1986-01-14 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I I I COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF NEW BRIGHTON Pursuant Tuesday, Present: Absent: Also Present: to notice thereof, a regular meeting of the New Brighton City Council was held January 14, 1986, at 7:30 p.m. in the municipal building, 803 Fifth Avenue N.W. Mayor Benke, Councilmembers Brandt, Gunderman, Schmidt and Williams None Henry Sinda, City Manager Les Proper, City Engineer Jim Winkels, Community Development Director Kevin Locke, Assistant Community Development Director Gary Berger, Administrative Assistant Charlie LeFevere, City Attorney Commission Minutes Commission ~1inutes The Mayor, with consent of council, accepted the Park Board minutes of December 4, 1986. Mayor's State of the City Statement Mayor Benke gave the following State of the City statement: "I am pleased to be able to report tonight on the occasion of my first 'State of the City Statement' that, from most perspectives, we are doing very well as a city. I take pride in this statement and I want to thank Jeanette Janecek and Roger Blomquist for thE'r eight years of hard work on the council that helped us get where we are tOCjj. I also want to thank Gregg Harcus for his efforts as Mayor and the many vJlunteers and staff members who contributed to our success as a City. "The City of New Brighten is in eXCt lent shape. We enjoy a strong sense of community spirit. We havean excell':lt staff providing efficient services. We enjoy a low tax rate and a strong ~conomic base. We are able to draw on numerous talented volunteers to help ,olve problems. We are in general agreement on where the City should be going during the next two years. In summary, hard work has paid off and we can take satisfaction from that. We also have much work to do but we have the time to review our opportunities and to adjust where we must to keep things in order. "Along with these indicators of good health, there are some storm warnings -suggesting that all is not well around us. We don't live in an isolated world. Threats of terrorism divert attention and resources from urgent problems of peace, world hunger, and health. National budget problems are over-whelming the decision-makers in Washington, leaving states and cities to shoulder more and more responsibilities. State budgets seem to grow more unpredictable with each passing session. "We also have some problems closer to home. Our corrmunity was recently shocked and saddened by the untimely death of a dearly loved teenager. Our School District continues to wrestle with enrollment and financial strains. Our older residents are seeking more suitable housing. Our businesses face uncertain economic pressures as a by-product of state and national problems. In short, while the City is healthy, our people and our society are under continuous and apparently increasing stress that requires our attention as citizens and as city officials.