City Council - workshop

Can I just add? Sorry to grab your microphone, Councillor Horton. I apologize. I just want to let council know, as we've talked about this, the city has engaged a legal council to look into this. I had hoped that we would have some answers from them by tonight. I was back and forth with their council today, and he did not have them. I did say to him, you know, I would say within the next two weeks, we really need to have this answered. We've been waiting quite a while. So to Lauren's point, we are getting counsel to weigh in on this, and we will have some sort of legal statement for you on, be

Just to Councillor Brzezinski's point, yes, the way that she's describing it, But in the long run, if we were able to increase our EIT tax and we were able to cover our operating costs with that and not have to raise property taxes, now we are doing what you're asking. You see what I'm saying? So yes, in this swap that she's describing, no, it doesn't help our, let's say, our retired homeowners. But if we were able to get more funds to the general fund with the EIT, and then not have to raise property taxes, then certainly that benefits all of our property owners. Make sense?

Give us an example of rates and other. Do you have?

Yeah, the controller. I just have one question. Will you come to the mic, though? Thank you.

I just want everyone to know, I emailed the director of the parking authority today to let him know because PFM has put this in their report. It is now here and memorialized in public. So I let him know this was going to be in the report tonight. When we last met, we told them we wanted some sort of negotiation response by October 1st. He responded to me today that he felt that was reasonable. So we have given them the proposal for the $4 million plus, and we have asked for a response by October 1st. And I've told him we need to have this negotiation wrapped up by the end of the calendar year,

Yes, I appoint all of their members. And also, I let Director Friday know at our last meeting that while it's not something we want, if we can't reach an agreement with the current board, then I will be forced to replace the board. So we have action. We've let them know where we stand. I do believe, and as I said, I got a response back today. I do believe we will have some response from them by October 1st. And I know council is concerned about this, as I am. And as soon as I have something from them, I promise you that I will bring it to you.

We have not surveyed their properties, but I would argue that's what they exist to do. And I understand. And when you speak with Director Friday, he will tell you, and he is correct, they have pretty extreme deferred maintenance concerns. They have a lot of property that they need. No one is debating that. I don't feel it's our job to survey their properties. We understand it's their job to take care of them. And there needs to be compensation to the city. Both of those things have to be true at the same time.