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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006 05-22 CCM Work Session MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL /ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA WORK SESSION May 22, 2006 CITY HALL — COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council /Economic Development Authority met in Work Session and was called to order by Mayor/President Myrna Kragness at 8:15 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor /President Myrna Kragness and Councilmembers /Commissioners Kathleen Carmody, Kay Lasman, Diane Niesen, and Mary O'Connor. Also present were City Manager/Executive Director Michael McCauley, Assistant City Manager/Director of Operations Curt Boganey, Director of Fiscal & Support Services Dan Jordet, and Deputy City Clerk Camille Worley. ACTIVE DISCUSSION ITEMS: 1. 2007 Budget Development Overview Discussion a. Overview of 2006 budget and priorities b. Overview of 2007 budget development issues City Manager/Executive Director Michael McCauley discussed the major review of the Capital Improvement Plan. He stated there are a few large capital planning items that Staff needs be focused on for a timely completion. He stated normally, the City would be reviewing other cities salaries and benefits and preparing a compensation analysis. He explained that local government aid has not been determined at this time and more information will be available in August. 2. Individual Council requested potential budget process requests for City Council direction on whether to pursue discussion, research, and /or analysis for future budget meetings: a. Council Member Niesen: i. Lighting for Lions Park ball fields Councilmember Niesen stated she received complaints regarding the lighting at Lions Park ball fields because the games must end by 8:00 p.m., due to the lack of lighting. Mr. McCauley stated lighting for Lions Park ball fields is not something the City includes in the capital improvement plan. 05/22/06 1 ii. Post - employment benefits iii. Employee benefits iv. GASB 43 & 45 Councilmember Niesen inquired about whether the post - employment benefits would impact the budget or not. Mr. McCauley stated some monies are already identified for the post employment benefits. He stated that it has been funded in the past, will continue to be funded, and should be monitored. He discussed the cafeteria dollars available to the current employees. He stated the only post employment benefit offered to those hired before January 1, 1992, are single health insurance if they have 25 continuous years of service. v. Employee benefits as a percent of overall salary and benefit variances between salary categories Councilmember Niesen stated private sector generally allocates 30% to employee benefits and asked what percentage the City provides. Mr. McCauley responded the average paid employees are given close to 30% benefits; however the higher salaried employees are further from the 30% benefits. He stated the cafeteria payment is the same for all paid employees. Mr. McCauley and Councilmember Niesen discussed the difference between union and nonunion employees in terms of compensation and the process of determining their percentage of benefit. vi. Dedication of cable funds for cable equipment Mr. McCauley stated the cable equipment information will return to the City Council when the information has been collected from Tim Gaffron. Mayor Kragness and Councilmember Lasman stated they were under the impression that the cable equipment funds would come from the General Fund. Mr. McCauley discussed different equipment upgrading options. He stated information on the options would be before the City Council at a later date. Councilmember Niesen stated concern that the money in the General Fund is for replacement of staff computers and not for the upgrade of cable equipment. vii. Cities used for salary comparisons Councilmember Niesen suggested that the City compare its salaries to closer Cities, other than White Bear Lake, Shoreview, and Edina. Mr. McCauley responded the City of Brooklyn Center does not use Edina when comparing salaries. Councilmember Niesen stated the surrounding Cities should be used as comparisons. Mr. McCauley stated White Bear Lake helps to lower the average salary. He stated some surrounding cities would raise the average employee salary. 05/22/06 2 Mr. McCauley explained that the Financial Commission generally looks at established or older cities with similar populations. He continued by discussing the method in which comparable cities are selected. Councilmember Niesen stated she understands the process better now and is satisfied with the current comparable cities. viii. Having the city research and offer civics classes Councilmember Niesen stated she hopes that the City can offer civics classes amongst the other classes offered. Councilmember Carmody responded the Anoka Hennepin and Brooklyn Center School districts have adult education classes. She stated the school districts are better equipped to teach the classes, however she would be in favor of supporting such programs. Councilmember Lasman stated the adult education classes are beyond community education and are offered to everyone. Mr. McCauley stated District 281 has a welcome center for immigrants where classes are offered. The Council discussed programs offered by different organizations in the area. Councilmember Niesen stated she would contact the Adult Education Center on Brooklyn Boulevard to find out more information on classes offered at their facility. 3. Council Direction: a. Operations target i. Continue current level, sustain, increase, or decrease b. Budget development Councilmember Carmody inquired about the stated increase in wages and insurance amount of $300,000 to $350,000 and asked if it included the pension rates. Mr. McCauley stated the estimate is a rough estimate. He stated if not covered, some additional funding will be available after the conversion of Police dispatch to Hennepin County. The City Council discussed the funds allocated to the Watershed District and wetland project. Public Works Director /City Engineer Todd Blomstrom stated it will take approximately six months to have all the issues resolved at the Watershed. MISCELLANEOUS Councilmember O'Connor inquired about the hotel at the Earle Brown Heritage Center. Mr. McCauley stated that the revised proposal should be received soon. Councilmember O'Connor stated she would like the budget at zero with no increases for next year and she would like to see the City get out of enterprises such as the Earle Brown Heritage 05/22/06 3 Center, Community Center, and Liquor Stores to reduce staff and thus reduce the budget and taxes. It was the consensus of the City Council to discuss the City Manager review form in February 2007. Mr. McCauley stated the form would be kept with the packet. He stated the item could be placed on the February 2007 agenda. Councilmember Niesen stated she would like it to be placed on the agenda for the first meeting in February 2007. Mayor Kragness stated she will not be attending the budget meeting with the Financial Commission on June 5 t `. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember /Commissioner Carmody moved and Councilmember /Commissioner Lasman seconded adjournment of the City Council/Economic Development Authority Work Session at 9:20 p.m. M tion passed animously. City Clerk Q Mayor/Pr sident 05/22/06 4