01/06/2009 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 1/6/2009 legislation. He asked the Law Director what action could be taken. Law Director Dubelko answered that City Council can always consider motions to any legislation on the floor. It's within the discretion of the members of Council. President Kennedy expressed the opinion that would not be an issue for such an important item that just fell into Council's laps this evening. Dennis Lambert, 25057 Carey Lane, said he had previously commented he was not endorsing or going against the tax increase. He asked that it be given due consideration and determined by the people as to what the end result would be and what choices they want to make for their community. He would hate to see something just thrown out without some alternate explored. Apparently, Mr. Gareau indicates that it's going to be explored further. That's the issue for him; it's not endorsing it or going against it. But it's determining where our priorities lie at this time, under this circumstance. Councilman Gareau said he agreed with Mr. Lambert. It will be given its due consideration. This is not something that Council turns a blind eye to and then walks away and throws it in somebody else's lap. They expect to work with the administration and go through and find alternative solutions. Mayor O'Grady said he welcomed the offer to work with the administration. If it is the preference of Council that this be introduced separately and place the amended version on first reading as a new piece, he is agreeable to that. It must be passed at the next meeting, so asked that the issue be taken into committee. I would ask further that Council speak with the Service Director, Safety Director, Police Chief and Fire Chief and understand the impact. Because after January we cannot go back and look for this revenue. It won't be there. With any bump along the road, we will be seeing further layoffs in Police and Fire and Service. This is the last thing we can afford at this point. Councilman Gareau moved for adoption, and the motion was seconded by Councilman Barker. Roll call: Gareau, no; Barker, no, with comment. "This Council has been waiting for a plan from the Mayor since mid-summer regarding the deficit that has been disclosed to us since the first of the year. Figures mentioned most of the year has been between 1.1 to 1.5 million dollars. The Mayor since mid-year has been telling us that the plan will be presented as well as the balanced budget, which by the way has to be balanced by law. Well about six weeks before the end of the year, we finally got the plan. Now the deficit is 2 million dollars, so layoffs and a tax increase 5 simple words that took six months to develop. I mentioned possible layoffs in my comments in October when we refused to give raises to secretaries per the Mayor's request; the Mayor disputed that saying $16,000.00 would not cause layoffs. Well, it looks as if more than a raise Council didn't give has caused layoffs and we are talking major layoffs. I think we showed leadership in that vote. I submitted legislation with four co-sponsors some weeks ago to reduce some elected officials pay in the next term by 10% and freeze others. Again, I was scolded for being out of line and it wouldn't save the City. In fact we were reminded on the day that layoff announcements were made that the Mayor is worth more not less. Well, now all elected officials who are up for election next year will receive 5% less pay and no raises for 4 years to try to help in these difficult times. I feel we showed leadership with this legislation also. It is always easy to raise taxes and lay off people when crunch time is here. Well, I don't agree I think everyone should stop playing games and get down to business. To the Mayor, you said that you take full responsibility for this. I am sure you do up until now. Because, however this vote goes you will point your finger at Council and say it is our fault because we voted for it or against it. Shame on you. To the bargaining units, you 23