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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1971/09/18 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular ruNUTES SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING ST . LOUIS PARK , MINNESOTA September lu" , 1971 A special meeting of the City Council was called to order by Mayor Howard at 9 . 30 a . m . to review the Proposed City Budget for 1972 , The following Councilmen were present * Fran ',: Fleetham Richard Graves James Heltzer Theodore Rudy Leonard Thiel • Frank Howard Councilman Galinson arrived at 10 : 15 a . m . Also present were the City Manager , Assistant City Manager , Director of Finance , Asst . Finance Director , and Acting Secretary . City Manager ' s Budget Message - The City Manager gave a brief summation of the proposed budget for 1972 . He reviewed the method of preparing the budget and the projection of revenues anticipated . The Council was also alerted to various state legislative measures which would have an impact upon the City ' s budget . The City Manager also . discussed the growing need for additional revenue sources on the basis of the "user - pay principle " and suggested among other changes that inspection fees , rental costs for the Hennepin County Municipal Court , licensing and other such fees / charges be examined by the City Council . BUDGET REVIEW Ma or and Council - Councilman Heltzer moved to decrease subscriptions and memberships ( 101 - 4010 - 1343 ) by $ 5 ; 598 . The motion was seconded by Councilman Graves . The City Manager explained the technical and professional services supplied to the City through its memberships in these professional organizations . After lengthy discussion of needs the motion failed by a 2 to 4 vote with Councilmen Heltzer and Graves voting yea (Councilman Galinson absent ) . Councilman Heltzer then moved to delete from subscriptions and memberships , Seepn�tY ' s membership in the Hennepin County League at $ 445 . The motion was disa red by Councilman Graves . Mayor Howard and Councilman Thiel indicated S ement with this action and stated that the City must maintain its professional relationships in these organizations because of its constant 4se of the many servicesprovided thro Yea , ugh such state and county memberships . motion failed by a 2 to 5 vote with. Councilmen Graves and Heltzer voting 1 277 ...F Council Minutes , September 18 , 1971 tions and memberships , the Cit ' ys ouncilman Thiel moved to delete from Cltbesrat $ 250 • The motion was seconded C ue of membership in the National Le a unanimous vote . by Councilman Heltzer and carried by d to delete from travel - conferences - schools ( 1322 ) $42400 . Councilman Thiel move ' • seconded by Councilman Graves and carried by a unanimous vote . The motion was suggested that salaries of regular employees ( City Councilmen) Mayor Howard suggestions ( 1100 ) be eliminated . No motion was made on this sug;, a Heltzer moved to eliminate from subscriptions al d memberships ( 1343 ) Councilman the City ' s membership in the League of Minnesoton andufailed by a 1 to 6 vote The motion was seconded by Councemanl�aWas pointed out that the City receives with Councilman Heltzer voting y model ordinances , etc . its research assistance , labor consultation 1neededby services , ethe City * from this organization which are v1* tally Councilman Rudy moved to decrease miscellaneous ( 1349 ) expenditures to $ 12 , 633 . The motion was seconded by Councilman Galinson . The City Man� eds posed quarterly neletterer ltonbe that the increase for 1972 was due to a pro cal distributed in the community to ensure better communications betweesuloested government and the citizenry . Councilman contmunicaand tions1awithHthe citizens of that the Council attempt to increase its the community . The motion was subsequently withdrawn . Councilman Rudy then moved to delete from miscellaneous expenditures ( 1349 ) the cost of the annual Civic Calendar and Report at $ 5 , 500 . Councilmen Thiel and Fleetham indicated that this has been a good public relations vehicle and especially helpful to new residents . The motion was seconded by Councilman Galinson and carried by a 4 to 3 vote with Councilmen Graves , Heltzer' and Fleetham voting nay . Councilman Graves moved deletion from subscriptions and memberships ( 1343 ) the City ' s membership in the Bassetts Creek Flood Control Commission of $ 3 , 430 . Motion was seconded by Councilman Heltzer . It was explained that there may be certain legal problems resulting from such withdrawal from this Commission and suggested that further consideration be given before this action is taken . The motion was subsequently withdrawn by Councilman Graves . Councilman Heltzer asked that the City Council consider holding a special meeting for discussion with interested parties the advantages of a watershed taxing district versus a joint powers arrangement formed for regulation of Bassetts Creel: , Councilman Thiel moved that one of the proposed newsletter mailings in miscellaneous expenses ( 1349 ) be deleted . The motion failed for a lack .of a second . Couu�.ilman -Thiel moved the elimination of salaries - regular employees �<Councilmen ) ( 1100 ) at $ 18 , 000 . The motion failed for a lack of second . City Manager ' s Office - Councilman Heltzer moved approval of the addition of an intern in salaries - regular employees ( 101 - 4020 - 1100 ) but a reduction 278 Council Minutes , September 18 , 1971 � in the amount of salary to $ 3 , 351 , The City Manager was directed to I contact the school . system relative to particlpating in the inter responsible primarily for grant - .. resp In aid coordination and share n Program balance of the cost . The motion was seconded b 50 � or Manager explained that sharing an intern withothe1Scho Graves . The City of District might create a need for a more qualified individual at a muchreater g cost , � Councilmen Thiel suggested that such �.-� n intern , as proposed , could be used for various purposes and not solely for preparation of grant applications . Mayor Howard suggested that this was not a proper year to add personnel even though it was a justifiable request indicated belief that staff could use additional ihelp lmen too meets and ncrFleetham demands of the Council and citizens services , p meet the increasing that if the intern position were eliminated that oCouncilnshould Thiel suggested consider limiting its requests of staff . Mayor Howard suggested that the p could always be added later if felt needed to carry out necessaryprograms , The motion carried by a 5 to 2 vote with Councilman Thiel and Mayor Howard voting nay . Councilman Heltzer- moved that salaries of the Assistant City Manager and Assistant to the Manager ( 1100 ) be frozen at the 1971 level . Motion was seconded by Councilman Graves . Councilman Heltzer then moved to amend to freeze the salaries of all department head level personnel at last year ' s salary level . The City Manager explained that such Council action of freezing wage levels for all employees would cause numerous problems in legality in collective bargaining and make it impracticable to even meet and negotiate with public employee unions . Councilman Galinson suggested that all department head level salaries be set prior to adoption of the budget . The City Manager explained that salaries have always been set at the beginning Of the year by budget adjustment after negotiations and other trends are known ��`= in the wage / salary area . Councilman Heltzer stated he felt the Council needed• " " ' _ to come to "grips " with decisions on personnel pay and felt that public employee > � salariesshould not be increased . Councilman Thiel stated that the City would not be hurt by paying good people top salaries and that the Council needed to economize on its requests of staff . Mayor Howard indicated that the City has a good staff and if such salary freeze actions were taken , the City would lose not only y good personnel , but be hurt in recruiting professional talent . Graves subsequently withdrew his second . Finance Assessin _ I from Councilman Heltzer moved to eliminate one Property Appraiser Personal Services ( 101 - 4053 - 1100 ) at $8 , 058 . The motion was seconded by Councilman Gra Graves but failed by a 3 to 4 vote with Councilmen Heltzer , no Ves and Galinson votingea It was explained that this position was tan additional employee yea , a re - classification of a position previously proablished which was needed to meet legislative and Council demands to ensure Per valuation of properties in St . Louis Park . forncllman Graves moved to delete from travel - conferences - school ( 1322 ) $ 350 BecothedInternational Association of Assessing Officers . The motion was ThcOn andby Councilman Heltzer and carried by a 5 to 2 vote with Councilmen �eetham voting nay . 279 -� Council Minutes , September 18 , 1971 Detail of Estimated Ex enditures b Minor Object - Councilman Heltzer then P y moved to 23 , 103 , the amount expended to reduce overtime of regular employees ( 1120an Graves . The City Manager in 1970 . The motion was seconded by Councilor g indicated that Council action to reduce overtime of expenditures in this manner would not provide any indication of Council desire for priorities e of in specific departments for overtime �zeeds and felt tYP was contrary to sound budgeting techniques . Mayor Howard indicated that he felt oTiertime should be reduced in some manner , even though the results will place more responsibilities upon the Manager ' s Office to control and curtail some work programs . He also stressed that should the City Manager feel that overtime costs were not sufficient at a later date for various activities that the Council would then consider and most likely increase such amounts as deeined necessary to accomplish the City ' s work programs and emergency needs . The original motion then passed by a 5 to 2 vote with Councilman Thiel and Fleetham voting nay . The Council recessed for lunch from 12 : 15 p . m . to 1 : 30 p . m . Finance -Accounting - Councilman Heltzer moved that office supplies ( 101 -4054 - 1200 ) be reduced to the 1971 level at $ 3 , 155 , The motion was seconded by Councilman Graves but failed by a 3 to 4 vote ( Councilman Heltzer , Graves and Rudy voting yea ) after it was explained that the major portion of this increase was necessary in order to purchase supplies to operate the City ' s IBM system . Legal - Councilman Galinson indicated his support to recodify City ordinances and felt that the Manager ' s idea of attempting to obtain federal L . E . A . A , funds might be one answer . He also expressed concern with the other City codes that must be updated in light of court decisions and other factors . Mayor Howard indicated that City codes should be recodified and then kept up - to - date on a regular year - to - year basis . Councilmen discussed at lencyth the costs of legal service , but acknowledged the fact that law suits and claims against the City , together with pending court case loads , make it difficult to plan furls for this budget activity . The Manager advised the Council that it should review the retainer costs of the City Counselor due to the commitments made in 1970 and the number of hours being spent performing City legal matters . The Council suggested that the attorney provide a report as to what he feels a fair retainer fee should be for his firm ' s services , Planning - Councilman Heltzer moved to decrease professional and consulting services ( 101 - 4080 - 1130 ) to $ 37580 . The motion was seconded by Councilman Graves and carried by a unanimous vote , Councilman Heltzer moved to abolish the position of Assistant Planner from salaries - regular employees ( 1100 ) at $ 13 , 052 . The motion was seconded by Councilman Galinson , Councilman Heltzer explained that he felt the Council should hold a meeting to determine Planning Departmentriorities and activities . After a lengthy discussion on the activities assigned to this department , the motion failed by a 1 - 5 - 1 vote with Councilman Heltzer voting yea and Councilman Graves abstaining , 280 —�—�1�:33iS!4!++a..a :e�s csn.rl�asi�rx .,/�• ...�._ - •-- Council Minutes , September 113 1971 i Counc i lman Rudy moved to reduce The Motion was subsequently withdrawn ,ing and publishing ( 1310 ) to 10 Counciand carried by lman Heltzer moved to reduce salaries " temporary $ 2 , 263 . The motion was seconded by Councilman Graves employees ( 1y a 1 1 to 6 vote with Councilman Fleetham Graves voting nay . ` Councilman Galinson moved to reduce t :. avel - I $500 , notion was seconded b � conferences - schools y Councilman Rud and carried b a ( 1to o with Councilmen Heltzer Y Thiel and Fleetham voting nay , Y 4 to 3 vote Public Safety - Police - Councilman Galinson requested t report of the police - fire orQa that a preliminary J available as soon as possible and ahopefullIon dysbY Ernst and Ernst be made final adoption of the budget • Y some report be given prior to Councilman Heltzer indicated that he felt the Council should stud feasibility of a public safety department organization and the time now seem appropriate . Councilman Thiel indicated that any major re - organization ld takes time and that proper planning should be given , g Public Safet - Fire - Councilman Fleetham moved to add to capital outlay ( 101 - 4120 - 1530 ) $ 15 , 000 for application toward the purchase of afire pumper in 1973 . The motion was seconded by Councilman Thiel , but failed b ap2 to 5 vote with Councilmen Thiel and Fleetham voting Y Galinson indicated that such a piece of equipmentashouldnc Councilmen Rudy and the Council should plan on budgeting for this item in next year ' s ear ' sgbud eled nd because of the age and need for this equipment , y budget Councilman Heltzer moved to eliminate those firemen positions which have ✓I`k not yet been filled . The City Manager indicated that testing is in process o_ 'k and that these men are needed to fulfill the fire compliment and man the 1 equipment . Discussion was given to more volunteers and fewer paid personnel . Public $ lzety - Protective Inspection - Councilman Heltzer moved to eliminate the position of Chief Building Inspector ( 101 - 4130 - 1100 ) at $ 11 , 693 . The notion was seconded by Councilman Graves . The City Manager exp lained ' that elimination of this position would virtually disqualify the City from meeting the requirements of the housing inspection program as required by the Department of Housing and Urban Development for qualification in the Workable Program • He then called to the Council ' s attention the resolution and adoptioyn of the City ' s as re Io s revised Workable Program dated August 30 , 1971 , thecommended by the Planning Commission , Citizens Advisory Committee and thHousing and Redevelopment Authority which committed the City to hiring Hhis Person and an increase in the housing inspection program . Councilman to and Mayor Howard stated that firemen should be trained in this task then this activity . Councilman Rudy stated he felt more money should en be added for such additional training . Mayor Howard then stated that he V0uld like the lianager ' s Office to try this approach and that if this isn ' t acceptable accepab report back to the Council and it would probably restore this voti The motion was carried by a 6 to 1 vote with Councilman Fleetham nay . 281 Council 111nutes , September 18 , 1971 � - En ineering - Councilman Heltzer requested area paving , of Public , forks g rovements program particularly g , an up - dated capital imp ' Heltzer indicate that a would be made available as soon as posspaved and • improved . like to see portions of his ward p Councilman Galinson , seconded by Councilman Adjournment - it was moved by Tuesday September 21 j Thiel that the meeting be adjourned 3 `` vote0with • Councilmen Heltzer , Graves 1971 . The motion carried by a 4 to and Rudy voting nay . rank J . Ho d , Mayor At to1 ,ichard Schrad , Actg . Secretary 282