CC_Minutes_2010_1206 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Regular City Council Meeting Monday, December 06, 2010 Page 11 Councilmember Johnson questioned if the three (3) retiring police officers were intended to be replaced, with Mr. Miller responding affirmatively. Councilmember Roe questioned if the Assistant Fire Chief position had been funded in 2010, but not proposed for 2011; with Mr. Miller responding affirma- tively. Councilmember Ihlan referenced Mr. Grefenberg's questions related to confe- rences, in particular travel, and whether funding for 2011 for training and confe- rences was the same as 2010. Mr. Miller advised that staff was recommending no changes, and that the same amount had been allocated for 2011 as in 2010 for travel and training; noting that Department Heads had yet to solidify which employees would be attending confe- rences, based on changing mandates, and depending on staff and where training needs are most needed. Discussion included City Council approval for any out -of -state conferences; with City Manager Malinen reminding Councilmembers that their action of 2010 had been to limit training to only mandatory training and to eliminate travel, lodging and meals for attendance at any of those conferences. Councilmember Johnson recalled that those items were considered by the City Council on the Consent Agenda; with City Manager Malinen advising that they were presented for City Council consideration after the first of the year for one ac- tion. At the request of Councilmember Pust, Mr. Malinen confirmed that, to his know- ledge, no additional conferences or training occurred than those approved on the list presented at the beginning of 2010. Councilmember Ihlan reiterated her request to work through the list of new tax levy dollars to seek further reductions. Prior to further discussion, Councilmember Pust clarified with Mr. Miller that the $236,375 allotment for Capital improvements and equipment purchases (line 28 of the RCA) was duplicated on line 36 as a reduction in the net tax levy increase and taken from cash reserves, via previous City Council action for use of the TIF proceeds. Councilmember Pust suggested, for the historical record, that this be more accurately detailed to avoid confusion that this money was taken from long- term reserve funds. Councilmember Pust further noted that the combined 1% employee COLA and step increases and the PERA and Healthcare increases (lines 29 and 30 of the