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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995 01-30 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 JANUARY 30, 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 Myrna Kragness at 7:15 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor Myrna Kragness, Councilmembers Barb Kalligher, Kristen Mann, Debra Hilstrom, and Kathleen Carmody. Also present were City Manager Gerald Splinter, Finance Director Charlie Hansen, City Attorney Charlie LeFevere, Robert Thistle, Vice President of Springsted, Inc., Clifford Hoffman, Jr. Partner at Deloitte and Touche, and Council Secretary Barbara Collman. DISCUSSION There was a discussion between members of the Council and the City Attorney regarding the Open Meeting law. RESOLUTION The City Manager presented a resolution declaring cost to be assessed and providing for hearing on proposed assessments for Improvement Project No. 1994 -03, 57th Avenue street improvement. The passing of the resolution sets a public hearing for the matter on February 27, 1995. RESOLUTION NO. 95 -39 Member Kristen Mann introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION DECLARING COST TO BE ASSESSED AND PROVIDING FOR HEARING ON PROPOSED ASSESSMENTS FOR IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. 1994 -03, 57TH AVENUE STREET IMPROVEMENT The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by member Barb Kalligher, and the motion passed unanimously. 1/30/95 - 1 - PRESENTATIONS SPRINGSTED. INC. A representative of Springsted, Inc. made a presentation on "Municipal Bond Essentials." He reviewed the written materials provided to the Council. There was an explanation made regarding the rating agencies consulted by investors and the factors affecting the ratings. Brooklyn Center has an Al rating with Moody's Investors Service. A capital improvement plan is a critical consideration of rating agencies, and Brooklyn Center has an excellent plan. The plan demonstrates if a community is well - managed and we are judged if there is a plan in place, and if the plan is being carried out. In Minnesota, cities are entitled to borrow two percent of the assessed market value. Brooklyn Center is eligible for approximately $19 million this year. The representative also discussed financing methods and types of municipal debt. He stated he would present information on bonding processes in the future as bonds are issued. Springsted, Inc. was involved in approximately 400 bond issues in Minnesota last year. Councilmember Mann asked whether the upcoming Brooklyn Center bond issue would be tax exempt. The City Manager said it will be a tax- exempt, general obligation bond with the possibility of very few items carrying special assessments. DELOITTE & TOUCHE Cliff Hoffman, an auditor with Deloitte & Touche, reviewed a report called "Selected Financial Information, December 31, 1993." According to the 1990 Commission on Reform and Efficiency study, Brooklyn Center is near basic on expenditures. The City is well run from a financing standpoint, based on the measurement of meeting the budget. Brooklyn Center is doing a good job of aggressively charging for services. Also, the City's expenditures are not growing faster than inflation per household. The fund balances are adequate but not excessive. A strong factor in Brooklyn Center's stability is that it charges today's taxpayers for today's services. Also, there is a written long -term financial plan in place. The City Auditor also noted Brooklyn Center's budget is very straightforward. The City Auditor discussed expenditures at the local and federal levels. The amount of money spent per student per year for education is now below average in Minnesota. Since education is paramount to other parts of the economy, this is a dangerous situation. Services and programs are the areas to look at for reducing expenditures. 1/30/95 -2- I There will be a future presentation of the audit report at a City Council meeting along with a discussion of its relation to the bond issue. The City Manager noted the preliminary work of prioritizing the bond issue has been done and he will furnish copies to councilmembers within the next 30 to 60 days. The City Auditor commented councilmembers need to ask questions and consider comparisons, but not "micromanage." The City Manager explained a monthly budget report is produced but readers need to be aware it has peaks and valleys due to the income coming in unevenly and seasonal factors effect expenditures also. In conclusion, the City Auditor said the City has many things in its favor financially. The City knows short -term solutions are not an answer and believes in balancing the budget validly rather than using gimmicks. He repeated the key is paying for today's services with today's tax dollars. The City has a good future and the capacity to make improvements. DISCUSSION FUNDING FOR BROOKLYN COMMUNITY BAND The City Manager explained there has been a history of the City Council cutting funding for the Brooklyn Community Band from the budget and then, when approached later, appropriating the funds from the contingency fund. The City Manager suggested the Council make a permanent decision concerning funding of $2,250, and then add it to the next budget or refuse it when asked. i Councilmember Carmody commented there was an appropriation in the Recreation budget for $5,000. She questioned the allotment of the $5,000. The City Manager said $4,000 covered two items and the other $1,000 was extra. He explained the area of the budget called Youth Activities. i Councilmember Mann noted the Park and Recreation Commission does want to fund the band but does not feel the funding should fall under Youth Activities. She said the band i promotes goodwill, which contributes to the City's image campaign. There was a discussion of contractual services. A representative of the Brooklyn Community Band explained of the fourteen concerts the band presented last year, five were in Brooklyn Center. There is no active campaign for new members, just an announcement at concerts. Fourteen of the fifty-four band members are from Brooklyn Center. 1/30/95 - 3 - There was a discussion concerning the band's instruments. Brooklyn Center owns the larger instruments; They were originally donated to Brooklyn Center so that the City could insure them. The City's Park and Recreation employees are responsible for transporting the instruments, at a cost of $2,250 for overtime. The total band budget includes general expenses and a $3,300 per year director's salary. Councilmember Kalligher commented leaders of other youth programs are not paid. Mayor Kragness said the band is important to Brooklyn Center as a goodwill ambassador which fits the image campaign. Brooklyn Center has served as the fiscal agent for the band. The band representative stated a financial statement has not been made available to him. The $2,250 requested for funding this year includes insurance and upkeep of the instruments. Councilmember Kalligher stated she is supportive of the band but not at the expense of the City's youth programs. She commented there are young people who must do fundraising for their programs. She stated the Council should hear the requests for funding youth programs as well. Mayor Kragness agreed. Councilmember Hilstrom noted she would support funding the band but suggested there be an invitation in the City's newspaper for citizens to join the band. Students should also be encouraged to join the band. The decision was made to have the current funding put on the next meeting's consent agenda for approval. Future budgets will also include band funding. IMAGE CAMPAIGN Communications Coordinator Terri Swanson presented an outline of Brooklyn Center's Image Campaign. The image campaign is not an official City movement, but this outline is a first attempt to reduce it to paper. The task force will be asking on February 13 for permission to begin spending the $25,000 allocated for the image campaign. The task force will be approaching businesses asking them to match the funding, but the task force believes the businesses will be reluctant to do so without seeing some evidence of the campaign in force. The Communications Coordinator suggested a public relations firm might be hired to help with the image campaign. Mayor Kragness stated three public relations firms are already involved with the City, so they will be considered for this purpose. This would save time and expense in researching the firms. 1/30/95 -4- The Communications Coordinator would continue to coordinate the efforts of all involved groups, but a public relations firm would have influential contacts with the larger metropolitan media which the City does not currently have. In general a public relations firm would bring different, additional advantages to the effort than she can provide. The City Council will be involved in many elements of the process of the image campaign this year. For example, a change in the City's logo and other visual elements may be considered. Councilmember Hilstrom stated citizens have commented they believe the Council should address the issues that have caused the bad public relations. The City Manager commented the major elements are in place but there is a need for prioritization and professional assistance. On February 13, the Council will be asked to approve the general plan and then appoint a Steering Committee to implement it. Councilmember Carmody questioned whether the task force should be separated from the City. That way, recommendations would be coming from a completely citizen group rather than from a mixture of residents and City staff. The City Manager said the task force can be dissolved if that is its desire. The Communications Coordinator stated historically there has been a membership problem with the group and without the City's involvement it is likely the group would fail. The City Manager agreed there have not been enough citizens with enough enthusiasm to carry the task force. The Communications Coordinator suggested applications be taken and a Steering Committee be formed. The Committee would consist of people from all sectors, enabling the City to remain separate and others to be involved. Councilmember Carmody said nothing concrete came out of the last meeting of the task force. The sub - committees don't appear to know what to do. A core group is needed so that work is not duplicated. M ayor Ma Y g Kra ness asked whether the first step might be obtaining public relations firm. The P g g a P City Manager said the task force would be recommending a public relations firm for the Council's approval. The Communications Coordinator suggested applications be accepted for a governing board but that, for the time being, the Council officially allocate money since it is, at this point, City money. The Council agreed. 1/30/95 -5 - Councilmember Mann asked how much of the $25,000 will be paid to a consultant. The Communications Coordinator noted Brooklyn Park spends $2,000 per month on an ongoing basis, but Brooklyn Center would use a different approach. It was explained the Brooklyn Park campaign, "Come Home to The Park" is in its second year. It is unknown whether costs have increased. Councilmember Mann asked whether the EDA would have funds to contribute. The City Manager said it could budget funding. Councilmember Mann asked about the 1996 budget. The City Manager said an evaluation must be made as a part of the 1996 budget process. He said specific recommendations will be brought at the February 13 meeting. The City Manager suggested a combination of ideas from BRW and the public relations firm might be used. OTHER BUSINESS Councilmember Hilstrom requested the category of Other Business be added to the end of work session agendas. The City Manager agreed. Councilmember Carmody reported on a conference she attended presented by the League of Minnesota Cities. She added the image campaign is important because there is a prevalence of misinformation about Brooklyn Center. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Councilmember Hilstrom and seconded by Councilmember Carmody to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The Brooklyn Center City Council adjourned at 9:48 p.m. v�yNl� Deputy City Clerk Mayor Recorded and transcribed by: Barbara Collman TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial 1/30/95 -6-