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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987 09-16 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 16, 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 7:05 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor Dean Nyquist, Councilmembers Gene Lhotka, Celia Scott, and Rich Theis. Also present were City Manager Gerald Splinter, Finance Director Paul Holmlund, Police Chief Jim Lindsay, Police Captains Scott Kline and Joel Downer, Police Sergeant Greg Weeks, and Administrative Aid Patti Page. PU$LIC HEARING Mayor Nyquist reconvened the public hearing on the 1988 annual City Budget. i r ` The City Council reviewed the Vehicle Maintenance Division Budget, Unit No. 43. Councilmember Lhotka inquired why object No. 4221, motor fuels, has decreased from the 1987 adopted figure. The Finance Director stated the 1988 recommended appropriation is based on recommendations from the previous and present years experience. The City Manager noted most of the City vehicles are now more fuel efficient than they have been in the past. Councilmember Scott inquired why the amount listed for trade -ins on capital outlay items is so small. The City Manager stated, in most cases, the City will receive more money than the dollar figure noted for trade -in items, but staff does not like to be" overly optimistic. i Councilmember Hawes entered the meeting at 7:10 p.m. The Council continued on to the Traffic Signals Budget, Unit No 44. r Councilmember Theis questioned the recommended appropriation amount for object No. 4371, electric service. The City Manager stated over the past two to three years there have been several changes in the signs throughout the City and it was difficult to predict what the cost of these changes would be. Councilmember Theis stated using the actual figures from 1986 puts the 1988 proposed appropriation approximately $7,000 higher. He inquired what type of increase the City had seen for these bills. The City Manager stated he would prepare a detailed listing of the cost for each signal. Councilmember Theis stated he is also interested in what type of changes took place between 1986 and 1988 for traffic signals. There were no questions or comments on the Street Lighting Budget, Unit No. 45. The Council reviewed the Weed Control Budget, Unit No. 46. Councilmember Lhotka stated he would like to have staff look at raising the administrative cost for weed control and the number times per season that properties are cut. 9 -16 -87 -1- i j The Council then reviewed the Health Regulation and Inspection Budget, Unit No. 51. Councilmember Scott inquired what items would be purchased from the capital outlay section of this.budget. The City Manager stated it would be specialized equipment and also a car, radio, and other miscellaneous equipment. The Council then reviewed the Recreation and Parks Administration Budget, Unit No. 61. The City Manager noted this budget contemplates one major change from the 1987 budget, He noted this change would be the addition of another full - time program supervisor. He stated this position would supervise and program all adult and youth sports activities. Councilmember Theis inquired how many people were on the staff when Gene Hagel retired. The City Manager stated there were six people on staff at that time and the vacant position created by his retirement was not filled. Councilmember Theis inquired what areas of the program would be enhanced by adding the new position. The City Manager stated the supervisor would program and supervise all adult and youth sports activities as well as devoting approximately 30% of its time to the Earle Brown Days Committee. Councilmember Theis inquired if it would be more economical to hire a person temporarily for the Earle Brown Days celebration. The City Manager ' stated the Earle Brown Days celebration requires attention year - round. l i Councilmember Theis inquired if the recreational programs are basically seasonal r type programs or if they are year- round. The City Manager stated the programs jused to be fairly seasonal, but now there is such a diversity in programs that they run year - round. Councilmember Lhotka inquired what object No. 4310, professional services, was for. The City Manager stated this amount was recommended to hire a consultant to conduct a study on City -owned land surrounding Kylawn Preserve Area. The City Council proceeded to review the Adult Recreation Programs Budget, Unit No. 62. Councilmember Theis inquired how much of this budget is supported by revenue. The Finance Director stated the entire budget is supported by revenue i taken in. The City Manager pointed out that in recent studies that have been conducted, the City of Brooklyn Center recovers more of its program costs than most recreation programs. Councilmember Lhotka inquired why there were increases to object No. 4130, salaries, and object No. 4310, professional services, in addition to the proposed added person in budget No. 61. The Finance Director stated the two line items listed in department No. 62 are additional referees which are needed for basketball, softball, and volleyball leagues. He pointed out these costs are recovered by the fees which the participants pay. 'k The City Council reviewed the Teen Recreation Programs Budget, Unit No. 63. Councilmember Theis stated the teen recreational programs appear much smaller than the adult recreational programs. He inquired if this reflects a lack of interest in the teen programs or not enough push for teen programming. The City Manager stated both reasons are correct. He noted the program which is held at Northview Junior High is a very active program but there does not appear to be much interest elsewhere. He added the City has not tried to be involved with f the other school districts because these schools handle their own programs and i the City does not want to compete with the school programs. There were no questions or comments on the Children's Recreation Programs Budget, Unit No. 64. 9 -16 -87 -2- 1 The Council then reviewed the General Recreation Programs Budget, Unit No. 65. Councilmember Theis inquired how the skating rink program is going. The City Manager stated it was hard to judge how much use the skating rinks received last year because of the warm winter. He noted the expected activity for the skating rinks will still be below the usage of 10 to 15 years ago. He added that it does appear that activity. is picking up somewhat though. Councilmember Theis stated he would like to have staff investigate the possibility of reducing the hours in which the warming ouses are open. en. p The Council reviewed the Community Center Budget, Unit No. 66. Councilmember Lhotka inquired what object No. 4520 buildings, is budgeted for. The City Manager stated this would be for tuck pointing the brick, mostly around the pool side of the building. Next, the Council reviewed the Parks Maintenance Budget, Unit No. 69. Councilmember Scott inquired where the fencing would be installed in Central Park. The City Manager stated it would be along the foul lines on the ballfields. There was a brief discussion as to what type of picnic tables would be purchased and where the flail mower was used. The Council proceeded to review the Unallocated Departmental Expenses Budget, Unit No. 80. There were no questions or comments on this item. Councilmember Lhotka stated he would like to go back and discuss the Police Department Budget, Unit No. 31. Councilmember Lhotka stated he was not willing to add additional personnel in the police department until the other areas of concern are taken care of. He stated he feels there are a number of things which must be brought under control before adding additional staff. Councilmember Hawes inquired how the City's police department compares with other departments of the same size. The City Manager went on to review the manpower survey which was conducted. Councilmember Lhotka stated he had no doubts that at some time the City would have to add additional personnel, but at this time he feels staff should take care of the administrative problems instead of throwing more personnel at the problem. The City Manager went on to review the salary differential for the positions of captain, sergeant, and patrol officer. Councilmember Hawes inquired if by adding a third captain there would be a captain on duty 24 hours a day. The City Manager stated it takes over four people to cover a 24 hour period, 365 days a year. Councilmember Scott stated she would like to have some input from the police department members present this evening. Councilmember Theis stated he would like to give the police department members an opportunity to speak if they wish. Mayor Nyquist pointed out that this evening's meeting is a public hearing and is open to anyone who wishes to address the Council on any matter pertainin g to the budget. Mayor Nyquist recognized Patrol Officer Mike Kaulfauss, who stated the Police Association is against hiring a third captain. He said the Police Association agrees there are necessary changes which should be made, but they do not feel adding a third captain will help the situation. He stated the Association feels the sergeants should be given more administrative responsibilities and possibly hire an additional patrol officer to handle the street duties. Councilmember 9 -16 -87 -3- Theis inquired whether the paper work backlog has created a problem for the patrol officer. Patrol Officer Kaulfauss stated that he personally feels there is a great need for more clerical staff in the police department. The City Manager pointed out as the call load grows for the police department, the Council must look at the clerical and administrative level of staff in the police department. The Police Chief stated the captains handle all complaints, review reports, take care of the jail area, and handle a large amount of duties that one person could not take care of during the day. Mayor Nyquist recognized Investigator Bob Dirks who stated he believes there is a need for more manpower on the streets. He stated responsibility should be given back to the sergeants which would free up some of the captains time to allow them to do the other administrative duties. The City Manager stated whenever a task is completed, it takes up someone's time whether it be the sergeants or the captains time. He noted staff feels this proposal is the best way to handle the administrative duties. He went on to review the number of personnel in the police department for the past years. The Police Chief stated that after the reorganization in 1981, the police captains took on some of the duties of the sergeants who were sent back out on patrol. He added that the type of crime has changed and increased since 1979 and went on to describe the changes. Councilmember Lhotka stated he feels the administration in the police department needs to be tightened up. He stated if staff feels it is necessary to add more clerical staff, he is behind that 100 %. He noted he believes if the additional paperwork gets taken care of, it will help to tighten up control throughout the department. Councilmember Hawes stated he would like to see more coverage on the shifts and possibly coverage 24 hours a day with some weekend coverage. The City Manager stated he did not feel it was necessary to have 24 hour coverage each day. He added if administrative duties are given back to the sergeants it will take away from their time on the streets. The Police Chief reviewed the current hours of the two captains and explained what the proposed hours would be for the third captain. Mayor Nyquist inquired if there were any other questions regarding the 1988 proposed budget. Councilmember Hawes stated he would like to clarify the comparable worth situation. The City Manager stated it would be possible, if the Council so wished, to make the 1988 payment for comparable worth in August versus January 1. Mayor Nyquist inquired when the budget must be completely approved. The City Manager stated he believed it should be approved by October 1, 1987. Councilmember Theis stated he has a number of concerns regarding the tax levy proposed for 1988. He stated he would like to see the mill rate kept at the same level as it was for 1987. He added he would like to make enough cuts in the proposed 1988 budget to bring it down to the appropriate level for the mill rate. He stated he did not want to make these cuts to the capital outlay portions of the budget because he feels these areas have been cut as far as is .possible. In order to bring the budget down to the appropriate level, it will be necessary to cut some ongoing expenses. 9 -16 -87 -4- Councilmember Lhotka stated he feels this is a very modest increase in the mill rate. Councilmember Scott pointed out the City has lost a great deal of state and federal aid. She stated she did not see that the City could cut any ongoing expenses without cutting necessary services, and she does not feel the City should do this. Councilmember Theis stated he feels staff is requesting higher increases than is necessary for ongoing expenses. The Finance Director stated residents will see no more than a 4% increase. He stated it is logical to assume that the commercial increase will be somewhat larger because of the state laws. Mayor Nyquist stated he does not like the idea of a mill levy increase but he does not see many alternatives to this. Councilmember Theis stated he did believe there were alternatives and that those were to cut certain areas. RECESS The Brooklyn Center City Council recessed at 10 p.m. and reconvened at 10:10 p.m. The City Manager stated he and the Finance Director have done some checking and it would be possible for the Council to adopt the final budget at the October 5, 1987, City Council meeting. He noted if the Council could give the staff direction towards areas to be cut, staff would prepare a resolution for the October 5, 1987, City Council meeting. Councilmember Lhotka stated it appears the Council has come to a consensus regarding the comparable worth implementation date for 1988. He noted that it should start on August 1, 1988. He added he still has a few questions regarding the full -time fire chief position that he wanted the City Manager to address. Councilmember Lhotka stated at this point in time he cannot approve the captain position in the police department. Councilmember Scott agreed with Councilmember Lhotka regarding the captain position. Councilmember Theis stated he is not willing to approve the captain position in the police department budget, but he would like to suggest putting all funds for this position, including the allocation for furniture into the contingency account. He stated he did not feel the police department is the place to cut the budget, but by transferring the funding for this position to the contingency account the Council would not have to approve the position immediately. The Finance Director reminded the Council that if the captain position is not approved it will have to be decided who will supervise the dispatch area. The City Manager inquired if the Council wished to approve the administrative services manager, three clerical positions, and decrease the part -time positions for the police department and move all items concerning the captain position to the contingency account. There was a general consensus among Councilmembers to approve the police department budget as the City Manager suggested. Councilmember Theis stated he still had a number of concerns regarding the ongoing expenses portion of the budget especially with regard to motor fuels and street lighting. He added he also had a few questions regarding the full -time program supervisor for the Park and Recreation Department. Councilmember Lhotka inquired if it would be possible to hire someone for a lesser position than program supervisor to handle the proposed position. He added he also has not heard the Council say they want the City staff to take on the functions of the Earle Brown Days planning. He noted he would like to see more reasoning why 9 -16 -87 -5- this position is necessary. Councilmember Theis added he would like to know what the personnel structuring is for that department at this time and what the proposed structuring would be. Councilmember Lhotka suggested the Council approve the funding for this position in the budget but not allow the position to be filled until the Council is totally convinced the additional position is needed. There was a motion by Councilmember Lhotka and seconded by Councilmember Hawes directing staff to prepare a resolution adopting the 1988 Budget. The motion passed unanimously. There was a motion by Councilmember Hawes and seconded by Councilmember Scott directing staff to prepare a resolution approving a one -third mill levy for the Brooklyn Center Economic Development Authority. The motion passed unanimously. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Councilmember Lhotka and seconded by Councilmember Scott to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The Brooklyn Center City Council adjourned at 10:43 p.m. I City Clerk t °` Mayo 9 -16 -87 -6-