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Home My WebLink About1992 03-12 FTFM0 MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE FINANCIAL TASK FORCE OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER MARCH 12, 1992 C BARN Chair Kelly convened the meeting at 7:05 p.m. at the C Barn on the Earle Brown Heritage Center grounds Present at roll call were Kelly, Kanatz, Boyd, Boran, Escher and Councilmember Pedlar. Councilmember Cohen was present for a portion of the meeting. Others present were Fire Chief Boman, Finance Director Holmlund and City Manager Splinter. Chair Kelly invited Fire Chief Boman to make his presentation regarding the activities and organization of the fire department. Chief Boman began the presentation with a review of the organizational chart of the department and explanation of the volunteer (part time) fire department organization. Chief Boman reviewed compensation pattern of the department and reviewed the potential changes the future may bring. He reviewed the special requirements and skills of the organization in the area of fire interdiction, prevention, high rope rescue, dive team and rescue services. He explained the fire departments in the northwest area were working together to coordinate services and specialized training such as hazardous materials situations which Fridley specializes in and an informal agreement with Brooklyn Center in which they will handle any hazardous material spills which occur in Brooklyn Center and we would handle any drowning or water rescue activities in Fridley. He stated the future will bring many more joint efforts such as a possible joint fire training facility. Chair Kelly asked Chief Boman if he could interrupt his presentation as Councilmember Cohen requested time before the committee for a short presentation and he was scheduled for a meeting later at another location. Councilmember Cohen stated the City Council had requested a review by the Task Force the Hockey Boosters had requested special consideration for funding to see their program through this season. He believed there was a need to have an overall policy regarding this and the Park and Recreation Commission was going to look into it. His suggestion was the community consider this type of funding request as a part of the priorities before the Task Force and the Council. He further stated he believed a program should be developed to assist in funding athletic and other similar community activities on the basis of funding for those participants who are in need (need based subsidy). He further stated this type of program should be not just for hockey but for all sports so we can assure equal access to these programs by all youth in the community. 3-12-92 -1- Councilmember Cohen also stated the state legislation was considering the Governor's proposal to cut significantly local government aids from cities. Brooklyn Center would stand to lose approximately $623,000 out of its 1992 budget and a similar amount in 1993 and 1994. He stated this puts added pressure on the Task Force and he has been very pleased and proud of the work this Task Force and Councilmember Pedlar have been doing. He further stated he was sure the community will have confidence in their work. He believed the legislature, if it acts favorably on the Governor's proposal, will break the trust with cities who last year assisted the legislature in supporting the counties in the passing of an additional half-cent on the sales tax. As a part of that deal the legislature would dedicate a portion of the sales tax revenue and created a local government trust fund. The Governor's proposal destroys that trust fund and breaks faith with communities who in previous years supported efforts to stabilize state revenues to cities. He thanked the Task Force for their consideration and apologized to Chief Boman for interrupting his presentation. Chief Boman continued his presentation as it related to the Fire Department spending considerable time reviewing the history of the department's activities and the funding of the pension fund, the need to keep certain equipment and pumping capacities to meet insurance standards and expressing the need for future consideration of additional day time fire fighter capacities, either full or part time. There was a motion by Boran and second by Escher to approve the minutes of the February 27, 1992, meeting. The motion passed unanimously. Finance Director Holmlund presented to the Task Force a modified version of sections of the financial policies relating to the use of reserves and the formula for establishing fund balance. After extensive discussion regarding the application of the various portions of the proposed modified reserve policies, Finance Director Holmlund was asked by the Task Force to consider modifications suggested by Task Force and staff arising out of the discussions and resubmit the proposed reserve policies as a part of the overall Financial Policy for Task Force final evaluation. Finance Director Holmlund asked the Task Force to review one additional modification as suggested by the City Assessor. He presented an addition to the Financial Policies which would require staff and Council to establish in any tax increment agreement a minimum assessed value agreement on the part of the developer so as to stabilize revenue from the taxing district. Manager Splinter explained this program, or feature, was part of our current tax increment agreements and it is an important feature to have included in these agreements and is worth placing in the Financial Policy document. The Task Force agreed this process or feature should be included in the final draft of the Financial Policies. • 3-12-92 -2- City Manager Splinter reviewed the forms and processes which are ongoing as a part of the departmental prioritization process which will result in suggested 10% cuts in the city general fund budget. Manager Splinter reviewed the various forms and gave samples of the type of information which would be placed on these forms and asked if this type of information will assist the Task Force in making its evaluation and final recommendations. He stated it was important the Task Force have information presented to them in a manner in which they could review and understand. Members Boran, Kelly, Escher, Kanatz and Boyd asked various questions regarding these submittals. They asked the City Manager if the employee involvement process will produce the type of detail on both the expenditure and revenue side which will be necessary to assist them in making their decision. Manager Splinter reviewed various details of the forms on which the department strategies and the City Manager's recommendations will be submitted. After review of the various forms and the type of information on them, the Task Force agreed if this type of information would be submitted in the same detail as the samples it would assist them in making their decisions. Chair Kelly suggested the meetings for the Task Force in April be on the 9th and the 23rd. There was consensus among the membership on these dates and they asked the City Manager to secure the C Barn on the Heritage Center grounds for these meetings. Chair Kelly asked Manager Splinter what was on the agenda for the next meeting and he stated there would be a. presentation of the recreation department programs for review by the Task Force and he would have more information regarding the budget shortfalls proposed by the Governor and a final draft of the Financial Policies. Chair Kelly adjourned the meeting at 9:35 p.m 0 3-12-92 -3-