February 3rd Council Meeting Update

The Council approved the LGA Flip this evening. This will allow the City to take back a bit more control in our budgeting process. It does not in any way insulate us from the cutting of funds to our City and the pain it causes. The Flip does provide us with more time in which to respond to the ever changing financial situation and to plan appropriately. Isanti will not ever again have to deal with turmoil of unallotment.

We filled 1 open EDA and 2 Planning Commission seats this evening. This gets up to full strength on each advisory body.

The Council was updated on the refinancing of some of our old bond issues. We took advantage of some lower rates and our A+ bond rating to save $71,679.07. Again this is a testament to our strong fiscal discipline and proper planning.

The last item I want to touch upon is the results of our Goal Setting Session. The Council ratified the Goals for 2009. The Council Goals act as our road map for the next two years and highlight important projects and policies we will dedicate City resources to. The top five goals are as follows:

• Complete the Long Term Financial Plan
• Increase Commercial Tax Base
• Disaster Plan
• New Personnel Policy
• City Multi Modal Transportation Plan

Along with these top five goals we have other items that need to be addressed and we also assigned Committees to accomplish these task:
Personnel Committee Assignments

• Development of a Disaster Plan
• New Personnel Policy
• Terms of Office for Park and Recreation and Planning Commission
• 3 missed meetings to appointed bodies and your out policy

Building & Grounds Committee

• Municipal Buildings Operation & Maintenance Cost Review

Public Works Committee

• Review Nuisance and Lawn service provisions

Finance Committee

• Update work to date and Complete Long Term Financial Plan
• Review costs for Fire/Emergency Services
• Review Utility Billing - in house versus contracted and the paying of City fees with credit cards with online options

EDA

• Increasing Commercial Tax Base -Marketing Plan
• Rail Served Industrial Park

Planning Commission / DAC

• City Multi Modal Transportation Plan
• Frontage Road System for Commercial Corridors

Mayor to establish intra-governmental committee to look at shared purchasing and service provision