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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991 11-25 CCM Special 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 SESSION NOVEMBER 25, 1991 CITY HALL I � CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council met for a scheduled public hearing on Truth in Taxation, followed by a City Council session, and was called to order by Mayor Todd Paulson at 7:10 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor Todd Paulson, Councilmembers Celia Scott and Jerry Pedlar. Councilmember Philip Cohen arrived at 7:30 p.m. Also present were City Manager Gerald Splinter, Finance Director Paul Holmlund, City Attorney Charlie LeFevere, EDA Coordinator Brad Hoffman, Assistant Finance Director Charlie Hansen, City Assessor Mark Parish, Judith Bergeland, EBHC Manger, Staff Accountant Tim Johnson, and Council Secretary Ann Odden. Councilmember Dave Rosene was absent. OPENING CEREMONIES Mayor Paulson asked those present to observe a moment of silence for personal reflection. PUBLIC HEARING PROPOSED 1992 GENERAL FUND BUDGET Mayor Paulson opened the meeting for the purpose of a Truth in Taxation public hearing on the City's 1992 proposed budget at 7:15 p.m. The Finance Director presented details of the proposed budget for the benefit of the audience, noting the total budget was approximately $11.8 million, which was a 1.1% --increase over the 1991 budget. The portion of the budget making up the general fund was $11 million, which was a 0.1% decrease compared to 1991. The portion of the budget making up the debt redemption fund was $0.8 million, which was a 20.9% increase compared to 1991. The property tax net levy was proposed to be $4.9 million which was a 7.6% increase over 1991. He indicated taxes were going up even though the budget for most programs was held, because of the loss of Local Government Aids (LGA). There was a 15.75% decrease anticipated in LGAs for 1992. 11/25/91 - 1 - The Finance Director noted the 1992 City property tax increase for the average home in Brooklyn Center was estimated to be 4.9 %, or $7.34. Budget goals included maintaining as many of the current service levels as possible through budget reductions, exploring new revenue sources to replace loss of LGAs and taxing to the levy property tax limit. Key points of the budget included borrowing funds for capital equipment purchases, eliminating five full -time staff positions, limiting the reforestation program, and providing for salary adjustments through unallocated departmental expenses. Council's proposed changes to the preliminary budget included restoring the canine program, restoring the aquatics supervisor position, eliminating one supervisor of streets and parks maintenance position, restoring mediation services request, reducing Peacemaker Center request, and reserving funds in the contingency account for a Communications position. oun it C c member Cohen uestioned h h i Director w ether t e F Finance had discussed whether q scusse w et r e Brooklyn Center had seen a transfer in commercial value to residential value, as was the case in the city of Minneapolis. The Finance Director indicated he had mentioned this briefly prior to Councilmember Cohen's arrival. Following the Finance Director's presentation, Mayor Paulson inquired if there was anyone present who wished to address the Council. The City Manager noted written comments had been received from the following persons and requested they become part of the official record: Delphine Heath, 5643 Knox Avenue No.; William St. Germaine, 5907 Aldrich Avenue No.; Doug & Karen Lauen; The Early Childhood Family Education Center at 5900 Humboldt Avenue No.; Karri K. Hermanson; and Jeff Lingle. Following the noting of the letters for the record, public input began at 7:50 p.m. Chuck Lemke, 7007 Irving Avenue, felt the services residents received for approximately $13 per month were a good value. He was pleased with the quality of the community, and felt it was well- maintained. He questioned whether the Financial Task Force, which had been recommended the previous year, had ever been formed, and if so, what had been the result. Mayor Paulson responded the Financial Task Force, initiated by Councilmember Pedlar, who acted as the liaison had indeed been formed, and had been active during the year. There were a number of Commission members present in the audience, and Councilmember Pedlar introduced them to the audience. i 11/25/91 -2- Chairperson Dennis Kelly indicated it was the goal of the Task Force to prepare a priority list for the Council's review and hoped to complete this process by February, 1992. The Task Force felt the City's budget- setting process was well- organized and its present financial position was good. They wished to explore further the City's use of fund balances, and reserve funds, and felt this was a potential area of concern. They felt a comprehensive financial management plan was needed, and hoped to complete evaluations in time to influence the budget- setting process for the next year. Mayor Paulson thanked Mr. Kelly for his report and Councilmember Scott suggested a joint workshop between the Task Force and the Council be scheduled at a future date. Councilmember Cohen asked Mr. Kelly for further comment in regard to the City's use of reserve funds, and to explain why he felt this was a dangerous pitfall. Mr. Kelly commented that the few instances where the Task Force had noted use of reserve funds, there appeared to be sound reason for its use, but they wanted to make this point to ensure this did not become an increasing trend in the future. Henrietta Krip, 3106 O'Henry Road, was an advocate for the domestic abuse program, and urged the Councilmembers to consider restoring funding. She felt the program was very worthwhile and saved the police department time in such cases. She was aware that the Council had proposed continuing the program on a more limited basis, and through contracting for the work. She felt the program would suffer a decrease in effectiveness if this took place, as she did not believe an outside group could perform the work as effectively as residents. Mary Magnuson, supervisor of Hennepin County Family and Children Services, was present and also supported continuing the present domestic abuse program, which she felt was very effective. She felt the program was unique and something in which the City should take pride. Councilmember Cohen questioned whether or not the Hennepin County program worked in conjunction with other counties. Ms. Magnuson indicated that while they worked with other counties, they did not specifically perform services for other counties. I I I Nancy indicated she was a victim of domestic abuse who had been helped by the program. Polly was also a victim of abuse who had benefitted from the existing program. Both advocated the program be continued in its present status. Mary Griffith, supervisor for abuse at the Hennepin County Family Court Services indicated the cities of Brooklyn Center and Brooklyn Park were high on her priority list because of the high incidence of violence per capita. She indicated she had observed the program currently in use, and it was well- respected. She felt the City would have a difficult time contracting the work as effectively. 11/25/91 -3- John Braun, director of The Counseling Clinic, indicated he worked with male perpetrators of violence. The program was seven years old, and he felt it was very good. The program did not financially benefit the clinic for which he worked to any great extent, but he felt the service provided was invaluable. He urged continuation of the current program for domestic abuse. Mayor Paulson thanked the proponents of the existing program for their comments, and noted there was no disagreement that a domestic abuse program was needed and was a high priority. He felt it was a good program with great volunteers, which saved dollars and lives. In regard to the budget, he indicated the Council was not trying to make the program less effective, but was trying to determine the best way to achieve a cost - effective solution. Ulysses Boyd, 4807 Azelia Avenue, and a member of the Financial Task Force, felt the City should continue to offer as many services as possible to residents. He felt citizens should be willing to pay for a good quality of life. He felt no cuts should be made, staff positions should not be reduced, and more public safety officers should be added. He suggested increasing every resident's property tax by $1.50 to provide the funding for this. He felt this would not unduly burden any one person and would be an equitable approach. Dan Remiarz, 6201 June Avenue, questioned the budgetary increase for professional services. The City Manager indicated that category provided for contracted legal services of various types, which was not considered a discretionary item. He offered to provide Mr. Rameras with a listing of the services provided and the fees for each. Mrs. Marie Nyquist, questioned why the budget included a proposal to cut certain staff positions and fund new ones. In particular, she questioned funding set aside for a Communications position in 1992. She also objected to cutting the domestic abuse program. Councilmember Pedlar responded that the funding set aside for the possibility of adding a Communications position had been placed in the contingency fund, and was therefore not competing directly against other staff jobs or the domestic abuse program. The dollars allocated were for necessary equipment, and not just salary. Councilmember Cohen indicated it was difficult to weigh the worth of one staff position directly against another. The communication issue had been an outgrowth of a communication audit performed by the City. The Communication Commission was due to review the matter and provide a recommendation on the matter. Councilmember Scott concurred with the remarks of Councilmember Cohen. Pat Boran, 7001 Dallas Road, and a member of the Financial Task Force, was impressed with the staff report on the budget, and felt the continued involvement of the Task Force would be helpful to the City in years to come. 11/25/91 -4- Mr. Boyd spoke again to request Council consideration of his suggestion that $1.50 be added to each property tax bill to fund services. He questioned what could be accomplished with that amount. The City Manager indicated while that amount would fund a great deal, unfortunately, the City was not in a position to consider such an increase. He explained the State Legislature regulated levy limits, and the City was not allowed to tax beyond that amount. Ron Christianson, 6101 June Avenue, and a Financial Task Force member, urged the Council to adopt the budget as presented. He felt it represented a compromise between retaining services and cutting services. RECESS The Brooklyn Center City Council recessed at 8:35 p.m. and reconvened at 8:55 p.m. Following the recess, there were no other members of the public who wished to address the Council, and the Council agreed to discuss the budget, but to leave the public hearing open until deliberations were finished. In regard to the domestic abuse program, Councilmember Cohen commented if the budget as proposed were adopted, the program would see a gap in service until the contractual services could become functional. He felt it was important to have a program that worked well, and felt cooperation and collaboration with programs in other communities might be the most cost - effective way to accomplish this. He felt tying together housing and human service issues should be considered. Because the City program appeared to be working well, he felt jointly funding the program in cooperation with other communities might benefit all concerned. He noted if the program was kept exactly as it was, it would likely grow and require additional funding each year, which the City was not in a position to provide. He felt it was important to explore long - term options for continuing the best program possible. Councilmember Cohen suggested the Council consider continuing funding for the current ro ram for six months, o the and using that i p t t me to stud the issue g g y ,attempt to get cooperation with other communities, and actively pursue additional funding, including cooperative funding and grants, to make a smooth transition. He felt this was a reasonable way to balance the fiscal side of the issue with human responsibility. Councilmember Pedlar concurred that this was a sound suggestion. He requested information be gathered on the service levels of the current program versus the proposed contractual program. 11/25/91 -5 - In regard to the issue of whether a contractual program could offer the same services as the existing program, the City Manager indicated expectations could be clearly stated and goals listed which would need to be accomplished to ensure that service levels would not suffer if that option were chosen. Councilmember Cohen questioned the financial impact on the budget of continuing the present program for six months. The City Manager indicated the cost would be approximately $17,000. Councilmember Cohen suggested advocates of the program who had spoken at the meeting now had an opportunity to become involved in exploring funding and helping to achieve a long -term solution. Councilmember Scott suggested information be gathered on the response time of the current domestic abuse program versus a contractual one. She felt this was a crucial factor. There was a motion by Councilmember Cohen and seconded by Councilmember Scott to continue the current domestic abuse program for six months, and fund $17,000 as recommended by staff for the purpose of developing an additional source of funding and /or make the decision to use contractual services, with a staff report to be submitted by March 1, 1992. The motion passed unanimously. Councilmember Pedlar addressed the issue of potential reorganization of the police department, as the Police Chief was scheduled to retire mid -year. He suggested any reorganization take place at that time. The Councilmembers concurred with this suggestion. Mayor Paulson questioned the status of unallocated expenses, and the City Manager responded those were scheduled to be reviewed at the December 16, 1991, Council meeting. He felt that staff would have an estimate by early December. Mayor Paulson questioned what changes the Council could make to unallocated expenses after the budget was adopted. The City Manager responded the Council would have total access. RESOLUTION NO. 91 -269 Member Celia Scott introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE A FINAL TAX LEVY FOR 1992 BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by member Jerry Pedlar, and the motion passed unanimously. 11/25/91 -6- RESOLUTION NO. 91 -270 Member Philip Cohen introduced the following resolution (as amended) and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE 1992 FINAL BUDGET The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by member Celia Scott, and the motion passed unanimously. There was a motion by Councilmember Pedlar and seconded by Councilmember Scott to close the public hearing at 9:20 p.m. The Councilmembers discussed the schedule of the meeting planned for the first week of December. There was a motion by Councilmember Cohen and seconded by Councilmember Scott changing the meeting of the Brooklyn Center City Council from Wednesday, December 4, 1991, to Monday, December 2, 1991. The motion passed unanimously. Councilmember Pedlar abstained. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Councilmember Pedlar, and seconded by Councilmember Scott to adjourn the meeting. The motion assed unanimously. The Brooklyn Center City Council P Y Y tY adjourned at 9:21 p.m. Deputy City Clerk Todd Paulson, Mayor Recorded and transcribed by: Ann J. Odden Northern Counties Secretarial Service i 11/25/91 -7-