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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988/09/19 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session MINUTES 4111 City Council study session St. Louis Park, Minnesota September 19, 1988 1 . Call to order Mayor Hanks called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. 2. Roll call . The following members were present at roll call : Bruce Battaglia, Thomas Duffy, Allen Friedman, David Strand and Lyle Hanks. Also present were the Acting City Manager, Director and Assistant Directors of Finance and Assistant to the City Manager. - _ 3. Budget The Acting City Manager provided the City Council with a brief background of the proposed 1989 budget. The Finance Director distributed tax tables relative to the value of homes and current taxes as compared' to increases under the proposed 1989 budget. Councilmember Strand stated that he would prefer that contingency type items not be included in the budget but rather be included in a reserve account. He voiced concern that the City would spend the money if it is included as a line item in the budget. 4111 The Acting City Manager stated that items placed in the reserve account would come back before the City Council for their consideration. She highlighted key areas reflecting increases in the proposed 1989 budget. Councilmember Friedman asked with respect to the proposed new sanitarian position whether or not the City providing the service is a money generator for the City and if the county were to take over this function, what costs the City would incur. The City Council recommended placing the building maintenance laborer position into the reserve account. Councilmember Friedman askeistaff to research the cost and efficiency for providing an outside maintenance contract. Councilmember Strand asked, with respect to the dispatcher position, whether or not the dispatchers enjoy working overtime. The Acting City Manager highlighted concerns in terms of the length of hours dispatchers are currently working and the number of days without a break they are currently working. Councilmember Battaglia asked staff to look into a break even point of the number of overtime hours vs. the hours for a new position and the costs associated with those. Staff was also asked to look into staffing the position on a part-time basis. Councilmember Battaglia stated it was his understanding the Sick Leave for Fitness program was supposed to be self-supporting and requested that staff review the program for the City Council . Councilmember Battaglia suggested that staff review more frequent utility billings than quarterly in lieu of 411/ increases as this would make payment easier for residents. The Acting City Manager provided information with respect to the additional costs associated with that and indicated that at least an additional part-time person would be necessary to handle the billings. Councilmember Strand suggested that staff review the possibility of developing Study session minutes September 19, 1988 2. a budget plan similar to NSP and Minnegasco for refuse and utility rate billings. Council recommended placing the work stations into the unallocated general account and to further provide the City Council with justifications and alternatives. The Council also recommended that the $ 3,000 budgeted for the cul-de-sac at Xenwood Ave. in the vicinity of the American Legion be placed in the general unallocated account. Councilmember Friedman requested that the capital costs and service costs for the MIS capabilities be identified. The Mayor raised concerns over the I-394/Louisiana Ave. project in terms of how much outside aid the City would be receiving and how the allocation of state aid funds would affect other projects within the City. Councilmember Strand asked how Reilly projects would be financed in 1990. The Finance Director responded that those projects would be financed through rate increases. Councilmember Strand asked how much does a 5% rate increase generate. The Finance Director stated $85,000-$90,000. Mayor Hanks asked whether the City could sell' bonds instead of raising rates as an option. Staff was then requested to review committed projects and their costs and a timeframe for their implementation. Council approved an increase for the counselor from $239,000 to $250,000 and increased the prosecuting attorney from $170,000 to $177,000. Councilmember Friedman asked why the Luverne pumper was rusted after eight years. The Acting City Manager stated she would provide Council with that informa- tion. Councilmember Strand asked what the life of a front end loader is. The Finance Director stated it depends upon the use but generally 15 years. Council discussed two 'alternatives for revenue generation, one being a licensing fee for apartment rental and the second being a hotel/motel tax. In reviewing the Legislative budget, the City Council removed $17,500 in 1988 and $15,000 in 1989 for the elimination of a marketing survey. Relating to the Administrative budget, Council inquired as to the general compensa- tion plan and how our City compares with other cities. The Acting City Manager discussed the impact of comparable worth on the City and that in the Stanton survey - a survey of all Minnesota communities - St. Louis Park ranks relatively low. Councilmember Friedman asked how the number of employees in the City compared per capita to other communities. The Council recommended that all furniture budgeted in individual budgets be relocated the general unallocated fund. The Council concluded this budget session with discussion of the Personnel budget and had no changes. The Council scheduled Monday, Sept. 26 at 5:00 p.m. for its next review session. The meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.