07-12-1993 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MEMORfVNDUM OF AGREEMENT FOR METROPOUT.VN COUNCIL TO PROVTOE TECHNIC.VL ASSISTANCE IN PROGR.VM REVIEWA\NALYSIS TO LAKE MINNETONKA .VREA CITIES THIS AGREEMENT is entered into the ______day of---------------------------------------1993. betueen the Metropolitan Council ("the Council") and the cities of Chanhassen; Deepha%en. Greenwood and Woodland: Excelsior; Minnetonka; Minnetonka Beach; Minnetrista; Mound; Orono; Shorewood; Spring Park; Tonka Bay; Victoria; and Wa>-zata (Cities) for the purpose of conducting a three-vear program review and anaU'sis of city services and alternative methods of delKery. I. NEEDS STATE.MENT Less state aids and flattened property tax revenues have resulted in revenue decreases to local governments. The economic conditions of recent years have required public agencies to focus on etflcicncv* and effectiveness. .Agencies are faced with choosing between needed services and desirable ser.ices or different wavs to deliver services. Many cities have trimmed staff and ceased expansion of services as revenues have flattened or decreased. With staff stretched thin and often performing more than one job, it is almost impossible to free up staff to do special projects such as looking at ways to create greater etflcrency in ser.ices or to provide them in a different way. Governor .Ame Carlson has placed a priority in asking local governments to find ways to deliver services more efficiently and effectively. He has asked the Metropolitan Council to assist local <Tovemments in this effort. As a result, the Metropolitan Council is offering to a select number ot community groups some technical assistance. The technical assistance will enable local^ units to e.xamine current practices and to evaluate a variety of options and efficiencies for a vatiety of services. .According to .Minnesota Statute -173.244 Subdivision 10 the Metropolitan Council is authorized to conduct special studies and prepare reports regarding the necessity for the consolidation ot common ser.ices of local governmental units and the kind of consolidation most suitable ;n the public interest. It is not the intent of this agreement to consolidate municipalities. This agreement is entered into recognizing that: • Competition between local governmental units can produce pressure for efficiency'; • Big is not always bette.'. Large cities are decentralizing decision making and providing se.'vice delivery at the neighborhood level; and • Maintaining community identity and local control are important elements in decisions on service delivery. The Lake Minnetonka area cities currently cooperate and contract for services in numerous ways such