HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984/09/10 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study SessionMINUTES
BUDGET STUDY SESSION
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
September 10, 1984
1. Call to Order
Mayor Lyle Hanks called the budget study session to order at 5:00 p.m. The
following Council members were present: Ronald Backes, Thomas Duffy, Jerrold
Martin, Larry Mitchell, Richard Strohl, Lyle Hanks.
Also present were the City Manager, Director of Finance and Assistant Director
of Finance.
2. Budget Review
City revenues projected for 1985 were reviewed. Councilman Mitchell questioned
the reduction in sign and billboard license fees estimated for 1985. He also
questioned the relationship of this fee to the permit fee for sign and sign
erection. Staff was requested to supply additional information.
While discussing the Legislative budget, Mayor Hanks said that the City should
consider the purchase of St. Louis Park memorabilia which could be presented
to special visitors. He cited examples of what other area cities are doing.
He estimated that the cost of this item could range from $500 to $1000 and
asked staff to provide more information on this matter. The Administration,
Personnel, City Clerk/Treasury, Assessing and Accounting and Internal Auditing
budgets were reviewed.
Council requested that the following information be provided on the City's
legal expenses:
1. What is the average hourly rate represented by the City Counselor's retainer?
2. What is the total cost of legal services for all City funds?
The City Council also requested information on the status of the HRA retainer.
It was also requested that copies of an analysis of legal services completed
in 1980 be distributed to all Council members.
The City Development, Police and Fire budgets were reviewed. Review of the
Inspectional Services budget was delayed until Council receives the consultant's
organizational study on September 24.
In reviewing the Lighting and Traffic Control budget, Council requested informa-
tion on plans to create a left -turn signal at the Cedar Lake Rd./Louisiana
Ave. intersection.
The Engineering, Lighting and Traffic Control, Street Maintenance, Snow and
ICe, Elections/Voter Registration, Charter Commission, Civil Service Commission,
Central Building Maintenance and Animal Control budgets were reviewed.
Ouring review of the Unallocated General Expense account, it was moved by
Ron Backes, seconded by Larry Mitchell to add $2,000 in 1985 for light rail
transit. The motion passed 6-0.
Council members also discussed the effect of a .5 or 1.0 mill increase. Staff
was asked to prepare estimates on the effect of a .5 and a 1.0 mill increase
Budget study session minutes
September 10, 1984 2.
on houses having a value of $60,000 to $70,000.
Council also reviewed the General Fund transfers, the Civil Defense budget,
and the Parks and Recreation Fund. During discussion of the Forestry budget,
there was discussion of the need to create an accelerated reforestation program
that would recreate the canopy effect which City streets had before Dutch
elm disease destroyed a large number of boulevard trees. The Council asked
that the Community Relations Commission be consulted as to whether citizens
would be willing to pay for this kind of reforestation program.
Council also completed review of the CATV, General Revenue Sharing, Community
Development Block Grant, Refuse and Police Relief and Fire Relief funds.
3. Shelard watermain project
It was moved by Councilman Martin, seconded by Councilman Duffy, to enact
Ordinance No. 1632-84A declaring an emergency for Project No. 84-06, Shelard
Park watermain looping project, because the time constraints of following
the bidding process would subject the Equitable Life Assurance Society of
the United States of being without a back-up watermain looping system that
would ensure that its property would not be without water service at any time.
The emergency ordinance was enacted on a 5-0-1 vote (Councilman Backes abstained).
4. Revenue Sharing hearing
It was moved by Councilman Martin, seconded by Councilman Backes, to set an
administrative hearing on the City's proposed use of General Revenue Sharing
funds for October 1, 1984 at 7:15 p.m. The motion passed 6-0.
5. Ad.iournment
The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Respectfully subm'
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Sharon G. Klu pp
Recording Secreta