HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997 09-04 FCMMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE FINANCIAL COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER
SEPTEMBER 4, 1997
CITY HALL, CONFERENCE ROOM B
CALL TO ORDER
Vice Chair Ned Storla called the meeting to order at 7:25 P.M. in Conference Room B.
ROLL CALL
Present at roll call were, Commissioners: Ned Storla, Ron Christensen, Jerry Blamey and Michael
Weidner. Also present were Council Liaison Debra Hilstrom, Assistant City Manager Jane
Chambers, and Finance Director Charlie Hansen. Chair Donn Escher and Commissioners Jay
Hruska and Larry Peterson were absent and excused.
Annroval of Minutes
A motion was made by Commissioner Jerry Blamey to approve the minutes of the August 14,
1997 meeting. Commissioner Ned Storla seconded the motion and all members voted in its favor.
Commissioners Ron Christensen and Michael Weidner abstained.
Agenda
The proposed agenda was approved by consensus.
Discussion of Citv Council reouest for the Financial Commission to examine whether contracts
with social service agencies should decline to aero over a over a five vear neriod as a nolicv.
Charlie Hansen explained that this issue was previously dealt with in 1994 when the Financial
Commission and the Human Rights Commission jointly developed the policy and procedure
enclosed in the agenda packet. That document is stronger on the procedure end and the City
Council is interested in revisiting the policy end at this time. Jane Chambers presented a memo
outlining points to be considered and in an extensive discussion the following issues were
identified:
• How should applications from new organizations be handled.
• What sources of funds should the City use (taxes, CDBG,etc.)
• Joint powers agreements grew out of groups asking the City to be part of a more efficient
delivery of services.
• How do we know which agencies really deliver worthwhile & efficient services.
• How much City and agency staff time is spent on the application process.
• What is the goal of the policy; to provide services on an ongoing basis or to develop seed
money for organizations.
• The purpose is to buy a service which the City wants for its citizens.
• Does a given service match up with current City priorities.
• Should applications be reviewed within set categories: housing, mediation, recreation,
• transportation, etc.
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• • Is a given service something the City would feel compe1
g led to provide in the absence of
the non-profit agency or is it discretionary.
• Before applications come in, the City Council should decide goals for the year.
It was concluded that additional information and discussion are needed. Ron Christensen asked
for the staff to assemble the following information:
1. A copy of the state law prohibiting cities from making gifts.
2. A history of past contracts and applicant organizations.
3. Sample policies of other cities.
Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Financial Commission will be Thursday, October 2, 1997 at 7:00 P.M.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Michael Weidner moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:26 P.M. Commissioner Jerry
Blamey seconded the motion and all members voted in its favor.
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