, not operational deci- <br />sions. <br />