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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999 06-21 CCM Special 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 SPECIAL WORK SESSION JOINT MEETING WITH FINANCIAL COMMISSION JUNE 21, 1999 CONFERENCE ROOM B CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council met for a special joint work session with Financial Commission at Brooklyn Center City Hall and was called to order by Mayor Myrna Kragness at 7:01 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor Myrna Kragness, Councilmembers Debra Hilstrom, Kay Lasman, Ed Nelson, and Robert Peppe. Also present: City Manager Michael J. McCauley, Assistant City Manager/HR Director Jane Chambers, Finance Director Charlie Hansen, Recording Secretary Maria Rosenbaum, Financial Commission Chair Donn Escher, and Commission Members Jerald Blarney, Timothy Elftmann, Jay Hruska, Mark Nemec, and Gavin Wilkinson. PRESENTATION BY AUDITOR, DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP Cliff Hoffinan, Partner of Deloitte &Touche LLP, introduced himself and other personnel from the firm, Ginny Halerin and Michelle Knuesel. Mr. Hoffman reviewed pages of the selected financial information dated December 31, 1998, and discussed various aspects of the annual financial report. Public safety is at the high end due to the volunteer fire program and what the differences are for cities that have full -time fire departments. He explained that it is not only the volunteer fire program that makes public safety a high percentage, it is all public safety issues. General fund revenues /expenditures per household. Mr. Hoffman explained the expenditures are per capita and that the State is trying to lower the burden. Selected performance indicators. Mr. Hoffman discussed operating ratios and that the City is much lower than the national average. Mr. Hoffman's one concern is the Earle Brown Heritage Center. 06/21/99 -1- The Earle Brown Heritage Center had a (3.9 %) in 1998. Mr. Hoffinan informed the Council that the City has a lower cost of debt due to the good financial management of the City. Market values and legal debt margin. Mr. Hoffman discussed the difference between the market values and the legal debt margins and explained the reasoning of the legal debt margin. Fire Department Relief Association retirement obligations. Mr. Hoffman informed the Council this pension plan is 100% funded and is at a good financial standpoint. Finance Director Charlie Hansen explained the benefits of the plan and that there has been P discussions about switching the plan from defined benefit to a defined contribution plan. Debt service schedule (principal and interest). Mr. Hoffman discussed the general obligation bonds, the special assessment bonds, and the tax increment bonds. Mr. Hoffman finished the presentation with discussion of management practices to avoid, competitive advantages, challenges, and what the City should do over the next five years. Some of the issues for what the City should do over the next five years are things the City is currently performing or has performed since December 31, 1998. Mr. Hoffman praised the City's staff for all the work they have done. Ms. Halerin explained to the Council the management letter regarding the current year comments and the status of prior year comments regarding the audit process. She also praised the City's staff for all the work they had done. City Manager Michael McCauley stated that the formal presentation of the 1998 Audit will be on the June 28, 1999, agenda. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Lasman made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 p.m., seconded by Councilmember Nelson. Motion passed unanimously. City Clerk ® Mayor 06/21/99 -2- i