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Home My WebLink About1978/09/27 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular (2)MINUTES SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING September 27, 1978 p Special meeting of City Council was called to order by Mayor Stern at 5:43 p.m. The following Council members were present at roll call: Ronald Backes Keith Meland Jerrold Martin Also present Director. • Martha Elstrom Lyie Hanks John Ralles Irving Stern were the City Manger, Finance Director and Assistant Finance 1979 PROPOSED BUAGET West Suburban Chamber of Commerce - There was general discussion regarding membership in the West 5uburban Chamger of Commerce. Concern was expressed whether membership in th is organization would be an eligible city expenditure. Following further discussion, it was moved by Councilman Martin, seconded by Councilman Backes, to increase the legislative budget by $110 in 1978 and $125 in 1979 and authorize membership in the West Suburban Chamber of Commerce; staff was d irected to prepare a resolution declaring ostensible public purpose in this membership for the Council's consideration. The motion passed 5-2 (Councilmen Meland and Hanks opposed). STEP - Jim Hyde, representing STEP, stated that the program is in need of an additional 5 000 for its operation in 1979. i�e explained �his exeected overall bud et$for STEP is $12,000 of which $5,OQ0 in donations P g from religious organizations; $2,000 from other pri.vate sector source . The remainin ortion of the operational costs would bCounciltindigatede CETA programg PHe further explained that although the rhe program that its 1978 contribution would Cerminate o� fundingmoney, remains too new to arrange tota11y for its It was moved no second to by the Councilman Martin to grant motion. $5,000 as requested. There was ram has received $8,804 through a depart- Sue Nelson explained that the prog eriod of one year. Zn ment of transportation ara-transit grant £or a P • rant lained that �his �on comp P she eXP le- res onse to a Y e and up P question from L le Han s, . would be utilized to reimburse STEP volunteersWOuldmbeesough�• tion of the grant contract additional funding 379 • Council Meeting minutes; September 27, 1978 Special City ara-transit grant, Councilman Hanks expressed concern that uedof 15G per mile and when the volunteers would be reimbursed at the rat g rant is terminated, the program will likely lose many of its volunteers. Jim Hyde stated a finance committee of the STEP B�onrdthatDtheCCommittee been formed to seek alternative funding sources, ad g is optimistic that funding will become available, however, some assistance from the City will be necessary to fund the program through the interim period. . Councilman Hanks suggested that the STEP program should perhaps exhaust all other funding source�s for the remainder of 1978 and if additional funding is needed, the City Council could reconsider the request in January. Following further discussion, it was moved by Councilman Hanks, seconded by Councilman Martin, to suggest that STEP exhaust all other potential funding sources and, in the event that additional revenues are needed, the City Council will consider the program's request for f unding with unallocated federal revenue sharing funds. �The motion passed 7-0. Recreation - Councilman Hanks and Mayor Stern expressed concern regarding the proliferation of many recreation programs and an apparent disregard of City Council direction regarding the scope of the summer playground program. Councilmen Hanks and Ralles expressed concern regarding the actual enrollment in the playground program and other recreation programs. They stre5sed that the City should not become involved in "family" fun�tions such as weekend outings and picnics, adding that the City Council should establish a firm policy regarding the City's role in providing for leisure-time activities. There was considerable discussion regarding revenue, and Councilman Hanks expressed concern regarding comparisons of revenve and expenditures without taking into consideration other costs such as field maintenance, lights, etc. Councilman Meland explained that if the City reduced taxes by eliminating recreational expenditures, the resulting reduction in the property tax would increase the residents'disposable income which would likely be spent for recreational and leisure activi�ies. He suggested that the question may ihe� arise as whether the City or private enterprise may best and most equitabl_y provide these services. Councilman Hanks presented several questions regarding the proposed weekend vroQram and revuested a report on this matteY prior to the adoption of the budget. -380- � r f t J Sp�cial City Council Meeting minutes; September 2�, 1978 �yor Stern sugg . � ested that the Council reduce the recreation bud et ercent and direct staff to prepare . g. by � 33 p g programs which could be operated within such bud et confines. Councilman Meland explained that he stron 1 . ' believes the City Council should dec�de what recreational programs willgbe provided or eliminated. . . • , Following considerable discussion, it was moved by Councilman Aanks, seconded by Councilman Martin, to modify the proposed budget by adjusti.ng personnel services for the stunmer playground to the level necessary to pro- vide four full-time (six hours• per day) playgrounds at Aquila, Birchwood, Jackley and Browndale Parks; 14 part-time (three hours per day) playgrounds at Ainsworth, Cedar Manor, Eliot/Jersey, Ethel Baston, Fern Hill Ford Road, Justad, Nelson, Oak Hill, Parkview, Pennsylvania, Vista, Woodd�le and Willow Parks; eliminate all temporary playground positions except one crafts specialist, one clerical aid e, two mobile playground leaders and 22 playground leaders; limit contractural sex�vices for the summer playground program to $600; reduce the recreation coordinator position to one-half time for nine months and full-time for the remaining three months of the year. In response to a question, it was explained position of playground coordinator which was in 1978, is not recommended for 1979. The motion passed 7-0. � by the City Manager that the tem�orary funded as a temporary position Mayor Stern explained that all non-expended funds appropriated for specific recreation programs may not be reallocated without prior Council approval During discussion of the winter recreation program, it was moved by Councilman Elstrom, seconded by Councilman Hanks, to eliminate the downhill skiing program, the snow sculpture activities and winter cook out. Followa,ng further discussion the motion was withdrawn and a report was requested for � submittal to City Council at the earliest possible date which would describe the proposed winter playground program with anticipated revenues and expenditures. It was moved by Councilman be directed to explorE the house at� noon rather than The motion passed 7-0. Hanks, seconded by Councilman possibilities of openin� the 10 a.m. -381- Meland, that staff skating rink warming �1 Special C'ity Council Meeting minutes; September 27, 1978 Park Improvement - riayor Stern expressed concern end fund balance as compared to previ_ous years. higher year-end balances had resulted from a park During discussion of the proposed Bass Lake reviewed past plans for development of this to the high level of neighborhood interest an infonnational meeting be held during the pertinent issues including the water level reg�rding the low year - It was explained that improvement bond sale. improvement, Councilman Hanks site and suggested that due in this park development, fall of 1978 to review all and 32nd Street extension. d ncern regarding the fund Recreation Center.- Mayor Stern expresse co deficit and suggested that the City Council strongly consider the possibility of a professional marketin� endeavor to promote greaCer use of the Recreation Center. Staff was directed to conduct a comprehensive f inancial analysis of the Recreation Center with recommendation of promotion and methods of increasing revenues to be submitted for Council consideration. A recess was called f rom the meeting. and upon reconvening, Councilman Ralles excused himsel£ Legislative - It was moved by Councilman Backes, seconded by Martin, to add $3,967 to this budget and reinstate the City's in the Association of Metropolitan Municipalities. Councilman membership At th� request of Councilman Hanks, the motion was amended to direct staff to transmit the City Council's concern regarding the rising costs of this membership and possible overlap of activities with the League of Minnesota Cities. The motion passed 6-0. Unallocated General Expense - Following brief discussion 1979 wage settlements, it was moved by Councilman Hanks, man Martin, to increase the emergency appropriations from The motion passed 6-0. regarding likely seconded by Council- $75,00 to $1�0,000. Engineerin.� - The City Manager explained that due to changing needs within the Engineering department, he has modif 3ed his recommendation for personnel and su�gested that a position of Engineering Technician be eliminated and a position of full-time Administrative Analyst be added. He added that this modif ication would result in a�5,000 reduction in costs. Followin� brief discussion, it was moved by Councilrnan Meland, seconded by Councilman Backes,to accept the City Manager's recommendation by eliminAting the position of Angineering Technician and addin� the position of Admit�istrative Analyst, and reducing the salary for regular employees by $5,004. The motion passed 6-0. -382- > �� ty Council Mee�ing minu�es; September 27, 1978 r�intenance Services - The City Manager presented and gutter, street and sidewalk replacement needs within pe�anent improvement pro j ects . Following discussion, it was moved by Councilman Backes, that staff prepare street and sidewalk repair needs which for consideration �►t the next Council in the Aquila Park/Virginia Avenue improvement program and that curb breaks be f inanced through the wat The motion passed 6-0. a list of resulting - -- ------_ __ � _` � random curb from damage Councilman Meland, seconded by an itemization of curb and gutter, could be completed during 1977 meeting, that curb and street area be considered with the 1979 re la repair capital p cement due to watermain repair er utility fund. , Legislative - It was moved by Councilman Hanks to retain the City Council's salaries at the 1978 level. There was no second �o this moti�n. Adjournment - There being no further discussion, it was moved by Councilman Hanks, seconded by Councilman Meland to adjourn the meeting at 10:05 p.m. The motion passed 6-0. AttQst • Mar� Sather ing Secretary • � . Irving M. Stern Mayor -383 �