05/28/1985 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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L. Airport Subcommittee e Mr. Rutan said he and Mr. Hansen met with other members, gave the staff direction, and expect to receive a report soon. M. Concerns about Process e e Mr. Rutan expressed four concerns. 1. Parallel Recommendations Mr. Rutan expressed a concern about parallel recommendations to the council from the Downtown Commission and the Planning Commission. He said the council should receive only one recommendation after the Planning Commission and Downtown Commission have met together and come to a consensus. Ms. Ehrman did not want to force the Planning Commission and the Downtown Commission to agree. She said the council should make a decision. Mr. Holmer noted the two bodies are equal. He was comfortable with two rec- ommendations on the same issue. Ms. Wooten and Ms. Bascom suggested the Planning Commission and the Downtown Commission be required to meet and dis- cuss issues before sending their recommendations to the council. Mayor Obie said downtown planning is too detailed for the Planning Commission. Mr. Hansen said the Planning Commission is charged with planning the whole city. Ms. Schue pointed out that actions in the downtown affect the rest of the city. Ms. Wooten suggested Susan Brody and Gary Long be asked to report what issues should go to the Planning Commission and what issues should involve a joint meeting. Other councilors supported her suggestion. 2. Budget Process Mr. Rutan discussed the budget process and said the council could have spent half the time on it and accomplished just as much. He wondered if the process could be streamlined. Several councilors commented on the budget process. Ms. Ehrman thought the time spent was worthwhile. She suggested councilors be included in the preparation of departmental budgets. Mr. Holmer said councilors should influence the preparation of the budget in October and November before its presentation in April. Because the manager follows instructions given in October and November, the council does not need to do much later. Mr. Hansen said the Budget Committee is not as effective now because the City is making major service delivery changes. Ms. Wooten said it is dif- ficult to make changes in the budget after it is presented and it is difficult to direct the process earlier. Ms. Schue and Mr. Miller discussed the elimination of the crime prevention unit from the budget. Ms. Ehrman said the lay people on the Budget Committee want to be involved. Ms. Schue said the lay members should review the budget, but City policies should not be developed in the Budget Committee. May 28, 1985 Page 4