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Home My WebLink About2006 09-11 CCM Study Session MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA STUDY SESSION SEPTEMBER 11, 2006 CITY HALL — COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council met in Study Session and was called to order by Mayor Myrna Kragness at 6:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor Myrna Kragness and Councilmembers Kathleen Carmody, Kay Lasman, Diane Niesen, and Mary O'Connor. Also present were Interim City Manager Curt Boganey, Director of Fiscal and Support Services Dan Jordet, and Deputy City Clerk Camille Worley. CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS AND QUESTIONS Councilmember Niesen stated she will request removal of item 7c. from the consent agenda. She inquired about the delinquent utility accounts and asked who in the City decides what will be written off. Interim City Manager Curt Boganey responded that if the utility account is delinquent, it is certified to the property taxes, however the City Council has a policy that if the property changes hands during the time the certification list is being compiled and the services were incurred by the previous owner, the City does not hold the new owner responsible for the bill. He stated this policy then directs the City to attempt to collect from the previous owner and if unsuccessful in that attempt, the amount may be written off. Director of Fiscal and Support Services Dan Jordet stated it is the responsibility of the Utility Billing Clerk to determine which accounts are to be certified to the property taxes. He stated the City has instructed the Utility Billing Clerk to act in favor of the City Council's policy and its past practices. He explained that additional staff members do not review the calculation of accounts to be certified; however the auditors suggested that the calculation be spot checked by someone other than the Utility Billing Clerk. Councilmember Niesen inquired about the City's General Ledger and Claims Report that include all checks written by the City. Mr. Jordet explained that the City has a General Ledger and a list of account payments not including payroll that is compiled weekly. He stated the General Ledger is the overriding ledger of the record of actions that take place. The City Council and Staff discussed the process of accounting for payments to the City and the organization of accounts. Councilmember Niesen inquired about an outstanding $6,000 bill for the Days Inn. She stated concern that the taxpayers would be paying the outstanding water bill if the property were acquired by the City. Mr. Boganey explained that commercial and residential properties are treated the same. Mr. Jordet explained that if the delinquent utility account is certified to the 09/11/06 1 property taxes, that amount would be deducted from the seller's proceeds at the completion of the transaction. Councilmember Carmody inquired about various accounts where listed owners are deceased and asked how the City collects from those properties. Mr. Jordet explained that if the utilities were incurred in the deceased party's name, it would be charged in their name. He further explained that if the City is not informed of the sale of the property, the City makes no changes to the account. He stated if the current owner notifies the City of the change of name on the account, the matter is then usually resolved. Councilmember Niesen requested a key of the codes listed on the Delinquent Utility Accounts report for clarification. The amendments to the August 28, 2006, Study Session, meeting minutes were discussed and it was the majority agreement of the City Council to make the following amendments: August 28, 2006 — Study Session, Paae 2 August 21, 2006 — Joint Work Session w/ Financial Commission, Page 2: Mr. Boganey discussed the Revenues by Source 2002 -2007 Fiscal Years, General Fund Revenue by Source at $1,229,000 LGA. In response to Councilmember O'Connor's inquiry, he stated a 3% wage increase is proposed. He discussed the difference if the full amount of LGA is used or is not used. He discussed Major Funding Sources — Property Taxes with $667,665 of LGA for Operations verses the use of $1,229,388 of LGA for Operations. He stated the difference in the property tax levy if the full amount LGA is used verses it not being used is 2.85% He stated the increase in property taxes would be 2.85% if $667,665 of LGA was used for Operations, which would be a greater increase than last year, which was 2.72 %. The City Council discussed the use of " Councilmember X stated she had nothing to report" in the area of Council Reports in the minutes and whether it is appropriate to list each Councilmember and if or if not they had anything to report. Councilmember Niesen stated she would support not including those who do not report. Mayor Kragness explained that the minutes reflect exactly what is said because she invites each Councilmember to report, and if they decline, the minutes are reflecting that. Councilmember Lasman stated preference that it be left the way it was presented in the minutes, so that all members are recognized during the Council Report. The majority consensus of the City Council was to include each member's report, even if they had nothing to report. Councilmember Niesen stated disappointment that her written statements submitted for the July 10, 2006, City Council meeting were not considered in the manner in which she intended. DISCUSSION OF WORK SESSION AGENDA ITEMS AS TIME PERMITS RECOMMENDATION REGARDING INVESTMENT POLICY MODIFICATIONS PER AUDIT (TENTATIVE REQUEST) — CITY MANAGER 09/11/06 2 Mr. Boganey stated there was no quorum for the Financial Commission meeting, therefore the meeting was rescheduled for September 19, 2006, and it will be back on a Work Session agenda following that meeting. CHARTER COMMISSION PROPOSED AMENDMENTS Mr. Boganey stated the proposed changes to the Charter have been reviewed by the City Attorney who has no objection. He stated it requires a unanimous vote by the City Council for the changes to be effective. He requested direction from the City Council. He asked if this item should be placed on the agenda as a recommendation or returned to the Charter Commission for further consideration. The City Council discussed the proposed changes to the Charter. Councilmember O'Connor indicated that she would like to omit the word registered and not require citizens to be registered in order to participate in a petition. Mr. Boganey explained that if the Charter requires the citizen signing the petition to be registered, the City Clerk can confirm that registration by checking the State voter registration database, however if the Charter does not require them to be registered, it would be difficult to check if the individual is an eligible voter. He stated if the Charter does not require the word "registered," the filing individual would most likely need more than 50 petitioning signatures so that at least 50 registered voters are found on the petition. The City Council discussed the codification, availability of the documents on the City's website, and charges for copies of the document. They discussed recommendations of the previous City Manager regarding "general distribution." Mayor Kragness read from the minutes of a previous meeting that discussed the fact that charging for just one page may not be effective. Councilmember Niesen stated she picked u copies of a document and was per charged a fee p p g p page and stated objection to that, being a City Councilmember. She stated she would like to see everyone charged the same fee for copies of documents. Mr. Boganey discussed the State law which states that for 100 pages or less, $.25 per page for black and white copies is a reasonable charge. He stated this does not mean that the City has to charge $.25 per page; however 99% of the time, when a request for public data is submitted, the customer is going to be charged $.25 per page. He stated this does not prevent the City from giving away copies of information that it wants the general public to have. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Carmody moved and Councilmember Lasman seconded to close the Study Session at 6:46 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. drwku� j/ Jam, /1��gin�� City Clerk Mayor d 09/11/06 3