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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, January 25, 2010 Page 18 Councilmember Roe, not leaning toward either option, noted that the City cur- rently had both processes (i.e., Liquor Control, Community Development De- partment); and that he tended to lean toward the City Council for appeal, how- ever, had not finalized that position. City Manager Malinen advised that he heard Administrative Fine appeals; and could consult further with the City Attorney and make a recommendation to the City Council. Councilmember Johnson expressed his concern that there appeared to be signifi- cant ambiguity from his review of the ordinance, and suggested that staff look at it again toward that concern to avert future complaints. c. Discuss Tower Rental Fees Finance Director Chris Miller, by previous request of the City Council, provided background information on tower and ground equipment lease fees and their allo- cation since their inception and initial tower construction in 1997 and receipt of fees in 1999. Mr. Miller noted that fees from that initial tower were earmarked to repay an internal loan used to purchase land in what is now known as Reservoir Woods, with that loan repaid from available tax increment financing (TIF) pro- ceeds in 1999, allowing tower fees to be redirected to the City's IT function. Mr. Miller noted that these fees, as detailed in the Request for Council Action dated January 25, 2010, along with revenue derived from Joint Powers Agree- ments (JPA's) had allowed the City to provide IT services almost exclusively without property tax dollars, with those fees benefiting all City functions in a pro- portionate manner for IT hardware and software purchases and updates, and IT support staff. Mr. Miller advised that he could find no other definitive formal dis- cussion, action or policy at the City Council level from his review of meeting minutes as to the discussion points or rationale for that earmarking at that time. Councilmember Johnson, who initiated this request for background information, thanked Mr. Miller for providing it. Mayor Klausing, in response to Councilmember Johnson's query on any City Council perspectives on that decision-making, advised that he had served on the City's Infrastructure Advisory Commission during that time when the Reservoir Woods property was acquired; and advised that he had then and continued to support the City Council making decisions based on priorities and spending at a program and policy level, and was not as concerned about where those particular funds came from or how they contributed the City. Councilmember Johnson didn't disagree; however, he advised that his interest had been sparked when the IT Department sought the addition of an additional '/z FTE position in their department, rationalizing and justifying that request based on them not using tax revenue. Councilmember Johnson questioned the transparency