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City Council Minutes Page 7 <br /> September 5,2017 <br /> ----------------------------- <br /> and social engagement role and will help the other communication staff be better <br /> utilized. <br /> Councilmember Ovall expressed concerns operationally and culturally for the new <br /> role,noting they will be requesting more data from staff in order to feed social <br /> media. <br /> Mayor Dietz stated the position is important for community engagement noting <br /> many people don't have an understanding of government. <br /> Mayor Dietz questioned if any funding in this year's budget can be used to purchase <br /> items early. <br /> It was noted staff will need to review the matter. <br /> Mr. Portner discussed the lighting request from the youth football association. He <br /> stated this funding should be from reserves and not the parks maintenance budget. <br /> Councilmember Wagner stated there seems to be miscommunication between staff <br /> and the association regarding lighting costs. She stated the lighting request was <br /> discussed last fall with no action yet. She would like the city to continue to work with <br /> associations and is fearful they will become frustrated and stop bringing money to <br /> the table. She stated the youth association wants to pay for the lights over a number <br /> of years. <br /> Mr. Portner stated staff would not recommend a seven-year payment plan as <br /> requested by the association. He questioned how the city can hold the association <br /> accountable for payments if they default. He stated the city could kick them off the <br /> fields but it won't look good to the public/media. He further noted Council will have <br /> to develop a policy on the matter if they want to allow it. <br /> Councilmember Wagner stated she is unsure whether the requested fire captain and <br /> second patrol officer position should stay in the budget. She questioned if$15.4 <br /> million is an appropriate amount to the Council for what is needed to run the city. <br /> She questioned the value of the academy training to the residents of Elk River. <br /> Mr. Portner stated the academy training adds revenue. He stated that public safety is <br /> our largest annual expenditure and the only true means to slow the growth of public <br /> safety expenditures is by decreasing the demand for service by assisting with public <br /> education in the neighborhoods needing help, and strengthen the rental inspection <br /> program and ensuring the housing stock does not decay. He stated the city can't <br /> afford to tear down dilapidated homes and needs to encourage maintenance via <br /> education and engagement. <br /> Mayor Dietz also questioned the need for the fire captain position. He further stated <br /> the city can't control valuation and can't have the philosophy to never increase <br /> expenditures either because then it will have to look at cutting services. <br /> UREJ <br />