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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975/09/10 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regularhe meeting MINUTES SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL BUDGET MEETING ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA September 10, 1975 was called to order by Mayor Fleetham at 6:15 p.m. The following members were present. Rose -Mary Griak Lyle Hanks Keith Meland Leonard Thiel Frank Fleetham Richard Graves arrived at 6:25 p.m.; Seymour Druskin arrived at 6:33 p.m. Also present were the City Manager, Finance Director, Asst. Finance Director and Acting Secretary* Assessment Hearings - RESOLUTION N0. 5355 It was moved by Councilman Meland, seconded by Councilman larinThiel Costotowaive Assessed, itleand adopt Resolution No. 5355 edtAssessment"Re50and1Ca11on Ding Public Hearing on Ordering Preparation of Propose Proposed Assessment Improvement No. 75-15". The motion carried 4-0 (Councilman ropo Griak was not present for the vote). RESOLUTION N0. 5356 Meland, seconded by Councilman Thiel, to waive reading It was moved by Councilman 6 entitled, "Resolution Declaring Cost to be Assessed, and adopt Resol uti on No. 535 Public Hearing on OrderingPreparation of Proposed Assessment$os. and Ca 74-44 and 74-47". ProposeSpecial Assessment Improvement • Gilman Griak was not present for the vote). The motion carried -44 (Councilman h City has Truckload Sale; Shopper It - The Ci ty received a request from Shoppers City to area from October 2 to October 9 , 1975 . moved by Councilman Mel and, seconded by The motion passed 54. 1976 PROPOSED BUDGET Manager explained that t e hold a truckload sale uion,their itawasng Following a brief discss Councilman Hanks, to deny the request. seconded by Councilman It was moved by Councilman Griak, at 10:00 p.m. The motion passed 5-0. Councimon It was moved b Councilman Hanks, seconded by, 197 y d. Following a br1ef discussion, 6 budget as propose 257 Meland, to end discussion Meland, to approve the the motion was withdrawn. Ie. l ber 1041 1975 Special Council Minutes, Septem e highlights of the 1976 proposed budget, reviewed the year the total tax levy will decrease; The City Manager briefly • He explained that proposed He noted that for the m°��shbelowConsethe 1975 levy include over $500,000 in the 1976 levy is 127 12 million total expenditures of approximately $ Development Block Grant funds. The to P and $750,000 in Community 3.7% higher than the total revenue sharing roximately Development expenditures total proposed budget for esh ri g and Community first time that the general budget for 1975, if revenue sharing are excluded. He further noted that 1976 iixtyears* fund levy has been increased for the past s suggests the continuance Manager noted that the proposed 1976 .budget sugg services which The City gvices and does not propose to eliminate any Ovide the initiation of OT current ser are currently provided. It does not, however, Pr h City new programs by t e The Manager noted that personnel costs account for approximately 70% of the the operating portion of the budget* The assessed valuationeforesentCtime,sthe anticipated in 1976 at approximately 4% 1noteknown,AhoweveP, the City does impact of the Fiscal Disparities Bill is n In 1975, not anticipate any major loss in valuation/revenu esultrof the om s FiscalDisparities the City recei�red an additional $890,000 as a r Mana er noted that the re -estimated budget shows total reduced Law. The City 9 nt of the expenditures due primarily to Per vacancies, postpe�ethrough increased ase of some pieces of equipment ndfvariousecomsmles rea i efficiency and implementation new The Manager drew the City Council's attention to the fund summary on Paprovided of the General Fund. He noted that the balance other yeas andDecember that this may have for a rather small carry-over compared to 1974 some impact on the 1977 proposed budget. He furtneusedtto covered that 1personnel costs $220,000 was allocated for emergency appropriation The actual amount of money spent in 1974 was $231 000. A total increases, etc. '• of $2259000 has been appropriated for contingencies/emergency's during 1976. However, unknowns such as possible high arbitration awards, contract settlements, etc, may require additional expenditures. The City Manager noted that a bond sale is proposed for mid-October. A proposed sale of $1.5 million in Gesedal Obligation five nearand refuse collection contract will n in special assessment bonds are propo y be in effect until 1977. The Manager discussed some of the major utility improvements that were postponed to later years in order to accumulate a reserve in the City's utility fund, During 1975, ---several major unanticipated main breaks caused increased expenditures over those anticipated. In response to a question from Councilman City and School District will be looking maintenance; however, at the present time personnel to clear sidewalks on routes to Griak, the Manager noted that the into the possibility of joint sidewalk the City does not have sufficient City schools. In response to a question from Councilman Thiel, the Manager stated that a reasonable balance for personnel costs in a service agency and operating budget portion is approximately 65% to 80%;' the City cur currently uses apprdxi�ma�ely 70% for personnel costs. Mr. Thiel noted that the Ci should be able to maintain that ratio unless many new additional programs/services and Pers Onnel are added. S:ecial Council Minutes, September 10, 1975 Counc i l -- No changes City Manager's Office - No changes �1erk/Treasury we The City Manager explained that two units are needed for a tape recording system --one recorder and one transcriber --if meetings are to be recorded. It was moved by Councilman Thiel to remove the tape recorder under Capital Outlay portion of this budget at $1,400 and put it into the Revenue Sharing Budget. The motion died for a lack of a second. it was moved by Councilman Hanks, seconded by Councilman Meland, to delete $1,400 from the Capital Outlay budget for tape recording unit. Councilmen Graves and Druskin spoke in favor of purchasing the tape recording equipment. Councilman Druskin suggested that, over a period of time, whether or not this type of equipment is needed may become apparent. The motion passed 4-3 (Councilmen Graves, Druskin and Thiel opposed). Assessin - The City Manager noted that it is being proposed to use part-time and temporary employees for peak work periods. If the use of these personnel does not enable this department to carry out the various valuations mandated by law, additional personnel may be required. Accounting.- The City Manager noted that the City is beginning to notice reductions in various costs due to the implementation of the LOGIS system. Councilman Druskin stated that he hoped that the LOGIS system and the addiction of an additional clerk would decrease the amount of time presently required by certain personnel in the Finance Division. Legal - Councilman Thiel suggested that the Council may wish,to consider eliminating the hourly rate paid for prosecuting services as the costs for this program were increasing measurably. The City Council discussed the possibility of hiring a full-time attorney, plus specialists, when needed. It was moved b Councilman Thiel, seconded by Councilman eriak, o meet for with both attorneys and re-evaluate and/or renegotiate h legal services. The motion passed 740 to the Plannin -The City Manager noted that any costs rocriatedrred rfrom �aeseparate establishment of Development Districts uncilmannDruskpn commented on the workload fund set up for that purpose. Co that of the Planning Dep artment. Councilman Hanks reminded thCouncil workloadof should be cognizant that Council requests for studies affect t t nt he Planning Depar me . Manager made an oral presentation relative to the Police Protection The City g ice ` St. Louis Park and the activ1tthe andPole presented exIsting came s7tuation in structure of the department Department. He outlined the existing of the existing staff. He noted various various alternatives for restructuring Service Officers, civilian new programs in crime prevention, use mentedComm4nithe past year. He also noted dispatchers, etc. that have been imple a non -enforcement the various innovations � proposed in the 1976 budget to increase an Productivityof personnel and to free sworn officers from activities . 259 Special Council Minutes, September 10, 1975 ' m rehensive Councilman and stated . Manager for his co p Druskin complimented the City the types of recommendations he was seeking that these wereDepartment* e ort on the Police Dep report in requesting a r p that he and Chief Setter have bSeforivariousgthe types The City Manager noted wagons and sedan advantages and disadvantages of using shown under • The City Manager explained the -kit of proposed of police activities. of an idents dictation equipment and that the leasing tractual services, con •ion - The City Manager noted that the emphasic�vilianthis fb�deget is Fire Protect of a also on prevention and that the additionant has been This person prevention officer/administrative assist would meet with businesses to discuss improved fire preet�t10Hemnotedsthat nthere inspections, coordinate the voluemPlo mentmen of arogramperson in a non civil service may be some questions as to the p Y position. The City Council discussed the need to enlarge the volunteer force. CItywasmovrd by Councilman Thiel, seconded by Councilman Druskin,direct and Fire Chief to embark upon a vigorous recruitment program to increase the volunteer firefighter force. The motion passed 74. Councilman Druski n questioned ,pairrti ng several fire trucks yellow. He suggested that this may be done in conjunction with repairs as needed, rather than painting all of the remaining trucks at one time. Following a brief discussion as to whether it would be advisable to paint all of the trucks at once or do it over a period of time, it was moved by Councilman Griak, seconded by Councilman Hanks that as trucks are proposed for repairs that they be painted yellow. Councilman Druskin stated that he would first prefer to see information relative to the value of painting fire trucks yellow. - The motion passed 6-1 (Councilman Druskin opposed). Inspectional Services - In response to a question from Councilman Hanks, the City Manager stated that as a result of cross training and in-service training, the integration of the former Health and Building Departments into Inspectional Services has functioned very well. Engineering - No changes Maintenance Services - It was moved by Councilman Ranks, that 0, 0 proposed under Capital Outlay, shrubs, landscaping materials be considered under The motion passed 74. Snow and Ice - No changes Thiel, seconded by Councilman Other Improvements, for trees, the revenue sharing budget• Lighting and Traffic Control - The City Manager noted that the costs for the proposed signal installations represent only the City's share of these installations and not the total cost of the signals. Elections and Voter Registration - The City Manager noted that the increase the 1975 budget is due to the requirement that election judges be paid the minimum wage and that additional voting machines must be rented. Councilman Thiel requested staff to explore the Possibility of purchasingelectronic voting machines and to investigate how much the Citycan receive for selling its existing machines. 260 in ��eC i al council M i nutes , September 10, 1975 Lna�.ter Commission - No changes Civil Services Commission - No changes Hunan Rights Commission - No changes City Hal 1 Operation and Mai ntenance - No changes Animal Control - It was moved by Councilman Thiel, seconded by Councilman Griak, to direct the City Manager to explore with neighboring communities the possibility of entering into an agreement to pool resources to provide for animal control services. The motion passed 74. unallocated General Expense - Councilman Meland noted the various reductions in service which were proposed in the Suburban Nursing Program for 1976 and stated that at a future date some of these programs may be reinstated. The City Manager noted that the Environmental Improvement Commission has requested an appropriation of $1,000 for brochures and informational materials and $6,000 for chemical treatment of lakes. He further noted that some residents of the Twin Lakes area may be contemplating legal action against the City relative to the condition of Twin Lakes. The EIC feels that as a result of the experimental treatment program, the quality of Twin Lakes is improving. Civil Defense - No changes Recreation Fund - Councilman Druskin stated that he has noticed progress and improvement in various recreational programs over the past year. He stated that it is important that all recreation employees realize that they may be the only contact citizens have with their City government and that at all times they must be cognizant of the fact that' they are representatives of the City. He noted the importance of thorough orientation programs -and he suggested that staff examine various procedures including training and/or purchase of new equipment that' would increase the quality of recreation programs. Councilman Hanks noted the difficulties the City experiences in obtaining qualified recreation officials and the challenges involved with thei r duties* 'Councilman Thiel suggested that the Council consider reducing gtcosts for playgrounds andof and reorganization/review of the number of skating areas supervised playgrounds, Staff was requested to prepare information for the next budget meetingrelative to alternative programming possibilities for the playground activity, State Aid - Street Maintenance - No changes Rederal Revenue Sharing - Discussion Comm_nity Develo Munici al Buildings the third floor and Office space use by Director explained B1 k Grant P deferred pram - Discussion deferred until September 13, 1975* nt oc - Manager outlined the need tforemodelefficions - The City articular to provide first floor, in p roved security, The Finance the Police Department and imp Fund. PIR Permanent Improvement Revolving) the � 261 of P Utes , September 1 D , 1975 , that the 1976 proposed budget SpeCial Council Min Manager noted m leted. The Council The City almost co p Park im rovement FundThe parks which are of the parks and the various in some emphasizes ifacAl W es proposed ments discussed various ark improve sources, to fund p The meeting was adjourned until Attest: usan Workman, Actg. Secre ary Saturday$ S ra 262 tember 139 1975 at G. Fleetham, Jr., or ,m.