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<br />City Council Minutes <br />December 5, 2005 <br /> <br />Page 2 <br /> <br />4. <br /> <br />Open Mike <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Amy Bodnar, 419 Norfolk Ave - indicated that she believes the City of Elk River should <br />consider adopting a prevailing wage resolution to ensure that contractors that are awarded <br />bids for city projects are paying their workers prevailing wages. Ms. Bodnar distributed a <br />prevailing wage resolution that she received from Coon Rapids. <br /> <br />Jim Lundquist, 21244 Vernon Street - stated that he believes that prevailing wage <br />requirements ensure that the job is completed on a timely basis and is quality work. Mr. <br />Lundquist noted that he believes that the City Council is obligated to spend the taxpayers <br />money wisely and he believes "you get what you pay for". <br /> <br />Greg Hanson, Elk River - indicated that he believes that requiring prevailing wages is a <br />moral obligation of the city and that studies do not show how paying lower wages saves <br />money on a project. He stated that he would be happy to share information he has on <br />prevailing wages with the Council at a later date if they so desire. <br /> <br />Mayor Klinzing stated that Ms. Bodnar is not asking for Council action this evening, she <br />only wishes the Council to consider the item for discussion at a later time. Finance and <br />Administrative Services Director/Interim City Administrator Lori Johnson indicated that <br />she would like the City Attorney to review the resolution but that it could be discussed at <br />the next Council meeting. <br /> <br />Councilmember Motin stated that he does not have a problem with a prevailing wage <br />requirement; however, he is not sure that there is an issue. He would like staff to research <br />past projects to see if the prevailing wage requirements would have been met. Ms. Johnson <br />indicated that staff will review past projects and report back to ,the Council in January. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />5. Truth in Taxation. Public Hearing <br /> <br />Finance and Administrative Services Director/Interim City Admini~trator Lori Johnson <br />stated that the Council approved the maximum tax levy of $8,823,793 in September. Ms. <br />Johnson reviewed a breakdown of the funds. Ms. Johnson compared the tax levy amounts <br />from 2004 through 2006 and indicated that the property tax rate will remain constant if the <br />levy is approved as presented. <br /> <br />Ms. Johnson reviewed general fund revenues and expenditures. She noted that some of the <br />increase in the general fund expenditures has to do with increased fuel and utility costs as <br />well as the Council's desire to include capital outlay items in the general budget rather than <br />paying interest on equipment certificates. <br /> <br />Ms. Johnson indicated that the budget as presented includes adding two engineering <br />technicians, a park maintenance worker, a CSO, a part-time legal administrative assistant, <br />and a IT summer intern this year. She noted that the hiring of the engineering technicians <br />will reduce the city's engineering costs by not having to hire consulting services. <br /> <br />Ms. Johnson reviewed the special revenue funds and enterprise funds. She stated that the <br />enterprise funds are self-supportive and not supported by tax dollars. However, liquor store <br />revenue transfers in to the general budget help offset the tax levy. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Mayor Klinzing explained that the purpose of the Truth in Taxation hearing is to discuss the <br />general city budget and general tax information and that it is not a time to discuss individual <br />