08-27-2007 CC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Minutes August 27, 2007 Page 3 • Counciknember Morin felt that the community should step in and also assist in funding this type of position. Ms. Johnson stated that Rebecca Haug would be present at the September 10 council work session and could provide more detail into what the position entails, as well as the costs and schedule of future expos. Mayor Klittzing, along with Councilmember Zexwas and Councilmembex Morin., requested that this position be removed from the budget at this time until more details can be provided. Ms. Johnson and Mr. Simon then discussed each department's expenditures, General Fund revenue projections, special revenue fund budgets, and capital outlay. Questions were asked by both Councilmembers Farber and Motion regarding the purpose and benefit of the Brick Block surveys. Ms. Johnson explained the survey, which would help determine the viability of preserving the Brick Block buildings in downtown Elk River by evaluating a building's structural integrity, building code requited improvements, and other structural aspects. It would not include a financial Feasibility study. The cost to conduct the survey would be $20,000. Ms. Johnson stated that if it was left in the budget, the council would need to approve it before the survey took place. Discussion also took place on the request to investigate local historic neighborhood districts, • which would help identify areas of the city that have local historic significance worth preserving at a cost of $5,000. The City would also apply fox grant funding from the state to help pay for the costs of the study. After discussion, the Council decided to remove the $20,000 survey of the Brick Block budget request, and to keep the $5,000 historic neighborhood districts survey. Counciknembex Gumphxey asked about the purpose of the electronic timecazd implementation, stating he felt it would send the wrong message to city stafF and said he believed it would cause more problems then its worth. Ms. Johnson explained how having an electronic timecazd system could increase efficiency, increase accuracy of reporting hours, and eliminate the need for double entry by staff. It was proposed to help increase the efficienry of the payroll function. Mayor Klinzing agreed with Councilmember Gumphxey and Councilxnember Fazber asked that it be removed from the budget. Mr. Simon explained the council contingenry budget, and Councilmember Morin asked why the amount in the fund was so high. Ms. Johnson stated in the past the contingency budget had been increased to a point that was azound 2'/z % of the budget. Last year it was decreased and could be again this year; she agreed that 2 '/a % seemed higher than it needed to be. Mayor Klinzing and the rest of the council agreed to set the contingency fund at'/a% of the • budget.