Councilmembers present: Dwight Thompson, Mayor pro tempore; Alan Kiest (6:25 p.m.), Carolyn Armanini, Mary Jane Goss, Nate Herzog, Roger Olstad (6:25 p.m.), Ed Sterner (6:40 p.m.)

Staff present:  David R. Hutchinson, Mayor; Karen Haines, City Administrator; John Hawley, Finance Director; Frank Zenk, Public Services Director; Neil Jensen, City Engineer; Stephen Bennett, Planning and Building Director; Sarah Phillips, Community and Government Affairs Manager; Jane Poppe, Court Administrator; Susan Stine, City Clerk

Others present:  One visitor

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Hutchinson called the City Council study session special meeting to order at 6:18 p.m. 

ADOPTION OF AGENDA

There being no objection, the councilmembers present when the mayor called the meeting to order agreed to begin with the review of the transportation element of the comprehensive plan.

AGENDA ITEMS/DISCUSSION

Review of Comprehensive Plan Element--Transportation

Planning and Building Director Steve Bennett reviewed the summary of issues related to the transportation element of the comprehensive plan.  Goals and policies related to the transportation element were reviewed and discussed.

At 6:35 p.m., councilmembers agreed to postpone further discussion of the transportation element until the December 2 study session and to proceed with the review and discussion of the council budget committee report.

Council Budget Committee Report

Mayor pro tempore Thompson said that the council budget committee met on November 15 to discuss possible amendments to the proposed budget.  He and committee members Armanini and Kiest were joined at the meeting by Cmbrs. Olstad, Goss and Sterner, and he noted that Cmbr. Herzog had submitted his suggestions for amendments in writing.

In response to a request from Hutchinson, Finance Director John Hawley provided an overview of the city’s finances including the current reserves, the general fund and changes in staff positions.

City Engineer Neil Jensen provided additional information regarding the proposed engineering technician position and the additional work and projects that are anticipated to be handled with the aid of the new position.  Councilmembers discussed how this position would be paid for.

Director of Public Services Frank Zenk discussed the organizational structure for public works operations and noted that the request for two lead positions would add to the efficiency of the street and parks teams.  Zenk said this proposal was included in his budget request because he believes that the result would be a cost saving for the city. 

At 7:29 p.m., Hutchinson noted that the council special meeting is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.  Hutchinson said that the review of the proposed 2005 budget would continue following the opening of the special meeting if the council concurred.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no objection, the Council study session meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.

Susan Stine, City Clerk

David R. Hutchinson, Mayor

|Return to the City Council Minutes page |
|Home|  |City|  |Community|  |Kiosk|  |Search|  |News|  |About This Site|