ELY CITY COUNCIL

SPECIAL WORKSHOP MEETING

January 27, 2009

6:00 p.m.

 

Mayor Jim Doyle called a special workshop meeting of the Ely City Council to order at 6: 05 p.m. on Tuesday January 27, 2009 in the Council Chambers at Ely City Hall.  Council Members present:  Stephanie Mai, Bill Grove, Tom Winkowski, and Mark Banowetz; Bob Ballantyne participated via telephone. Also present: Judy Jansen, Jennifer Jordebrek, Anne Osborne and Aaron Anderson, City Administrator/Clerk.

 

The City Council met in special session, pursuant to notice as required by State Code, to consider action related to pending state legislation to authorize an expedited process for election and imposition of a local option sales tax, and to conduct a workshop for preparing the FY 09-10 budget.

 

Banowetz moved to approve the agenda as presented, second by Winkowski; motion carried – 5 to 0.

 

Local Option Sales Tax

Clerk-Administrator Anderson reported special legislation was introduced in the House and Senate that would allow a special election regarding imposing a 1% local option sales and use tax on March 3rd, and noted it was still pending and not passed through either chamber.   Mayor and City Council discussed this matter including effect on Ely residents if the local option sales tax is approved in Cedar Rapids; and possible uses for local option sales and use tax proceeds in Ely.

 

Ballantyne moved to schedule a special meeting for 5:30 p.m. Monday February 2nd in the Council Chambers at Ely City Hall to consider action to call for a special election regarding the imposition of a local option sales and services tax, second by Grove.  Motion carried – 5 to 0.

 

Budget Workshop

Judy Janssen, Chair of the Library Commission, discussed the Library Commission’s budget request for FY 09-10, noting among other items that the cost of maintaining the Library building has increased, and is expected to continue to cost more than in past years, and that the Friends of the Library will pay the cost to replace the air conditioning unit that failed in the fall.  Ms Janssen shared a report prepared by Librarian Jennifer Jordebrek, which notes increases in number of patron visits, circulation and use of inter-library loan, especially in the months following the June 2008 flooding in Cedar Rapids.

 

Clerk/Administrator Anderson reported estimated property tax levy rate and taxable value information.  The Mayor and City Council discussed this and other budget information with Mr. Anderson. 

 

Grove moved to adjourn, second by Banowetz; motion carried – 5 to 0.  The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                           

                                                                        James E. Doyle Jr., Mayor

Attest:

 

 

                                                           

Aaron Anderson, Clerk/Administrator