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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980/09/08 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - RegularMINUTES SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA September 8, 1980 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call Mayor McQuaid called the meeting to order at 5:10 p.m, The following Councilmen were present at roll call: Ronald Backes Martha Elstrom Lyle Hanks Mayor Jerrold �4artin Keith Meland John Ralles McQuaid Also present were the City Manager, the Finance Director, the Assistant Finance Director, and the Planning Director. 3. 1981 Budget Review of the 1981 proposed budget began with the discussion of the budget message. The City Manager stated that in future budgets goals and objectives would be developed annually. He also directed Council's attention to the fact that while local government aid has increased 8.1% over the 1980 allotment, the State has reduced the City's original 1981 allocation by $156,220. Councilman Elstrom said that Goal UI entitled Conservation of Resources should be revised to include a-statement about solid waste management. In response to a question from Councilman Backes, the Finance Director explained the purpose of a$10,000 interfund transfer,from the CAN budget was for administrative costs incurred in past years. Councilman Martin observed that in 1981, a deficit of nearly $500,000 was being projected in the sewer enterprise fund. He asked if this could be averted by a rate change. The City Manager explained that the increase in this budget was due primarily to a 30 percent increase in costs to be charged by the Metropolitan Waste Control Commission in 1981. Councilman Elstrom observed that the Recreation Center also had deficit projected in 1981. The City Manager suggested that this budget should not necessarily be a self-supporting fund inasmuch as the general public should be expected to finance at least a portion of Recreation Center costs. Councilman Hanks questioned the increase in the Charter Commission budget. In response to his question, the City Manager said that State law provides for a maximum budget of $1,500 which is the amount proposed for 1981. He indicated that State law also specifies how this money can be spent. For example, State law prohibits expenditures from this budget for election materials. -315- Special City Council Minutes, September 8, 1980 Councilman Hanks questioned why the revenues for licenses and fees appeared to be decreasing. The Finance Director responded that this is in part the result of the disparity of when the fees and licenses are collected within the fiscal year. He also indicated that the 1981 estimate was conservative. The City Manager added that an updating of the amounts of licenses and fees is currently being conducted. During Council's review of the Legislative budget, it was moved by Councilman Hanks, seconded by Councilman Backes, to add $3,983 to this budget for the City's contribution to the League office building. The motion passed 6-1 (Councilman Martin opposedj. It was moved by Councilman Backes,seconded by Councilman Ralles, to add the membership fees for the U. S. Conference of Mayors to the Legislative budget. The motion passed 5-2 (Councilmen Hanks and Martin opposed). It was moved by Councilman Martin, seconded by Councilman Meland, that the salaries of Councilman and Mayor be increase to $450 a month and $600 a month respectively. Following discussion of this item, Councilman Martin withdrew his motion. Councilman Elstrom requested that Council consider this item again during review of the 1982 budget. During the review of the Clerk/Treasurey budget, the Finance Director discussed the need for data processing equipment needed for the City's licensing procedures. He said that current equipment is in disrepair and that he is obtaining quotes for its repair. But because of its age, the Finance Director indicated that serious consideration should be given to acquisition of this equipment. He requested that Council consider increasing this budget by $800 in 1980 to provide for this expenditure. It was moved by Councilman Meland, seconded by Councilman Hanks, to appropriate an additional $800 to the Clerk/Treasurey budget. The motion passed 7-0. It was moved by Councilman Hanks, seconded by Councilman Elstrom, that the part-time position of data processin� operator in the Assessing Department be deleted. The Finance Director explained that because the City had not yet had any experience with the LOGIS module for assessment data, that it had been determined that this position should be included in the 1981 budget. Following further discussion, Councilma,n Hanks withdrew his motion. It was moved by Councilman Hanks, seconded by Councilman Meland, to defer consideration of the Legal budget. The motion passed 7-0. -316- Special City Council Minutes, September 8, 198p The Council reviewed the Planning and Police budgets. During review of the Fire Protection budget, the City Manager explained that acquisition of a pumper was being planned. He indicated that funds for this piece of equipment would be coming from Revenue Sharing. He indicated that he felt Revenue Sharing was most appropriately used for capital expenditures as opposed to annual operating expenses. Councilman Hanks questioned why the position of Fire Prevention Officer had not been filled in 1980. The Finance Director explained that given the qualifications desired for that position, the �15,000 projected salary did not attract any applicants. Councilman Hanks requested to review job descriptions for the Fire Chief and the Assistant Fire Chief in order to ascertain if fire prevention acti- vities could appropriately be included in the responsibilities of these positions. The City Manager indicated that he would supply Council with additional information regarding the proposed Fire Marshall position. Council discussed the Inspectional Services budget. Councilman Backes requested that a schedule showing the total amount to be spent for conferences and schools in 1981 be made available at the next budget meeting. In reviewing the Engineering budget, Councilman Meland questioned why the budget did not indicate the amount of money which is collected as administrative overhead on specially assessed Engineering projects. The Finance Director explained that this money is not allocated between the various departments but that it is instead used to defer the City's payment on specially assessed projects where City property is benefited. He also indicated that there have been instances where a portion of general obligation exQenses have been defrayed by the collection of these overhead administrative costs. The Finance Director said that he could provide a summary of monies collected at Council's next budget meeting. Councilman Hanks requested a justification for continuation of the landscape architect position. During Council's review of the Municipal t•laintenance Services budget, the City Manager indicated that Council should be aware of a possible need for acquisition of an alley sweeper. He indicated that this piece of equipment could better accommodate the cleaning of alleys that the present equipment which the City uses. Councilman Martin questioned if the acquisition of a new piece of equipment would not increase personnel and fuel costs.. The City Manager responded that because we are now sweeping the alley, this piece of equipment will not result in an increase in personnel or fuel costs. It was moved by Councilman Hanks, seconded by Councilman Backes, that $15,000 be placed in the Municipal Maintenance Services budget in 1981 for acquisition of an alley sweeper. The motion passed 7-0. -317- ,�..---� Special City Council Minutes, September 8, 1980 The Assistant Finance Director informed Council that changes in the Snow and Ice budget were needed under the category of personal services. He said that as a result of intrafund transfers, the amount to be charged to the Municipal Maintenance Services budget should be $50,000 for 1980 and $75,000 for 1981. This changes the total for personal services in the Snow and Ice budget to $68,000 and $93,000 for the 1980 and�1981 budgets respectively. It was moved by Councilman Martin, seconded by Councilman Ralles, to approve these changes. The motion passed 7-0. The City Manager asked Council to what extent the City should participate in snow removal on sidewalks, particularly along Excelsior Boulevard. He questioned the need for using bombardiers. Councilman Meland comnented that the problems experienced on Excelsior Boulevard relate to the manner in which the State plows Excelsior Boulevard. The Finance Director said that at some point the City may assume responsibility for the plowing of this street. He also indicated that there are many requests from citizens to keep trails clean throughout the winter. Councilman Hanks suggested that snow removal on sidewalks and trails be performed on a double shift basis rather than through the acquisition of another piece of equipment. It was moved by Councilman Elstrom to approve the purchase of a bombardier. The motion died for lack of a second. Councilman Hanks requested that the City seriously consider funding for a tree nursery in the 1982 Tree Maintenance budget. He indicated that during the next year it would be helpful for staff to contact other corrununities to learn of their interest in jointly operating a tree nursery. Councilman Elstrom asked if the tree maintenance budget provided for an increase in cankerworm spraying. The Planning Director indicated that this budget provided for spraying in an increased area through rental of helicopters. Mayor McQuaid and Councilman Meland left the meeting. Council reviewed the Elections and Voter Registration, Charter Commission and Civil Service Comnission budgets. In discussing the City Hall operation and maintenance budget, questions were asked about the City's telephone service. Councilman Elstrom requested that more the Council Chambers. The City Manager looking into a modular furniture design The Animal Control budget was reviewed. -318- attention be given to modifying indicated that staff will be for the Council Chambers. Special City Council Minutes, Septerober 8, 1980 Ouring review of the Unallocated General Expenses budget, possibilities for reducing the City's insurance costs were dis- cussed. The City Manager suggested that it might be possible to develop information which would cause potential insurers to lower premiums for the City's policies. He indicated that he would further discuss this matter with representatives of the League of Minnesota Cities. With respect to the allotment for Community Education, Councilman Hanks proposed that this amount be cut back to $100,000 in 1981. He said that he would like to discuss this in depth at another time. Ne also indicated that he believed that from now on the City should set the amount of the budget and advise the Community Education program so it can plan its expenditures with a particular figure in mind. Councii then discussed the Civil Defense, CATV, Federal Revenue Sharing, and Comnunity Development Block Grant budgets. Council�also deferred consideration of the Recreation fund budget and the Park Improvement fund until the full Council was present. Debt service funds for special assessments, general obligation bonds, and general obligation redevelopment bonds were reviewed. In reviewing the Water and Sewer enterprise funds, Councilman Hanks asked if an increase in rates was needed. The City Manager responded that a rate increase was definitely needed to prevent further deficits in these funds. He also pointed out that in the Water enterprise fund, expenditures had exceeded revenues in past years and that the fund has remained balanced because of surplus built in past years. Following a brief discussion, Council advised the City Manager that it was receptive to receiving information on sewer and water rate increases. 4. Adjournment Attest: The meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m. �� //, �� �_ , _�� � � � � � / �-: J aron G. K ump , Recor Secretary -319- 1 r ...�---_