HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997 10-02 FCM• MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE FINANCIAL COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER
OCTOBER 2, 1997
CITY HALL, CONFERENCE ROOM B
CALL TO ORDER.
Chair Donn Escher called the meeting to order at 7:03 P.M. in Conference Room B.
ROLL CALL
Present at roll call were Chair Donn Escher, Commissioners: Ned Storla, Ron Christensen, Larry
Peterson, and Jerry Blamey. Commissioner Jay Hruska arrived at 7:25. Also present were
Council Liaison Debra Hilstrom, City Manager Michael McCauley, and Finance Director Charlie
Hansen. Commissioner Michael Weidner was absent and excused.
An_ nroval of Minutes
A motion was made by Commissioner Jerry Blamey to approve the minutes of the September 4,
1997 meeting. Commissioner Ned Storla seconded the motion and all members voted in its favor.
Chair Donn Escher and Commissioner Larry Peterson abstained.
Agenda
The proposed agenda was approved by consensus with the addition of three items.
Policv and Procedure Relating to City Contractual Services For Nonprofit Orsranizations.
Donn Escher explained that the existing document represents a weak policy, but a strong
procedure. This has left the City Council to struggle each year with the questions of how much
money to devote to social services and which organizations to support. He asked for discussion
of the questions the Financial Commission had left with staff at the last meeting.
A copy of the state law prohibiting cities from making gifts. A report from the City
Attorney regarding the Public Trust Doctrine was discussed and Mike McCauley further
explained that the public purpose of the service to be provided is the central issue.
2. A history of past contracts and applicant organizations was discussed.
Sample policies of other cities aren't readily available due to the wide divergence of
practices making it difficult to find a city with comparable practices. The Financial
Commission requested that staff attempt to find other city policies for the next meeting.
4. There was discussion of which of the existing contracts were mandatory in the sense that
the City would feel compelled to duplicate the service if the social service provider
stopped. A memo from Jane Chambers, Assistant City Manager was distributed and
identified Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council and the Project Peace as the ones
the City would feel it needed to duplicate.
z
• In extensive discussion, the following issues were identified in addition to the ones from the
September 4 meeting:
• What business should the City be in?
• How much budget does the City have available for social services each year?
• The current system has a bias for organizations that got approved for funding first.
• The charitable giving policy of Target Stores is "What does the greatest good for the
community.
Commissioner Ron Christensen moved that the Financial Commission recommend to the City
Council that staff be instructed to send a letter to all organizations that applied this year stating that
the Financial Commission will be reviewing social service funding and making recommendations
for the 1999 budget year process on policies to be used in this area. Organizations should be
aware that a policy is being developed and that reception of funding in the 1998 budget should not
be relied on as guaranteeing funding in 1999 under whatever new policies may be developed.
Commissioner Ned Storla seconded the motion and all members voted in its favor. Chair Donn
Escher will appear at the October 27 City Council meeting to present the recommendation.
Undate on Citv Council actions relating to the nronosed building bonds.
Michael McCauley handed out a draft of the next City Watch Newsletter which publicizes the
November 4 special bond election. It announces that the City Council has decided that the
• proposed Police Station will be located at 67th and Humboldt Avenues. The Police and Fire
associations will be doing a campaign to build support for the election.
Vote Yes Committee.
Debra Hilstrom invited everyone to attend an October 8 meeting of the vote yes committee and
announced that four individuals, including Jerry Blamey, have agreed to co-chair the committee.
Ouorum.
Ned Storla asked if it would be possible to reduce the quorum required for meetings from four to
three commissioners. It was discussed whether this would be desirable. Staff was instructed to
see if the Financial Commission enabling resolution spoke on this matter.
Next Meeting
There is a City Council budget work session on Monday, November 3 to which the Financial
Commission is invited. The next meeting of the Financial Commission will be at the call of the
Chair and will most likely be the first Thursday in November or December, 1997 at 7:00 P.M.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Ned Storla moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:39 P.M. Commissioner Jerry
Blamey seconded the motion and all members voted in its favor.
•
3