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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005 11-21 CCM Joint Work Session with Financial Commission MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA JOINT WORK SESSION WITH FINANCIAL COMMISSION NOVEMBER 21, 2005 CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council met in Work Session with the Financial Commission at City Hall and was called to order by Mayor Pro Tern Kathleen Carmody and Financial Commission Chair Donn Escher at 6:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Councilmembers Kathleen Carmody, Kay Lasman, Diane Niesen, and Mary O'Connor. Also present: City Manager Michael McCauley, Assistant City Manager /Director of Operations Curt Boganey, Director of Public Works Todd Blomstrom, and Director of Fiscal and Support Services Daniel Jordet. Mayor Myrna Kragness was absent and excused. Financial Commission Members present were Commission Chair Donn Escher and Commissioners Robert Anderson, Robert Paulson (arrived at 6:40 p.m. and left at 7:40 p.m.), Susan Shogren Smith, and Earl Simons. Commissioner Mark Nemec was absent and excused. Commissioner Samuel Tweah was absent and unexcused. UTILITY STUDY PRESENTATION City Manager Michael McCauley introduced Naeem Qureshi, P.E. and Brian Zinnel from Progressive Consulting Engineers, Inc. and stated they will present a Utility Study. Mr. Qureshi introduced himself and discussed the analysis of utility billing. He recommended that the City change the billing method to increase profits. Mr. Zinnel presented a PowerPoint Presentation, outlining the following information: • Historic and Projected Water and Sewer and Operating & Maintenance Expenses • Capital Improvement Plan for Water and Sewer Account • Water and Sewer Revenues and Expenses: Current Charges • Water and Sewer Account Cash Balance: Current Charges • Current Water and Sewer Charge Structure • Total Revenue Requirement • Proposed Water and Sewer Charges • Residential and Commercial Quarterly Water Charges for 2007: Current Charges vs. Proposed Charges • Water and Sewer Account Cash Balance: Current Charges vs. Proposed Charges. Staff, Councilmembers, and the Financial Commission discussed the information presented. 11/21/2005 -1- UTILITY RATES AND BUDGETS a. Water b. Sanitary Sewer Mr. McCauley stated a proposed increase of 4% to the Water and Sanitary Sewer Rates, which is less than the projected increase of 5 %. c. Stormwater Mr. McCauley stated the Storm Water Utility Rates are being studied to ensure maintenance of storm water retention ponds. d. Recycling Mr. McCauley stated a proposed 5% increase in the Recycling Rates e. Street Light Utility Mr. McCauley stated a proposed 3% increase in Street Light Utility Rates. He summarized the increase by stating the average total annual increase per household will be $13.55 and $9.21 for seniors. Staff, Councilmembers, and the Financial Commission discussed the Utility Rates and Budgets. EARLE BROWN HERITAGE CENTER Mr. McCauley stated the Earle Brown Heritage Center fund is on track and on budget for 2006 and continues to meet goals. Staff, Councilmembers, and the Financial Commission discussed the Earle Brown Heritage Center Budget. LIQUOR STORES Mr. McCauley stated projection of a lower budget than 2005 due to decreased sales. He explained that the 2005 actual sales are an increase from 2004. He stated short term requirements will be met, however considering long term, if profits do not increase, the store is not worth keeping open. Staff, Councilmembers, and the Financial Commission discussed the Liquor Stores Budget. CENTERBROOK GOLF COURSE Mr. McCauley discussed the 2006 plans for Centerbrook Golf Course and stated the City has been successful covering operations due to the warm weather. Staff, Councilmembers, and the Financial Committee discussed the Centerbrook Golf Course budget. 11/21/2005 -2- CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN Mr. McCauley stated there are two projects in 2008 that may exceed fiscal capacity; therefore, the budget shown is a 2008 primary. Director of Public Works /City Engineer Todd Blomstrom discussed the Capital Improvement Program. Staff, Councilmembers, and the Financial Commission discussed the Capital Improvement Plan. TECHNOLOGY FUND Mr. McCauley stated funding for the Fiber Installation from City Hall to Police, Public Works Garage, and Earle Brown Heritage Center will come from the Technology Fund, as a General Fund transfer and out of the Fund Balance. Staff Councilmembers and the Financial Commission discussed needed technological upgrades. > g pg REPORT ON ASSESSING Mr. McCauley explained the preliminary cost review of Hennepin County Assessing and the terms set forth by Hennepin County. He stated presently, the City has the Staff to perform the required duties. He explained that if the City did not have someone qualified as an assessor, the County would assume the responsibility. Staff, Councilmembers, and the Financial Commission discussed the Report on Assessing. Councilmember Niesen indicated that she was not interested in doing anything with regard to changing assessing in 2006 and stated she wanted to further study the materials that were prepared and may wish to review it further in the future. Councilmember O'Connor stated that she was not interested in having the County undertake the assessing functions. The consensus of the Council was to not pursue having Hennepin County take over the assessing functions. GENERAL FUND UPDATE Mr. McCauley explained the Preliminary Property Tax Levy. He explained that the funding for Police Dispatch in 2006 has been reduced to balance the budget. He stated that originally the full annual cost of dispatch was budgeted as a form of contingency. He stated in the current budget draft, some of the savings of converting to Hennepin County Dispatch has been incorporated in the budget. Staff, Councilmembers, and the Financial Commission discussed the activities of the General Fund. Councilmember Niesen stated salaries should be reviewed next year to insure that the City is not paying beyond its means. 11/21/2005 -3- ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m. City Clerk Mayor 11/21/2005 -4-