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Regular City Council Meeting Monday,April 11,2011 Page 21 shorter time frame. Councilmember Johnson opined that it was the City Manag- er's duty and job to present a budget, and that he was owed the courtesy to pro- vide a type of budget from which to manage the day-to-day operations of the City; and if a biennial budget was the best tool for him to work with, that request should be accommodated. Mayor Roe opined that a biennial budget was a good tool, allowing for a broader spending plan for allocation of resources over the next two (2) years; and that it would remain subject to annual review in accordance with statutory requirements and annual levy adoption. Mayor Roe suggested that the City Council may wish to request more frequent financial reports of staff in monitoring the budget process. Councilmember McGehee strongly advocated for monthly financial reports; opin- ing that the City Council only had two (2) responsibilities as per State Statute: budget and long-range planning. Councilmember McGehee asked that City At- torney Bartholdi review the legalities of the City adopting a biennial budget, giv- en her research with the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC) and their policy re- search. City Attorney Bartholdi offered to perform that research and report back, at the direction of the City Council; but suggested that the question may be more appro- priately addressed by the City's auditor. By consensus, the City Council directed City Attorney Bartholdi to provide a le- gal opinion on whether the City could meet statutory requirements if it adopted a biennial budget process. Councilmember Pust clarified that she was not advocating that the City Council should not see an annual spending plan; and that a biennial budget would not re- duce any information currently being provided to the City Council and public. Johnson moved, Pust seconded, adoption of Resolution No. 10889 (Attachment A) entitled, "Resolution Providing Concept Approval of a Two-Year Budget for the Fiscal Years of 2012 and 2013." Roll Call Ayes: Willmus; Pust; Johnson; and Roe. Nays: McGehee. Motion carried. Public Comment on Budget Process in General Dick Houck, 1131 Roselawn Mr. Houck opined that each level of government was broke, whether federal, state or municipal; that government was funded through its citizens; and that the defi-