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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996 08-19 CCM Special Work 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 SPECIAL WORK SESSION AUGUST 19, 1996 CONFERENCE ROOM B The City Manager notified the Council of a pre- demolition gathering for the Brookdale Motel to be held on Monday, August 26, 1996, at 6 p.m. CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council met in special work session and was called to order by Mayor Myrna Kragness at 7:03 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor Myrna Kragness, Councilmembers Kathleen Carmody, Debra Hilstrom, Kristen Mann, and Charles F. Nichols, Sr. Also present were City Manager Michael J. McCauley, Finance Director Charlie Hansen, and Council Secretary Connie Beckman. AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA Councilmembers agreed to add the following items to the August 19, 1996, Special Work Session agenda: Invocation; Substation; Gas Station at 69th Avenue & Brooklyn Blvd.; Garage on 63rd Avenue. INVOCATION Councilmembers viewed a video tape of a Cable Channel 12 newscast regarding the invocation performed at regular Council meetings. The video highlighted a specific invocation given by the Rev. Steve Loopstra which Council maintains contained inappropriate material. During the newscast, it was stated the Brooklyn Center's Council is the only one in the northwest suburbs which has an invocation. After discussion, Council directed staff to prepare an amendment to the City Council Handbook which would amend the Order of Business replacing Opening Ceremonies with Moment of Silence. Council asked that this item be placed on the August 26, 1996, agenda. An opportunity to offer input will be afforded to the public. FORMAL ADOPTION OF GOALS FROM RETREAT Councilmember Hilstrom indicated she has received inquiries about the results of goals Council formulated at its retreat. She would like to see Council officially adopt those goals. The City Manager responded there will be a special issue newsletter sent to City residents addressing taxes, budget issues, etc. He suggested goals information be included in this newsletter edition. As for formal adoption of Council goals, this will be added to an upcoming regular Council meeting agenda. 08/19/96 -1- COMMUNICATIONS TASK FORCE DISBANDING A letter was received from Bernie Gaffney, Chair of the Communications Task Force, in response to a June 4, 1996, memo sent from the City Manager. The letter from Mr. Gaffney indicated the Communications Task Force has "decided to discontinue further meetings as a task force for the City." An item will be added to the August 26, 1996, agenda regarding the Communications Task Force. GENERAL FUND BUDGET. PRELIMINARY TAX LEVY AND TRUTH IN TAXATION HEARING DATE DISCUSSION Truth in Taxation After discussion, the Council elected hearing dates relating to Truth in Taxation as follows: December 4, 1996, for initial hearing; December 11, 1996, for continuation of hearing. Fiscal Disparities The City Manager has been in contact with the North Metro Mayors Association. Joseph Strauss is working on information to present to area communities regarding fiscal disparities disbursement. Development of such information should take place in mid - September with a subsequent presentation for North Metro Councils.. General Fund Budget/Preliminary Tax Levy Dollar figures on the General Fund Budget draft reflect a four percent levy increase for consideration. Council needs to establish a levy which could be lowered after September 9, 1996, but n not raised. The City Manager presented a format change for how -- visually - -the budget could be represented to residents. This format change would contain "contra charges" which are reflective of salaries paid out based on actual time /percentages of time of certain City staff whose responsibilities are not exclusive to one department. Councilmember Hilstrom questioned visual implications, especially how they relate to Enterprise Funds. She wondered if residents would perceive more money is available for use than actually is. The City Manager talked about the advantages /disadvantages of a salary versus salary transfer (contra charges). The Director of Finance agreed contra charges could be wrongfully perceived and, therefore, a transfer of monies would have to be carefully labeled. Councilmember Carmody questioned controls in existence to ensure correct amounts are charged to respective accounts for certain services. The City Manager clarified that some amounts are exact (hours) while other amounts are based on percentages. In order to implement the contra charge format change it will appear as if more has been added to the operating budget when indeed there has been no increase. Councilmember Carmody left the meeting at 7:59 p.m. 08/19/96 -2- Councilmember Carmody returned to the meeting at 8:02 p.m. Discussion ensued regarding perception concerns and how they might be diminished/avoided. The City Manager distributed a draft of budget comparisons to Council and provided clarification where needed. The City Manager highlighted an attempt to make the budget more user friendly and easy to understand by all. Councilmember Carmody inquired how benchmarks will be used. The City Manager responded use of benchmarks is a main reason to have a methodology development in order to do comparisons. Councilmember Nichols expressed concerns about perceptions the media may communicate to citizens using examples provided. The Director of Finance indicated examples can be given using the 1996 budget while applying the benchmarks methodology. Councilmember Carmody encouraged the City Manager and Finance Director to clarify where money is coming from, etc. when providing the media/residents with examples. Mayor Kragness agreed. She also indicated there is bound to be at least a few people who do not understand and will respond negatively. Councilmember Hilstrom commented a bar graph chart done during last year's budget preparation was helpful in providing a good visual explanation of budgeted money related issues. She inquired how many dollars -worth of street improvement projects have been done in the past. Dollar amounts are as follows: 1994 -95, $1 million; 1996, just over $2 million. Councilmember Hilstrom indicated residents want to know what they are getting for their money in relation to a tax increase. The City Manager indicated half of the proposed tax increase, of approximately $247,000, would be for salaries and the balance would be for street improvements. The City Manager also talked about scenarios of potential monies in the Contingency Fund. General, but yet specific information will be provided for review and will include debt service. The work on the budget is geared toward shifting from the use of bonds for street improvements to a cash basis. A four percent preliminary levy was decided upon for now. Council Auditing and costs associated with Commissions will be placed under Council. Police Discussion ensued around promotions and status of union employees. Fire Issues relating to maintaining a competitive compensation for staff in comparison to surrounding communities were discussed. The City Manager will provide further information to Council prior to their decision on a final budget. Central Garage Clarification about "mobile equipment" listed on page 18 was provided. A budgeted amount of $7,560 was broken down as follows: five ergonomically correct seats for squad cars; and light bars. 08/19/96 _;_ MDT units and their respective status were discussed. Councilmember Nichols questioned if the City has explored utilizing the GSA (government surplus) as a resource for future vehicle /equipment purchases. The City Manager and/or Finance Director will explore this as a future option. Status of the City's smart trailer was questioned; whether it has been rented out. If so, how much revenue has this generated? Other Categories The following budget categories were briefly reviewed: Parks; Recreation; Community Center; Pool; and Youth. Social Service Requests The City Manager distributed three -ring binders titled, "Social Service Requests 1997" to Council members. The meeting was recessed at 9:30 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 9:45 p.m. Youth Programs The youth hockey program was discussed. Concern was expressed about equal funding treatment as compared to programs typical of participation by girls. Project Peace It appears Brooklyn Center paid a large portion of fees last year compared to other communities. Non -Profit Status Councilmember Mann questioned the current status on each entity classified as such. It appears some of the programs have lapsed on their non - profit status. Decisions on Social Service Funding The City Manager asked the Council how they wished to review requests. The Council determined for social services funding each program will be asked to appear before Council regarding requested monies. Fifteen minutes will be allotted to each program for a question/answer session on one of two dates: Monday, September 23rd at 5:30 p.m.; Monday, September 30th at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall. Questions posed by Council will relate to description overviews already submitted by each program. General Fund Budaetin2 - Contra CharQes/Enterprise Funds The City Manager gave examples of enterprise funds and how the revised budgeting process including contra charges might be presented for better explanation/description (i.e. Earle's). It was the Council's consensus that revision of the budget presentation should continue to more clearly state the sources of revenue and cost in each of the funds, including the enterprise funds. 08/19/96 -4- Councilmember Carmody questioned how sick leave and vacation are accounted for in the budget. The Finance Director and City Manager advised that the full salary was shown in the budget and then sick leave or vacation used would be charged during the year. Substation There have been difficulties /problems with volunteers quitting because of the program's changing status. Part of this has been due in part to personnel changes. 69th & Brooklyn Boulevard Councilmembers expressed concern about recent passage of a special use permit for the Phillips 66 gas station, and that this type of business is not in line with proposed redevelopment plans in the area as well as creation of safety issues. The City Manager suggested approaching this type of issue in the updating of the Comprehensive Plan would be an appropriate way and would provide for a proactive approach. Miscellaneous Ramifications of paying off the liquor fund loan were discussed. Mayor Kragness questioned status of the license for occupancy at Minnesota Muscle. This will be investigated. Mayor Kragness inquired about future plans for the City -owned garage on 63rd. The City Manager indicated this will be addressed when plans for the Fire Station are developed. ADJOURNMENT A motion by Councilmember Hilstrom and seconded by Councilmember Carmody to adjourn the meeting at 10:58 p.m. passed unanimously. "�v'YLc�6�vC. City Clerk Ma or Recorded and transcribed by: Connie Beckman TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial 08/19/96 -5- i