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<br /> <br /> <br />Councilmember Allen asked how the City was budgeting for LGA. Foschi explained the City was not <br />budgeting or accounting for LGA. She estimated the City would receive $400,000 in LGA for 2023 and was <br />used to help provide future financing for street projects. <br /> <br />Massopust reviewed the administrative budget with the Council. <br /> <br />Foschi discussed the budget projections for the license bureau. Discussion ensued regarding the benefits and <br />positive feedback the City receives regarding the license bureau at City Hall, along with the issues from <br />MNLARS. <br /> <br />Schlichting commented on the proposed engineering budget. The projected revenues from the single family <br />rental program were discussed. <br /> <br />Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas asked if residents would be charged for organics recycling. Schlichting stated it <br />looks like the County will not be charging for this service. <br /> <br />Fink reviewed the forestry, golf and parks and recreation budget with the Council. The cost recovery efforts <br />for the parks and recreation programming was discussed. Staff explained the City’s cost recovery for its <br />programs was around 50%. <br /> <br />Councilmember Allen asked if the City was able to remain competitive with the part-time wages for parks <br />department employees. Fink reported Baker Tilly would be reviewing the part-time wages within the <br />compensation study. She believed that the City had a good healthy environment for its seasonal part time <br />workers. <br /> <br />Councilmember Allen inquired if programming was available to all members of the community, regardless of <br />their ability to pay. Fink discussed how donations had been on the rise since CivicRec was put in place, which <br />was assisting with scholarships for residents in need of assistance. She commented on how unique the <br />programming was in New Brighton, especially the City’s aquatics programs. <br /> <br />Staff commented on the proposed cleaning plans for the Community Center over the next year which would <br />assist with keeping the site open for visitors. It was noted the prices for the Eagles Nest would be increasing to <br />$8. <br /> <br />Paetznick reviewed the budget for the Public Safety Department, which included both police and fire services. <br />He commented on how staffing has been impacted over the past two years noting it was difficult to find and <br />retain officers at this time. <br /> <br />Councilmember Axberg asked how mental health was being incorporated into the public safety budget. <br />Paetznick reported for the past five years all police patrol officers have been trained in the 40 hour CIT <br />training. He explained more conversations were being held with the City’s partners such as NYFS and Allina <br />EMS. He indicated he has requested a social worker from Ramsey County and noted a mental health team was <br />being considered within the department. He commented further on how the appropriate response team was <br />impacting the police department. <br /> <br />Further discussion ensued regarding the staffing model that was in place between the City and the County for <br />Long Lake Regional Park. <br /> <br />Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas questioned how staff was preparing for another outbreak, such as monkey pox.