HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997 01-09 FCM• MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE FINANCIAL COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER
JANUARY 9, 1997
CITY HALL, CONFERENCE ROOM B
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Donn Escher called the meeting to order at 7:01 P.M. in Conference Room B.
ROLL CAI_,1,, ,
Present at roll call were Chair Donn Escher, Commissioners: Ned Storla, Jay Hruska, and Jerry
Blamey. Commissioner Ron Christensen arrived at 7:07 P.M. Also present were Mayor Myrna
Kragness, Council Member Debra Hilstrom, City Manager Michael McCauley, Finance Director
Charlie Hansen and a citizen, Mike Redusky. Commissioner Larry Peterson was unexcused.
Discussion of Status and Role of the Financial Commission
Chair Donn Escher raised his concern over the lack of involvement of the Financial Commission
in City finances and asked what direction the Financial Commission should go in the future. He
handed out and read a prepared statement. Extensive discussion followed. Mayor Kragness and
Councilmember Hilstrom expressed their desire to continue the Financial Commission and find
ways to use it more effectively in 1997.
i Annroval of Minutes
A motion was made by Commissioner Ron Christensen to approve the minutes of the November
14, 1996 meeting. Commissioner Jay Hruska seconded the motion and all members voted in its
favor except for Commissioners Donn Escher, Ned Storla, and Jerry Blarney who abstained from
voting.
Annual Meeting
Chair Donn Escher asked for nominations for the position of chair for 1997. Ron Christensen
nominated Donn Escher to be chair. Ned Storla seconded the nomination. All members voted
in favor of the nomination. Chair Donn Escher appointed Ned Storla to be Vice Chair.
Update of Fire & Police Bui ~'ng Needs Planning
Mike McCauley presented two draft site plans for the Civic Center and the West Fire Station.
The Civic Center plan contemplates moving general office space to a new addition connecting the
current City Hall to the Community Center. The existing City Hall would be remodeled on both
floors for the Police Department. At the West Fire Station, the current building would be
demolished and the Liquor Store relocated to a yet to be determined site. A new fire station
would be built on the current site with a drive through apparatus bay. The East Fire Station
would be remodeled but not enlarged. Preliminary cost estimates are $3,200,000 to build the west
and remodel the east fire stations and $3,500,000 to build the general office space and remodel
the Police Station.
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• Review of Capital Improvements Fund Expenditure Policy
Mike McCauley presented a draft of a capital expenditure reserve fund policy to set aside
$1,000,000 for a true emergency fund. The remaining assets would stay in the existing Capital
Improvements Fund and would be available to use for current city needs with an amended Capital
Improvements Fund Expenditure Policy.
Debra Hilstrom asked if the policy defined what projects would be allowed in each fund. Ron
Christensen expressed concern about striking the requirement for a minimum fund balance. Mike
McCauley explained that this need is met by the reserve fund. Donn Escher asked for a chart to
explain how the two funds would work in practice. Mike McCauley proposed a review of the
cash resources of all funds.
Discussion of Standard Meeting Date for 1997
It was decided to change the standard meeting date of the Financial Commission to the first
Thursday of each month, beginning in March. Mike McCauley announced that the City Council
has proposed to have a joint meeting with the Financial Commission in May. This will take place
on Thursday, May 1, in keeping with the new standard meeting date.
Next Meeting
The next meeting will be Thursday, February 13, 1997 at 7:00 P.M.
• ADJOURNMENT
Chair Donn Escher declared the meeting adjourned at 9:00 P.M.
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