HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998 01-22 FCMMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE FINANCIAL COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER
JANUARY 22, 1998
CITY HALL, CONFERENCE ROOM B
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Donn Escher called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. in Conference Room B.
ROLL CALL
Present at roll call were Chair Donn Escher, Commissioners: Larry Peterson, Michael Weidner,
and Jay Hruska. Also present was Finance Director Charlie Hansen. City Manager Michael
McCauley arrived at 7:20. Commissioner Ron Christensen was absent and unexcused.
Commissioner Jerry Blamey and Council Liaison Kay Lasman were absent and excused.
Agenda
The proposed agenda was approved by consensus with the addition of two items.
Annroval of Minutes
A motion was made by Commissioner Larry Peterson to approve the minutes of the October 2,
1997 meeting. Commissioner Michael Weidner seconded the motion and all members voted in
its favor.
• Letter from the Mavor
Chair Donn Escher read a letter from the Mayor regarding a change in the enabling resolution for
city commissions which makes the City Council liaison rather than the City staff liaison
responsible for informing the Mayor of resignations of commission members. Commission
members who have unexcused absences for three meetings in a row lose their positions.
Annual Meeting
Chair Donn Escher announced the annual meeting and asked for nominations for the position of
chair for 1998. Larry Peterson nominated Donn Escher to be chair. Jay Hruska seconded the
nomination. All members voted in favor of the nomination. Chair Donn Escher appointed
Michael Weidner to be Vice Chair.
Ouorum.
At the last meeting, the possibility had been raised of reducing the quorum required for meetings
from four to three commissioners. Extensive discussion followed. It was decided by consensus
that it was neither desirable or permissible to reduce the quorum requirements.
Discussion of Standard Meeting Date for 1998
It was decided to retain the first Thursday of each month as the standard meeting date of the
Financial Commission. March 12th was set as the next scheduled meeting of the Financial
Commission, based upon pending agenda items and conflicts with members' schedules.
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Discussion of how the Financial Commission wants to nroceed regarding the Policv and Procedure
Relating to Citv Contractual Services For Nonnrofit Organizations.
Donn Escher reviewed the issue as it has been discussed over the past several meetings. He asked
for a subcommittee to develop a proposal and report back at the Financial Commission's March
12th meeting. Commissioners Michael Weidner and Jay Hruska volunteered and were appointed
to the subcommittee.
Review of Adequate General Fund Balance Policv Formula.
Charlie Hansen reviewed the history of the formula including its original adoption and the
previous changes. Since the last change to the formula, the format of the City budget has changed
so that the debt service property tax levy is included in the General Fund. The inclusion of this
tax levy causes the formula to calculate a higher fund balance requirement than what General Fund
realistically needs. The current proposed change excludes the debt service tax levy from the
calculation of working capital and from the reserve for overestimation of revenues. This
essentially returns the calculation to where it was two years ago, before the budget format change.
Commissioner Jay Hruska moved to recommend to the City Council the revised Adequate General
Fund Balance Policy Formula. Commissioner Larry Peterson seconded the motion and all
members voted in its favor.
In further discussion it was noted that the current formula calculates the amount available in excess
of General Fund needs. However, it doesn't clearly state the minimum required fund balance or
show the 50% of the excess which is available for transfer to another purpose in a given year
according to the policy. Commissioner Michael Weidner moved to recommend to the City
Council an Adequate General Fund Balance Policy Formula which fully reflects provisions of the
policy on one page. Commissioner Jay Hruska seconded the motion and all members voted in its
favor.
Undate on the Status of the Police and Fire Building Proiect.
Michael McCauley reviewed the developments and status of the police and fire building projects.
He went on to describe potential sites for relocating the Boulevard Liquor Store which is being
displaced from its current location in a shared building with the West Fire Station. The plans of
the new owners of the Brookdale Mall were also discussed.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Michael Weidner moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 P.M. Commissioner Jay
Hruska seconded the motion and all members voted in its favor.
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