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of the City's employee recruitment and retention program. Hamdorf discussed how the City determined its <br /> comparable cities. <br /> Further discussion ensued regarding COLA and the City's pay grade system. <br /> Councilmember Allen stated it would be important for the City to offer fair wages to seasonal workers in order <br /> to keep them interested in working for the City of New Brighton. <br /> Councilmember Abdulle requested further information regarding the City's crime free multi-housing program. <br /> Paetznick discussed the City's crime free multi-housing program in further detail with the Council. <br /> Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas questioned how the 2021 budget was coming in. Davitt anticipated the budget would <br /> be over. <br /> Councilmember Allen inquired how the ARP funds would impact the 2022 budget. Massopust reported these <br /> funds could impact pavement management slightly but would not impact the property tax levy as this was not <br /> allowed. <br /> Councilmember Allen asked when staff would have a better understanding what the criteria were for the ARP <br /> funds. Massopust explained the criteria for the ARP funds was a great deal more broad than the CARES <br /> funding. He indicated there was not a sense of urgency to use the funds either, because the City had two years <br /> to spend the funds. He reported Interim Finance Director Foschi was creating a plan for the use of these funds <br /> and would be bringing this to the Council. <br /> Massopust commented further on the administration budget. He noted the second half of the DEI position <br /> would be coming on board in 2022. The contracts the City has with CPY and NYFS were discussed. He stated <br /> 2022 would be an election year, which increased expenses. He indicated the City has received quotes from <br /> Ramsey County to run elections for the Council to consider. The legal budget was discussed, along with the <br /> fees for consulting services. <br /> Foschi discussed the finance department and license bureau budget with the Council. She noted the most <br /> significant change to the finance department and license bureau budgets was an increase for personnel to cover <br /> COLA and health insurance increases. She stated the license bureau had an open part-time position at this time. <br /> She reported the City continues to work to bring in more dealers in the area to increase revenues for the license <br /> bureau. It was her hope the State would provide the license bureau with a rate increase, but was uncertain if <br /> this would be approved. <br /> Councilmember Axberg asked if people were trying to get passports again. Foschi noted it was taking the State <br /> more time to process the applications and explained people were still coming in. <br /> Schlichting stated his department consists of engineering, public works and community development, as well <br /> as recycling. He commented on the revenues and expenditures that would be generated by his departments in <br /> 2022. He described the redundancy that was being conducted within the public works department. He <br /> indicated the public works facility now had gasoline and diesel fuel available for city vehicles. He anticipated <br /> this would lead to savings for the City over time. He discussed the anticipated revenues for the community <br /> development department from building permits. He noted the New Brighton serves as the Building Official for <br /> St. Anthony. <br /> Councilmember Allen questioned how many inspectors the City had at this time. Schlichting reported the City <br /> had two outside building officials. <br />