09-04-2001 CC MIN - SPECIAL - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Minutes September 4, 2001 City. Forester Page 2 Councilmember Kuester updated the Council on the progress of the tree preservation task force. She indicated that the task force is focusing on an inventory of trees, programs, and a policy. She indicated that at this point most of the work can be done by e,,dsting staff. She suggested the possibility of hiring an intern to help with the tree inventory. The City Council encouraged the task force to continue with its work. Mosquito Control The City Administrator updated the Council on the issues of mosquito control. He stated that an informational meeting was held on July 23 regarding mosquito control at which time the Council decided to further discuss the issue at the budget worksession. Mayor I¥flinzing indicated that she thought the use of a private company would be the best option if the Council decides to budget for mosquito control. The Council discussed the advantages and disadvantages of mosquito control. Some of the disadvantages the Council discussed included the cost and the question of whether this summer was an unusual year for mosquitoes. Councilmember Dietz suggested that if there is a problem with mosquitoes next summer, the Council could use money from the Council Contingency Fund to hire a private firm to spray. The Council concurred with Councilmember Dietz's and decided that no money be budgeted for this program at this time. City. Recreation Budget The City Administrator explained that with the conversion of community recreation to city recreation, both revenues and expenditures would increase. He explained that the reason for the increase in expenditures is mainly due to the city publishing its own recreation brochure. The Council questioned the cost of nonresident fees and questioned how the city would advertise to nonresidents. The Council suggested that staff get an estimate of what it would cost to send brochures to nonresidents. There was a consensus of the Council to authorize the expenditures for the City recreation brochure. School Theater The City Administrator updated the Council on the issue of the school theater. He noted that the School District would be requesting the Council to contribute money to save the small school theater. The City Administrator talked about the time frame for the decision and the need for the City Council to prioritize the issues presently before them prior to making a decision on the school theater. Mayor Kflinzing stated that if this is a concern of the community, it should be a concern of the Council; however, she indicated that she has not heard from the community regarding this issue. Councilmember Motto indicated his concern of who would use the theater. He indicated that there is not currently an active community theater and chances of the city or chamber members using the theater are unlikely. He indicated that spending the money for this theater might not be a good use of City funds. Councilmember Dietz stated that there should be the possibility of other groups using the new theater that is being built. Councilmember Kuester noted that this new theater would be the only theater in the school district and eventually all three high schools would be using the facility. Councilmember Tveite stated that even paying a portion of the $560,000 is a substantial amount of money and stated that the question is whether this will benefit the citizens of Elk River.