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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995 09-06 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 SEPTEMBER 6, 1995 CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council met in special work session and was called to order by Mayor Pro tem Mayor Kristen Mann at 7 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor Myrna Kragness (arrived at 7:45 p.m.), Councilmembers Kathleen Carmody, Debra Hilstrom, and Kristen Mann. Also present were Interim City Manager Cam Andre, Director of Finance Director Charlie Hansen, Director of Community Development Brad Hoffman, Financial Commissioners Ned Storla, Jay Hruska, Donn H. Escher, and Lee Anderson, and Council Secretary Debbie Wolfe. Councilmember Barb Kalligher was absent. CONTINUATION OF BUDGET REVIEW Fire Department - 1996 Budget Councilmember Carmody asked if other positions will be reduced. The Finance Director stated if one full -time inspector was added, the staff would be reduced by one part-time inspector position. Councilmember Carmody stated she believes it would be better to use the funds to reduce the number of fire fighters sleeping at the fire station and have the additional inspector to try to reduce the number of fires. She questioned how much would a full -time inspector cost. The Finance Director responded $42,000 which includes benefits. Councilmember Mann asked how the additions would affect the levy Council is attempting to control. The Finance Director stated the 3.9% increase would become a 4.0% increase. He reminded the Council when the preliminary levy is set, it is a ceiling which cannot be raised but could be reduced. Councilmember Mann stated fire and public safety are important but she does not want to raise the levy percentage. Community Development Department - 1996 Budget Councilmember Carmody questioned code enforcement. She stated code enforcement has not improved; however, an extra person is requested. The Finance Director stated the priority was to fill the officer positions and code enforcement fell behind. There is a great potential for 9/6/95 - 1 - improvement. He stated Council may wish to see how much benefit was received from the last person hired before approving another addition. Councilmember Carmody sug the code enforcement officer utilization be looked at. In response to a question by Councilmember Mann, the Interim City Manager stated that approximately 40 percent of the work done by code enforcement is exclusively for code enforcement. Councilmember Carmody suggested the Police Chief review and make suggestions to Council in 30 days. Emergency Preparedness - 1996 Budget Councilmember Mann asked what the encoder /decoder was. The Finance Director stated the m 1 Emergency Br adcast S s ste al allows the Dispatch Center to receive broadcasts from the o Y P stem. Y Engineering Department - 1996 Budget No comments from Council. Street Maintenance Department - 1996 Budget Councilmember Hilstrom asked why the street lights were being changed from NSP lights to City -owned lights. The Finance Director stated a different style is desired. Councilmember Hilstrom asked if there would be a budget increase in the future when Brooklyn Boulevard changes. The Finance Director stated construction of new light poles would be part of the Brooklyn Boulevard project cost. Maintenance and upkeep is included in this budget. The City carries the risk itself to cover repairs and damage. The Interim City Manager stated the NSP rate is higher for the NSP poles than for city -owned poles. Councilmember Mann asked if snow and ice control is increased and Councilmember Hilstrom stated there is a $20,000 increase from last year. The Finance Director stated the staff reallocation may have changed to account for some of that. a Councilmember Hilstrom asked if plowing for the liquor store and farm are included. The P b q Finance Director stated there is $1,000 per year for the liquor store and the farm is under contract. Social Services - 1996 Budget Councilmember Mann asked if there was any duplication of County services included. The Interim City Manager stated he does not believe there is any duplication and added the City transportation program supplements the Met Council services. Recreation Administration Department - 1996 Budget 9/6/95 - 2 - I Councilmember Hilstrom questioned who directs the activities of this department. The Finance Director stated the Director of Public Services with the Recreation Director handling the day -to- day services. Councilmember Hilstrom noted none of the Director of Public Services salary is included in the Recreation budget. The Finance Director stated no percentage of time spent on recreation was submitted. Councilmember Hilstrom noted the programs should be made self supporting or the statement in the budget stating such should be removed. The Finance Director stated the Recreation Department has internal guidelines and they attempt to make them cover as much cost as possible. The adult programs pay more of the costs based on their ability to pay more. Councilmember Hilstrom questioned on page 104 "transportation for City - sponsored clubs, grocery and mall shopping, and special events" and whether this wasn't a duplication of the Met Council Transportation Program. Councilmember Mann asked if a senior citizen has to pay for a trip to the grocery store. Councilmember Carmody stated the fee is subsidized by the participants. Councilmember Mann suggested the City look at charging non - residents more for programs. The Interim City Manager stated for the youth programs it is difficult to determine residency. It can be easier done for the adult programs. Councilmember Mann suggested it be discussed by the Council at an upcoming meeting. Teen Recreation Department - 1996 Budget Councilmember Hilstrom asked if the Teen Recreation Department is a duplication of what the schools should be doing. The Finance Director stated the City works in cooperation with the schools on programs. Mayor Kragness arrived at 7:45 p.m. Children's Recreation Department - 1996 Budget No comments from Council. Community Center Department - 1996 Budget Councilmember Hilstrom stated the water slide was supposed to make money and questioned the status and projections for earnings. The Finance Director stated the original projections were optimistic. Last year, the slide generated enough additional revenues to pay for the operation of the slide and maintenance but not pay for the construction or other costs. Councilmember Hilstrom stated the pool budget increases every year and questioned what can be done. The Finance Director stated the other cities do not seem to be doing much better. The private health clubs have taken some of the business. 9/6/95 - 3 - Councilmember Hilstrom stated other cities advertise their pools more than Brooklyn Center does and she sees the possibility of losing more revenues. Councilmember Hilstrom stated she believes the City should at least break even on concessions. Mayor Kragness stated concessions are needed to make the pool operational. The service needs to be offered to the patrons of the pool. Councilmember Carmody agreed the concessions should at least break even. Financial Commissioner Storla suggested the Council consider a private party leasing the space or using vending machines. Councilmember Carmody suggested the Recreation Department consider these options also in their research. Councilmember Hilstrom asked why no staff time is allocated for merchandise sales. She stated this is another area that should break even. The Finance Director agreed some staff time should be included. Councilmember Hilstrom asked why arts and crafts classes are not included in the Recreation Department budget. She believes the City should also break even from these classes. The question was raised regarding the rental fees for Constitutional Hall. The Finance Director stated the City does not pay for rental but does not use the facility if another paying renter has it reserved. Financial Commissioner Storla suggested the option of leasing the Civic Center be brought to b the voters. Councilmember Hilstrom stated the Council needs to decide how they want to handle the City Center. Financial Commissioner Storla stated the Council needs to determine the worth of the City Center to the City. Mayor Kragness suggested the Council meet with Mr. Mavis to review. Councilmember Hilstrom stated the Council needs to determine when a critical point is reached. Parks Maintenance Department - 1996 Budget Councilmember Hilstrom asked how many ice /hockey rinks are covered by the budget. The Finance Director stated four ice rinks and four hockey rinks. Councilmember Hilstrom asked if the use of the rinks is increasing. The Finance Director stated the usage changes but it is difficult to move rinks to other locations in the City. Mayor Kragness stated she believes the hockey rink usage is increasing. The Interim City Manager suggested an estimated participation rate by rink be obtained. Councilmember Mann asked if North Court Tennis Court would be closed again this year. The Finance Director stated there is no request for resurfacing the court this year. 9/6/95 -4- Councilmember Hilstrom asked if the City is looking at the big picture concerning park maintenance. She believes the maintenance of the City parks is a priority for the City and suggested a plan be made to improve at least one park per year. The Finance Director stated the City is attempting to do that already. Councilmember Hilstrom stated she would like to see a comprehensive plan for the parks. The Interim City Manager stated the parks will be included in the City's Comprehensive Plan. Financial Commissioner Storla stated the equipment in the parks should be kept at least operable. The Finance Director stated a survey is being done and should be completed in October. Councilmember Hilstrom stated the City cannot wait for a bond referendum to pass before improving the parks. The Finance Director stated there are seven parks maintenance personnel who are also utilized in the street maintenance department when needed. Councilmember Hilstrom stated parks and streets should be a priority for the City. Councilmember Carmody noted the objectives shown by some of the Departments do not list goals. She suggested staff work on the task of writing objectives. Financial Commissioner Storla stated the Council needs to set some of the objectives. Councilmember Carmody stated she wants to put the responsibility in the departments for writing their objectives. Financial Commissioner Escher suggested next year the City staff receive management by objectives training prior to this process beginning. Councilmember Hilstrom suggested the volunteer commissions work on goals for the departments. Financial Commissioner Escher recommended the parks commission work with the parks department on the parks department budget. Financial Commissioner getting in es t d na ssion r Anderson asked if the City has pursued businesses o e o t Y P equipment for the parks. Mayor Kragness suggested the Parks and Recreation Commission write letters asking for donations. Some private citizens may wish to donate money for such a cause. The Finance Director stated the City needs to be careful about doing this as the code of ethics may be in jeopardy. The businesses who may donate to the City may very well come before the Council asking for some Council action. Councilmember Hilstrom suggested the staff look at the program Brooklyn Park uses for donations. 'Financial Commissioner Storla suggested such a program be citizen initiated. The Finance Director reminded the Council on Monday, at the Council meeting, they need to determine the preliminary tax levy since Hennepin County needs the amount by Friday. Convention & Tourism Bureau - 1996 Budget Mayor Kragness asked if the other cities are contributing the same amount as Brooklyn Center. The Finance Director stated the City collects the tax proceeds from the operators (6 %) and forwards 95 % of the first three percent to the North Metro Convention and Tourism Bureau for 9/6/95 - 5 - marketing and promotion of the City. The City also retains 5 % of the first 3 % to reimburse itself for the cost of administering the program. Since Brooklyn Center has more hotels /motels than the other communities, its amount is higher. Councilmember Carmody asked how the City knows it is receiving a benefit from this service. The Director of Community Development Hoffman stated the Bureau presents to the Council once a year its activities on behalf of the City. The Council can look at it as an extension of its advertising budget. Councilmember Hilstrom questioned page 141, insurance premiums. The Finance Director stated this is only the insurance for the general fund departments. The rest of the insurance costs are charged to the different activities. Councilmember Mann asked if the City uses one agent or do they shop around. The Finance Director stated the City currently uses one agent and pays $8,000 - $9,000 as a flat fee versus a percentage of premiums which could be $25,000. If the insurance is rebid and given to another agent, the City may lose some of the service it is accustomed to getting. Councilmember Mann stated she would like to look at other agents. Financial Commissioner Storla questioned the benefit of having an agent. The Finance Director stated the agents helps the City get the correct information to make sure all risks are covered. The agent also identifies solutions to problems. The agent shops for the best insurance for the City. General Comments Councilmember Hilstrom asked what the effect on the budget would be if $65,000 were added for the fire inspector. The Finance Director stated it would go from a 3.9% increase to a 4.9 % increase. She asked what the trend has been for amount of budget each year. The Finance Director stated for the past several years, the City has been levying the maximum amount possible. He recommended the maximum be levied this year also. Councilmember Hilstrom questioned for TIF what percentage is residential and commercial. nt (commercial), % residential and 5 % special The Finance Director stated 58% redevelopme ( ), p projects (commercial /industrial). The Director of Community Development stated the mix of projects changes from year to year. The Finance Director stated any EDA excess funds go into the EDA fund balance. Councilmember Carmody stated regarding the general levy she would prefer to have the fire inspector and increase the budget $30,000. Councilmember Hilstrom stated her priorities are parks and streets. Councilmember Carmody asked which is more important. Mayor Kragness stated she would like to see a priority in the parks, education and recreation programs, fire and police protection. 9/6/95 6 - Councilmember Mann stated it is difficult to provide the same services for the same money. Councilmember Hilstrom suggested the Council address the issues. The budget does not fix problems the City already has. Councilmember Carmody stated the police building is a higher priority for her at this time. Financial Commissioner Escher suggested after the Truth in Taxation Hearings are held, the Council start planning for next year's goals and objectives and priorities. Councilmember Mann suggested a public information meeting be held to get resident input. She does not believe a lot of residents would consider parks a basic public service and does not want to see the budget raised more than 3.91 %. I Councilmember Hilstrom stated the Council priorities should be set according to the findings of the Comprehensive Plan. Councilmember Hilstrom requested staff update a chart titled "General Fund Selected Balances" before she commits to a percentage. The Finance Director stated he will provide the updated information at the Council Meeting and to the Financial Commission on September 14. He will prepare draft resolutions for Council approval of the preliminary levy. ADJOURNMENT The motion by Councilmember Carmody and seconded by Councilmember Hilstrom to adjourn the meeting passed unanimously. The Brooklyn Center City Council adjourned at 9:45 p.m. Deputi City Clerk a Mayor Recorded and transcribed by: Debbie Wolfe TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial 9/6/95 -7-