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- " . . - to participate, want to be listened to, and they need to understand more about the problems and possible solutions. He said it was necessary to have an experienced - person to begin with that big picture approach. City Manager Everett cautioned against beginning the dialogue, raising expectations, and then not having the desire or ability to commit resources to the solutions. He said the Council Utility Subcommittee is researching options, and "that will suggest whether there is both a financial and a political wherewithal to come up with a sum of money, not knowing exactly where it should go and what the priorities are." He said it was important to go to the table with committed resources. In response to Mayor Howard's time line questions, Director Ingram advised that the Subcommittee would meet tomorrow and he anticipated a report to Council would be ready in May. In response to Vice Mayor Ruskin's questions regarding a big picture approach when some of the tasks seem mammoth, Director Ingram said he would still recommend a big picture approach because a clear policy statement from Couricil, based on political and financial reality, was necessary. He said that the Council needed a program wide approach "so that you don't overlook things." He said, "Council needs to consider all... situations in relationship to each other and see where you can get efficiencies for your efforts and your dollars in solving problems." Director Ingram said repairing Cordilleras Creek and other projects could go on while the big picture process was - being developed. In answer to further questions, Director Ingram said professional resources would relieve the burden on the staff and provide the necessary experience. He said if the City moved quickly to repair storm damage and showed due diligence, there was the possibility of reimbursement through FEMA. City Manager Everett said that if the Council did not establish specific criteria and a philosophy, individuals would wonder why their projects weren't approved and others were. Council Member Hartnett said that, "We can't as a Council look at the overall policy fix for both 5th A venue and Bayfront Canal, until we hear back from the Council Utilities Subcommittee." He said that the City needed to go ahead with the storm damage repairs, because it makes sense so that even more money won't be needed later on, and there is a chance for reimbursement. Council Member Hartnett said that the money available in OlD 1-65 should be used to repair Cordilleras Creek. Council Member Leipzig said he agreed that the Utility Committee and the staff should take a fresh look at the 5th A venue and the Bayfront Canal areas. He said it had been quite some time since neighboring jurisdictions, the County and the Mobile Park owners had been approached about resolving this problem, and it appeared that the City - had just written them off. Council Member Leipzig said, "Let's start anew. Let's get our legal folks on board, and look at alternatives, working with them, and showing ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING STUDY SESSION MINUTE BOOK NO. 56 MARCH 23,1998 MINUTES Page No. 353 PAGE 8