HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984/09/24 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study SessionMINUTES
BUDGET STUDY SESSION
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
September 24, 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 and Lyle Hanks.
Also present were the City Manager, Director of Finance and Assistant
Director of Finance.
2. Attorney Presentations
The City Council invited Steve Lange and John Miller to make presen-
tations at this meeting in response to Mr. Miller's request that
the City consider retaining his firm to serve as City Prosecutor.
Steve Lange told the City Council that he has been serving as
City Prosecutor since 1969. He said that St. Louis Park is regarded
as the firm's most important client. He also described the services
that he hasbeenproviding and emphasized his firm's ability to meet
the demands of the Hennepin County court schedule. In conclusion,
he said that the City received a good return on its investment
in terms of the revenues received from Municipal Court and traffic
fines. The City Manager noted that 1985 revenue estimates for
the Municipal Court total $120,000, while $1 10,000 is projected
from traffic fines. Councilman Mitchell asked for further information
on how the fines are set and the relationship that exists between
the services provided by the attorney and the revenues received
from these fines by the City.
In his presentation, John Miller said that he could save the City
money because he would charge only $40/hour for his services.
He pointed out that Steve Lange's firm was compensated at the
rate of $55/hr. John Miller also said that his St. Louis Park
office location would be advantageous to the City. He said that
he has experience in working with misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors,
but that much of this experience comes from a defense standpoint.
3. Budget Review
The City Council reviewed information that showed the effect that
a .5 and 1 mill increase would have on property taxes paid by
owners of residential homes valued at $60,000 and $70,000. It
was moved by Councilman Duffy, seconded by Councilman Mitchell,
to set the 1985 mill levy at 18.72 mills. The motion was approved
5-0.
The City Manager advised Council that while the School District
had approved a total contribution of $72,343 as its share for
the jointly -sponsored Recreation programs, it had made a change
l
t.
Budget study session minutes
September 24, 1984
to the allocation of these funds which needs to be reflected in
the 1985 budget. The School District increased its allocation to
the Park Improvement fund by $4,263 and decreased its allocation
to the Recreation fund in the same amount. In addition to these
changes, the City Manager said that these changes would also have
to be reflected in the General Revenue Sharing fund. It was moved
by Councilman Backes, seconded by Councilman Martin, to increase
the Park Improvement fund by $4,263, to reduce the Recreation fund
by $4,263 and to make the necessary adjustments reflecting these
changes in the General Revenue Sharing fund. The motion passed
5-0.
In response to questions raised at the September 10, 1984 budget
meeting, the City Manager said that revenues for sign fees would
be increased from $1,000 to $5,000 based on the City's review of
this revenue source.
Following a presentation by the Planning Director, Council directed
that $100,000 be allocated in the 1985 Park Improvement fund for
development of Shelard Park.
The City Manager made a brief presentation regarding the organizational
study that had been completed for the Inspectional Services Department.
The City Manager emphasized the need to conduct a training program
for this department and requested that the City Council increase
the funding for conferences and schools. It was moved by Councilman
Martin, seconded by Councilman Backes, to increase the conferences
and schools account in the Inspectional Services budget by $5,000.
In response to a question from Councilman
for traffic signal improvements at the
Ave. and Cedar Lake Road were discussed.
4. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon G. Klumpp
Mitchell, the MSA allocation
intersection of Louisiana