Laserfiche WebLink
I <br /> missed. Ms. Easterbrook said she has learned a lot in the last few months and that the <br /> phrase structural deficit has a companion phrase - structural unemployment. <br /> One Council Member noted that Council had spent 13 hours in discussions, explaining <br /> and questioning the budget. This Council Member believes the community will need to <br /> step up and adjust and do things differently. Council acknowledged the various emails <br /> received on the issue o the Fire Department cuts. One Council Member would like a <br /> check-in in six months. Another Council Member spoke about the UUT funds being used <br /> for anything else besides capital improvements. He explained these are very tough times. <br /> Council expressed thanks for the process and the community involvement. He believes <br /> there is a "disconnect" between the services we want and what we are willing to pay for. <br /> In his view this is the new normal and the Council has a responsibility to address these <br /> issues. He noted that there wasn't one decision that was easy through this process. In <br /> this current scenario it looks like we have upcoming multiple years with multi-million dollar <br /> deficits. The other item that is still an unknown is what the State will do with the <br /> Redevelopment. One Council Member suggested timely updates to continue developing a <br /> new vision for city services, defining them, explaining them and costing them out. It was <br /> mentioned that a study session might be helpful. It was mentioned that the issue of lower <br /> salaries, closing facilities and looking at benefits might need to be looked at. <br /> Council alluded to the issue of a structural imbalance that is beginning to be touch and <br /> possibly address. Council thanked all those who sent the emails even though some were <br /> unpleasant. There was agreement that a Study Session is needed. Vice Mayor Aguirre <br /> noted that some of the community members were appreciative of the deliberations and <br /> how Council was thoughtful in having three study sessions. She added that the decisions <br /> made in relation to the Fire are hard but will not endanger people's lives. <br /> Mayor Ira said he had nothing to add except that he wanted to thank City Manager Peter <br /> Ingram and all the Department Heads for all the hard work to come up with these <br /> recommendations. He explained that it will be important for every employee to support <br /> these decisions and for staff to support the Department Heads in making these cuts work. <br /> His message was that employees be adaptive and supportive so that the organization can <br /> function. A report will be due in six months with an update on how the cuts are working. <br /> Mayor Ira added that it is not his intention to rely on staffing cuts for future balancing. <br /> M/S Aguirre/Seybert to approve the Redevelopment agency budget (item 6.3 B). Motion <br /> carries unanimously by electronic vote with Council Member Foust absent. <br /> M/S Aguirre/Gee to adopt agenda item 6.3 A. Motion carries unanimously by electronic <br /> vote with Council Member Foust absent. <br /> 6.1 Section — Motions <br /> JOINT CITY COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY BOARD July 12, 2010 <br /> MEETING MINUTES PAGE 3 <br /> MINUTE BOOK NO. 63 <br /> Page No. 140 <br />