City Council Minutes 2012 10 16 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Meeting Minutes October 16, 2012 Page 10 of 15 City Manager Fleming extended his thanks to Finance Director Kevin Watson, Deputy City Manager Heather Balser, Human Resources Manager Kathleen Hix and all the Department Directors for their work on the budget. The budget process begins in April with the Capital Projects, followed by the department operating budgets in July. COUNCIL COMMENT Council member Sackett stated when he came on Council the theme was for Louisville to remain a special small town. He expressed his appreciation to the staff for a budget which represents the goals of the City. PUBLIC COMMENT Mr. Joel Hayes, 187 Harper Street, Louisville, CO stated his neighborhood group "Save Cottonwood Corridor" is advocating the City purchase the property east of Cottonwood Park. He addressed the Conservation Trust— Open Space and Park Funds and noted they are vital to Louisville. He stated the current and long range plans for the funds are • allocated for capital projects. His group requested the Council reconsider the use of the funds and not draw them away from open space acquisition. If the open space tax is continued, he requested those funds be allocated for the purchase of open space rather than construction and maintenance equipment. Janet Summerville, 490 Lincoln Court, Louisville, CO explained she represents the neighbors living on Lincoln and Hutchinson Streets concerning the Hutchison Parking Lot landscaping. The neighbors are concerned about the dilapidated conditions of the parking lot. She noted it appears to be the most widely used parking lot in the City, with the school, park and City events. She requested this project be moved up in the priority list. She commended the City's Park and Public Works staff for keeping them informed. COUNCIL COMMENTS Council member Loo asked Council to consider taking out of the budget the energy assessment as it is not listed on Council goals, it was not cited in the citizen survey and there are opportunity costs involved. She felt Louisville has already done a lot in terms of energy efficiency. She felt this study will lead to mandatory direction and have policy implications. Mayor Pro Tem Dalton stated he fully supported the budget and commended the staff for their work and the presentation. He stated the efforts of the Sustainability Advisory Board to bring this matter to the Council's attention are righteous however the budget is the City Council's major policy statement and sets forth the priorities for the year. He agreed the energy assessment should be taken out of the budget and discussed at a study session.