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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, December 06, 2010 Page 4 their incomes; and suggested that the City employees be subject to the same wage situations as John Q. Public and that all city contracts, including labor contracts needed to be renegotiated. Mr. Ryan noted the differences in the presentations of Mr. Lambert and Mr. Miller; and opined that the business climate hasn't been this bad in his years of business since 1984; and expressed frustration that everyone working in the public sector appeared to be protected, but not those in the private sector. Mr. Ryan further opined that business owners were forced to use their money to meet government mandates rather than put that money back into the business; and that he was forced to charge his employees more for their health benefits. Mr. Ryan reiterated his frustration and lack of concern of the City in what was going on with the general public; and opined that it was irresponsible to pass a budget with any levy increase at all. Gary Grefenberg, 91 Mid Oaks Lane Mr. Grefenberg referenced Mr. Lambert's annual presentation on wages and property values going down in comparison to Mr. Miller's presentation. Mr. Grefenberg noted that, based on property values, his property taxes went up 9 but his value went down; and opined that this was comparable for his neighbors as well. Mr. Grefenberg questioned whether the City was still contributing to the Chamber of Commerce, a political lobbying body; and the projected amount for 2011 conferences. Mayor Klausing advised that the City Council had not been a member of the North Suburban Chamber of Commerce for several years; and had eliminated membership in the St. Paul Cham- ber of Commerce at least eight (8) years ago. City Manager Malinen recalled that the 2011 conference and training allotment of $36,000 was comparable to that of 2010. Mr. Grefenberg expressed his concern that sacrifices from the current economy be shared by the private and public sectors, the City and its constituents; with no one getting pay increases. Mr. Grefenberg noted his understanding that the proposed Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) pro posed at one percent (1 would be neutral when increased employee health care and pension costs were taken into consideration; however, he requested that any step increases be reconsi- dered. Mr. Grefenberg expressed appreciation for the administrative review of the Community Development Department in reducing the pay grade for one position, with another position elim- inated, even though that position was of value to the City during its tenure. Mr. Grefenberg sug- gested other areas for review that are not critical to the government operation, including a freeze on conference spending, to provide another sign to taxpayers that the City Council is taking se- riously that it can no longer keep increasing the tax levy. Mayor Klausing provided his personal perspective on conferences allowing employees to do their jobs more effectively, to compare best management practices (BMP's) with their peers; and to bring back skills and/or ideas that will improve the efficiency of them and their fellow em- ployees, providing a greater return on taxpayer investment, and were not a perk for employees, but provided them the ability to provide better services to taxpayers. Mayor Klausing noted that it was a regular practice in past City Councils for Mayors and individual Councilmembers to at-