HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009/06/22 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session Ifl St. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES
MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
June 22, 2009
The meeting convened at 6:00 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Jeff Jacobs, John Basil!, Phil Finkelstein, Paul Omodt, Loran
Paprocki and Sue Sanger.
Councilmembers absent: C. Paul Carver.
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Chief Information Officer (Mr. Pires), Community
Development Director (Mr. Locke), Finance Director (Mr. DeJong), Fire Chief (Mr. Stemmer),
Human Resource Director (Ms. Gohman), Inspections Director (Mr. Hoffman), Parks &
Recreation Director (Ms. Walsh), Police Chief (Mr. Luse), Public Works Director (Mr. Rardin),
Assistant Finance Director (Mr. Swanson), Human Resource Coordinator (Ms. Fosse) and
Organizational Development Coordinator (Ms. Gothberg).
1. 2010 and 2011 Budget Discussion
City Council and department directors and other invited staff participated in a discussion regarding
the 2010 and 2011 budgets, with the following accomplished:
• A renewed understanding of operating budget challenges and capital and debt service
needs.
• Understanding and agreement on proposed 2010 budget framework/strategy and related
implications.
• Understanding of proposed initiatives to help meet budget challenges for 2011 and
beyond.
• Reviewed and discussed City Council "stop doing" or "do differently" ideas.
• Reached an agreement on approach for communicating with the public.
Council agreed that a modest levy should be considered for 2010. Council requested information
on a levy increase showing what it would mean to various valued homes if it is set at $500,000 or
$700,000, etc. Council also stated that they wanted to revisit their salaries to lower them for 2010.
Council agreed that staff is on the right track for 2010 and understands there is more work needed
for 2011 and was appreciative of all the information. Council agreed with staffs' recommendation
regarding education and communication on the budget.
2. MSC Renovation Project Update
Mr. Hoffman updated Council on the MSC Project. Mr. Rardin and Ms. Walsh also participated
in the conversation. Five different opportunities and concepts were presented and discussed with
Council. Council consensus was to direct staff to bring the bid to the City Council meeting on July
6 for action. Council also stated that they want staff to use a construction services consultant to
verify architect estimates during the future fire station projects.
Study Session Minutes -2- June 22, 2009
Written Reports provided and documented for recording purposes only:
3. May, 2009 Monthly Financial Report
4. ARRA Assistance to Firefighters Fire Station Construction Grants
5. The West End Redevelopment Project Update
6. Future Study Session Agenda Planning—July 13, 2009
The meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m.
Nancy Stroth, ity Clerk Jeff J co s, ayor