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DRAFT Special City Council Work Plan Meeting 1 Monday, February 7, 2011 Page 4 Councilmember Johnson advised that all he sought was a more detailed check ledger from the Finance Department, showing broader account detail allowing him to review that data on a monthly basis to determine what was being spent and where it was being spent. Councilmember Johnson suggested that the data was already there, but it was a matter of individual Councilmembers and the public knowing what tools were being presented and how to decipher it with the broader picture. Mayor Roe suggested that the overall theme appeared to be to continue to fine- tune the budget process to develop and document the budget that matches how the Finance Department presents quarterly reports to the City Council and addresses the annual audit that would also allow easier evaluation of data and facilitate City Council decision-making. Councilmember McGehee requested reports usually submitted quarterly, but done so on a monthly basis. Within her Planning initiative, Councilmember McGehee suggested staff support for community-based planning through Charette processes allowing for communi- ty buy in and their ideas being brought forward. Councilmember McGehee noted the example in St. Louis Park of the Excelsior/Grand project, as well as one in Boulder, CO and well documented at the University of Minnesota. Discussion included how the Charette process would be applied for private and public properties, with Councilmember McGehee suggesting that the City have a stronger role in developing a better plan for development and/or redevelopment throughout the community; with Councilmember Willmus expressing concern in assuring property rights were maintained and addressing how to balance proposed land uses with less intense uses that may occur. Mayor Roe noted that such a process depended on specific sites and their specific situations; with different types of processes often indicated, suggesting that a Cha- rette process may work for development or redevelopment of a multi-family hous- ing facility in a Community Business/Mixed Use area. d. Council Member Johnson Councilmember Johnson reviewed his suggested initiatives (Attachment 3.d) and expounded on them further; emphasizing that his major concern and priority was to solve the long- and short-term Capital Investment Plan (CIP) shortages as part of the overall budget process, based on realistic expectations not significant and long-term tax increases. Councilmember Johnson spoke in support of a Task Force to specifically and aggressively address this issue, whether composed of two (2) Councilmembers to work with staff and the City Manager, or representing a broader base. Councilmember Johnson assured all that he understood that Finance Director Miller, while delivering the same daunting message annually on