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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989 09-21 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 SEPTEMBER 21, 1989 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council met in special session and was called to order by Mayor Dean Nyquist at 7:03 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor Dean Nyquist, Councilmembers Celia Scott, Todd Paulson, Jerry Pedlar, and Philip Cohen. Also present were City Manager Gerald Splinter, Assistant Finance Director Charlie Hansen, and Administrative Aide Patti Page. PUBLIC HEARING Mayor Nyquist reconvened the public hearing on the 1990 annual City Budget. Councilmembers began review of the 1990 projected revenues for the City. A brief discussion then ensued regarding the projected revenues. Mayor Nyquist proceeded with the review of the Appropriation's Budget and began with the City Council Budget, Unit No. 11. Councilmember Cohen stated he would like to remove the membership fee for the League of Minnesota Cities to allow for further discussion. He stated he would like the Finance Director to calculate the amount of money hat should have on Y gone to the city instead of paying the institutional fee. He added he would also like the Council to discuss rescinding the League of Minnesota Cities' authority to raise dues at a future meeting. The City Council next reviewed the Charter Commission Budget, Unit No. 12. The Council had no questions at this time. The Council proceeded to review the City Manager's Office Budget, Unit No. 13. The Council had no questions at this time. The Council next reviewed the Elections and Voters Registration Budget, Unit No. 14. The City Manager noted the budget for 1990 is higher than 1989 because an election is not being held in 1989. Councilmember Cohen stated he would like staff to review the set -up of the tables and booths at precinct No. 1. The Council went on to review the Assessing Department Budget, Unit No. 15. Councilmember Cohen stated he had some questions regarding the use of the County Assessor. He inquired if the City should explore the County approach or would it raise the County taxes. He inquired if the City should seek an exemption from the levy limits because they are doing work mandated by the State. The Council then reviewed the Finance Department Budget, Unit No. 16. A brief discussion then ensued pertaining to the addition of an MIS Coordinator within this department. 9/21/89 -1- I The Council proceeded to review the Independent Audit Budget, Unit No. 17. The Council had no questions at this time. The Council then reviewed the Legal Counsel Budget, Unit No. 18. The City Manager noted an annual fee of $100,000 has been negotiated for criminal cases and, therefore, the budget can be cut $12,300. There was a motion by Councilmember Scott and seconded by Councilmember Pedlar to cut $12,300 from the legal services account within Unit No. 18. The motion passed unanimously. Councilmember Paulson questioned the feasibility of hiring an in -house Attorney. The City Manager stated there are many costs involved with hiring an in -house Attorney, such as providing office space, library, secretarial services, etc. He noted the City would still have to go outside to work with specialists in certain fields. The Council proceeded to review the Government Building's Budget, Unit No. 19. The City Manager pointed out the City Council's lights and acoustics have been cut from the budget because the City did receive funding from the Cable Commission for this project. He noted the Cable Commission may be purchasing two vans which would house the equipment so the Cable Commission could televise the City meetings for the City. The City Council next reviewed the Data Processing Budget, Unit No. 20. The City Manager noted the work station which is proposed for the Finance Department would be for the new MIS Coordinator. Councilmember Cohen stated he is not sure where this fits into the budget, but he would like to develop some way of getting information out to the community. A brief discussion then ensued relative to the different ways the community is informed of events and meetings. The City Manager stated if the Council wished, this could be placed as a discussion item at an upcoming meeting. Councilmember Cohen pointed out that not everyone in the City watches the cable channel, reads the PostNews, or looks at the Newsletter. The City Council continued the review of the 1989 Budget by proceeding to the Police Department Budget, Unit No. 31. The City Manager noted a major addition to this budget is one additional officer for the investigation unit. He noted this is necessary because of increased drug enforcement. He then went on to discuss the proposed drug task force. Councilmember Pedlar stated he has some concerns with the addition of an officer and replacement of nonproductive time. The City Manager noted if the Council were to cut the additional officer from the budget, they could cut $40,000 from the total budget. Councilmember Pedlar stated he felt some sort of functional analysis should be completed on the entire Police Department. He stated it may be possible to reallocate responsibilities and decrease the need for an additional officer. The City Manager briefly reviewed the work force currently in the Police Department. Councilmember Scott inquired if the City could earmark any drug forfeiture funds to pay for the additional officer. The City Manager stated he feels it is best to hire personnel and run the affairs of the 9/21/89 -2- City based on a consistent money flow. A discussion then ensued regarding the Police Department Budget and the proposed changes within the department. Councilmember Cohen stated he felt he had no way of making accurate judgments as to what is necessary in the Police Department. He noted he feels the cities are fighting a loosing battle with the drug issue and this could become draining to the City Budget. Councilmember Pedlar stated he did not have any questions pertaining to the Police Department but did have several concerns regarding the police organization and how it works. The City Manager stated he would be happy to sit down with Councilmember Pedlar and review his concerns. The City Council reviewed the Fire Department Budget, Unit No. 32. The City Manager noted because of the responsibilities with the SARA law, there will be a need for more full -time personnel in the future. The City Council went on to review the Planning and Inspection Department Budget, Unit No. 33. The Council had no questions at this time. Next, the Council reviewed the Emergency Preparedness Department Budget, Unit No. 34. The Council had no questions at this time. The Council went on to review the Animal Control Budget, Unit No. 35. The Council had no questions at this time. The Council proceeded to the Engineering Division Budget, Unit No. 41. The Council had no questions at this time. The Council then reviewed the Street Maintenance Budget, Unit No. 42. Councilmember Cohen inquired if the reforestation project was strictly for boulevards. The City Manager stated it was for boulevards and City parks. Councilmember Cohen inquired if it would be possible to utilize the City's quantity buying power to allow citizens lower prices for replacement trees. There was a motion by Councilmember Pedlar and seconded by Councilmember Paulson to continue the public hearing on the 1990 annual City Budget to September 25, 1989. The meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m. �C City Clerk Mayo 9/21/89 -3-