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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987 09-09 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 9, 1987 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council met in special session and was called to order by Mayor Dean Nyquist at 7:10 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor Dean Nyquist, Councilmembers Gene Lhotka, Bill Hawes, and Rich Theis. Also present were City Manager Gerald Splinter, Finance Director Paul Holmlund, and Administrative Aid Patti Page. PUBLIC HEARING Mayor Nyquist reconvened the public hearing on the 1988 annual City Budget. Councilmembers began review of the 1988 revenues for the City. A brief discussion then ensued regarding levy limit adjustments and the possible use of the fund balance in lieu of raising taxes. Councilmember Theis inquired if staff was expecting the liquor store earnings to drop in 1988. The Finance Director stated staff does not believe the liquor store earnings will be down, but there is a need to purchase new cash registers for all three stores. Mayor Nyquist proceeded with the review of the appropriations budget and began with the City Council Budget, Unit No. 11. The City Manager stated he is recommending $9,000 be left in this budget for the senior transportation ro p ram; however, he g stated he believes there may be a better alternative to this program. A brief discussion then ensued regarding other possibilities for a senior transportation program. The City Manager stated he would ould urge the Council to consider raising the Council salaries before they become too far out of balance with other cities. He noted the effective date of these salary increases would not be January 1, 1988, but he would have the City Attorney check to find out the actual effective date. 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 City Manager stated he cut the request for the cable broadcast equipment but noted he had left the requests for other improvements such as sound system improvement and lighting improvements in this year's budget. He noted these two items should be taken care of before the City Council considers broadcasting any type of meetings on cable TV. Councilmember Lhotka stated he does not believe any meetings should be broadcast until the City has a larger viewership. 9 -9 -87 -1- Councilmember Hawes inquired regarding the large salary increase for the Personnel Coordinator. The City Manager noted this salary increase is due to the comparable worth study. He noted the full amount would not actually be given in 1988, and the increase must be staged throughout the four -year period. A discussion then ensued regarding the comparable worth implementation plan and the effects it could have on different department budgets. The Finance Director noted that everyone except twelve people, seven full -time and five part -time, have been taken care of by the 1987 increase. Councilmember Theis stated he felt the 1987 implementation increase and the January 1988 implementation increase were too close together. He stated he was under the impression the 1988 implementation would occur one year after the 1987 increase. The Council next reviewed the Elections and Voter's Registration Budget, Unit No. 14. He noted 1988 would be a presidential election year and the cost has increased over the 1987 budget. Mayor Nyqui.st inquired if the new voting machines would cut the cost per election. The City Manager stated eventually the new voting machines would lower the cost for each election, but since 1988 would be the first year under the new system it will require additional training hours to make sure all the judges are confident and capable to cover all bases for the election. The Council had no questions on the Assessing Department Budget, Unit No. 15. The Council went on to review the Finance Department Budget, Unit No. 16. It was noted there were rather large increases for two positions within the Finance Department Budget. The City Manager stated these were due to g the comparable arable y worth study. The Council proceeded to review the Independent Audit Budget, Unit No. 17. The Finance Director stated he had budgeted an amount which would allow for the City to continue with the present auditors. He stated if the Council did wish to look for a new auditor, an additional $4,000 would be needed. Councilmember Lhotka inquired how many firms could submit a proposal for the Independent Audit. The Finance Director stated there would be approximately six firms who could handle the City's audit. Mayor Nyquist inquired what the advantages would be of switching auditors. Councilmember Theis stated it is generally not a good business practice to stay with the same auditor year after year. By changing auditors periodically, the City would get a different perspective from each firm. Councilmember Lhotka stated he agreed with Councilmember Theis' comments but stated he did not really want to spend the additional money. The City Manager stated the City Council could leave the Independent Audit Budget, Unit No. 17 as is. He stated staff could solicit proposals from interested firms, and if the Council so wished the additional money could be taken from the contingency account to cover a new auditing firm. There was a general consensus among Councilmembers that staff should solicit proposals from auditing firms who have municipal and LOGIS experience. It should be noted to these firms it is the Council's intent to stay with the firm for three ears if a reasonable sonable dollar figure can be agreed upon for years two and three. 9 -9 -87 _2_ Councilmember Scott arrived at 8:05 p.m. The Council then reviewed the Legal Counsel Budget, Unit No. 18. The City Manager stated one reason the budget has increased over 1987 is because the City must now prosecute certain gross misdemeanors which used to be handled by the County Attorney's office. The Council proceeded to review the Government Buildings Budget, Unit No. 19. Councilmember Lhotka inquired what the line item for protection service (object No. 4398) was for. The City Manager noted this item is for monitoring of alarm services such as fire sprinkler systems. Councilmember Lhotka inquired why there was a separate line item for janitorial services. The City Manager stated the City contracts out the cleaning of the police department,.with a private service. He stated in the past, City employees attempted to clean and maintain the police department, but with the police department open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, it was very difficult to fit all the necessary cleaning into the City's employees time. The City Manager went on to review the present number of employees in this department. Councilmember Lhotka left the table at 8:18 p.m. The City Manager continued review of this department budget and briefly outlined some of the building costs which are anticipated for 1988. Councilmember Lhotka returned to the table at 8:20 p.m. Councilmember Theis inquired regarding the lunch room remodeling. The City Manager stated this remodeling proposal surfaced partially because of the OSHA inspections and also because of the need for additional storage space in the kitchen area. The City Council next reviewed the Data Processing Budget, Unit No. 20. Councilmember Theis inquired why there was such a difference in costs for the micro /disk drive equipment outlined for the various departments. The Finance Director stated the micro /disk drive proposed for the community center was actually a complete desk top publishing unit, while the others are basic disk drive units. The Council continued their review of the 1988 budget by proceeding to the Police Department Budget, Unit No. 31. Councilmember Lhotka stated it appears to him that no one in administration is sure of what is actually taking place with the personnel in the police department. He stated he doesn't understand why it takes such a long period of time to discover these discipline problems and other areas of concern. The City Manager stated the problems in the police department have never actually been looked at on a shift to shift basis. He noted there has been an increased amount of activity during the period of midnight to 6 a.m. A discussion then ensued regarding the problem areas within the police department personnel and how this proposed staffing change will eliminate some of these problems. 9 -9 -87 -3- RECESS The Brooklyn Center City Council recessed at 8:40 p.m. and reconvened at 8:55 p.m. Councilmember Theis stated in reviewing the budget it appears Capital Outlay items have been decreased for 1988, but he is very concerned with all the additional personnel being requested. He noted it appears many people will be added who will be working for the City for a number of years to come. The City Manager briefly reviewed the net increases for each department due to added personnel. Councilmember Lhotka stated it seems the City has eliminated a number of positions over the past years but now the trend is going in the opposite direction. The City Manager stated he and the department heads are now finding areas where the City cannot operate efficiently with less personnel. Councilmember Theis inquired which is the biggest problem for the police department, the lack of a third captain or extra clerical personnel. The City Manager stated if Councilmember Theis is asking him to choose between the third captain or the added clerical staff, he would have to consult with the Police Chief on this. He stated he feels there is an equal need for both areas. Councilmember Lhotka inquired if the police department would actually need a captain or if other administrative personnel could handle the position. The City Manager stated staff feels uniformed control is necessary for the dispatching area in the police department. Councilmember Scott noted there has been a large increase in the training budget for the police department. The City Manager stated the department has requested several people be sent to training sessions for specialized areas. Councilmember Theis inquired what the difference was between the legal fees noted in the police department budget and the P actual legal budget itself. � g g The City Manager stated the legal fees 'requested in the police department budget are for expert witness fees, lie detector tests, and interview boards. The City Council reviewed the Fire Department Budget, Unit No. 32. The City Manager noted the major change to this budget is the recommendation to create a full -time fire chief position. Councilmember Lhotka inquired how many cities have a full -time fire chief with a volunteer force. The City Manager noted the City of Brooklyn Center is about the only department of this size who does not have a full -time fire chief. There was a brief discussion regarding the fire fighter's pension. The City Council went on to review the Planning and Inspection Department Budget, Unit No. 33. The City Manager noted a request has been made to upgrade the current part -time clerical position to a full -time receptionist. He noted this department gets the most walk -in traffic of any department in the'City. He stated at this point the part -time position works approximately two - thirds of the day and it is recommended the position be upgraded to a full -time position. Next, the Council reviewed the Emergency Preparedness Department Budget, Unit No. 34. The City Manager noted it is very doubtful the City will receive any federal matching funds for Emergency Preparedness Expenditures in 1988. 9 - -87 -4 Councilmember Lhotka inquired why this is kept separate from the police department budget. The City Manager stated in the past it was kept separate because of the federal funding the City received. The City Council went on to review the Animal Control Budget, Unit No. 35. The City Manager noted this budget anticipates approximately the same level of services as those performed in 1987. He noted the costs for these services are much lower than when the City contracted with MAPSI and the service is much better. The Council proceeded to the Engineering Division Budget, Unit No. 41. The City Manager noted this budget proposes the elimination of one engineering technician III position and one secretary position and replacing them with one administrative aid and one receptionist. He noted this reorganization would also eliminate the part -time clerical position which was funded in the 1987 budget. The Council then reviewed the Street Maintenance Budget, Unit No. 42. Councilmember Lhotka inquired why the sealcoating program is being upgraded. The City Manager stated the proposed sealcoating program would last longer and bind better. He noted over a period of time the City will actually spend less on sealcoating. He noted this item has been proposed in past years and he has always cut it out of the budget. Councilmember Theis questioned the expenditure of $100,000 for a new loader. The City Manager stated this proposed piece of equipment would actually replace two pieces of equipment that now exist in the street department. A brief discussion then ensued regarding the current uses of the present equipment and the uses for the proposed loader. There was a motion by Councilmember Lhotka and seconded by Councilmember Theis to continue the public hearing on the 1988 annual City Budget to September 14, 1987. The meeting adjourned at 10 p.m. City Clerk Mayor I 9 -9 -87 -5-