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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983 09-19 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 19, 1983 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 can Nyquist, Councilmembers Gene Lhotka., Celia Scott, Bill Hawes, and Rich Theis. Also present were City Manager Gerald Splinter, Director of Finance Paul Holmlund, and Administrative Assistant Tom Bublitz. RECONVENE PUBLIC HEARING ON 1984 CITY BUDGET AND PUBLIC HEARING ON FEDERAL REVENUE FD LINDS — — Mayor Nyquist reconvened the public hearings on the 1984 City Budget and Federal Revenue Sharing Funds. The City Manager informed the Council that he and the Mayor .recently attended a meeting regarding local government aids analysis in order to better assess why Brooklyn Center had a. loss of state aids. He added that the loss was due to the secondary allocation formula as explained at the last Council meeting. The City Manager proceeded to review the sales ratio study data and the effects of variations in assessed values in overlapping taxing districts. He explained that this results in a significant tax differential between neighboring taxing jurisdictions. He added that the staff is reviewing a possible appeal for an adjustment in the sales ratio study. He noted that the appeal would be made to the Department of Revenue The Director of Finance reviewed the status of Federal Revenue Sharing and noted that it appears that the Federal Revenue Sharing legislation will be renewed by Congress. Mayor Nyquist recognized Mr. Don McGuire, representing North Hennepin Community College. Mr. McGuire discussed the status of the senior citizens chorus, and explained that North Hennepin Community College is the fiscal agent for the chorus He then requested the City of Brooklyn Center to become a co- sponsor of the chorus. Mr. McGuire .reviewed the financial history. of the chorus, and noted that approximately 16 agencies are currently involved. He added that the chorus will need support from the entire northwest community, if the program is to survive. He then reviewed the senior chorus program and explained that the chorus operates under a budget of $4,500 annually. He then reviewed several reasons why he believed the Council should consider sponsoring the chorus, including the fact that the chorus has a quality product with ten years experience, that it is cost effective to maintain funding in local jurisdictions, and that the chorus is of significant social recreation and educational value. He also pointed out that 11 of the 28 seniors in the chorus live in Brooklyn Center- He concluded his remarks by saying that he hoped the Council would give the chorus a positive response Councilmember Theis inquired how the program fits in with the senior program in the City budget. The City Manager noted that the senior chorus would be an adjunct to r 9 -19 -83 -1- the currently existing program for seniors. He explained that the existing program includes Wednesday meetings of the senior citizens and also occasional trips for the group. He added that the total senior citizen budget proposed for 1984 is $3,055• He pointed out that the 1984 proposed budget does not reflect an expanded budget in the area of recreational programing. The Director of Finance commented that in 1984 no new programs are proposed which are not self - supporting. The City Manager added that the entire 1984 proposed budget was prepared on the basis of no new programs. Mayor Nyquist again recognized Mr. Don McGuire who informed the Council that District 279, District 286, and the City of Brooklyn Park have budgeted for the program. Councilmember Theis inquired as to the number of events conducted in Brooklyn Center by the senior chorus. Ms. June Scofield responded to Councilmember Theis' inquiry by stating that the senior chorus performs whenever its invited and has performed at Kaleidoscope, nursing homes, and other events and locations. She added that the City of Brooklyn Park budgeted $400 for the senior chorus for 1984• She then reviewed other funding sources in the community which included groups and individuals. Councilmember Theis pointed out that the Council will consider the request for funding of the senior chorus during their budget review., REVIEW OF DEPARTMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS COUNCIL The City Manager reviewed the proposed Council budget for 1984 and explained that the budget proposes an appropriation of $10,000 to fund part -time staff and a computer analysis of census and housing data for developing a "Brooklyn Center 2000 Report ". He reviewed the proposed report and explained that it would take the recently completed planning study information, the 1980 census data as it is now being released, plus the involvement of the City Council staff members and a citizens committee to analyze and identify the critical issues Brooklyn Center will be facing in the next 15 to 20 years. The City Manager also pointed out that in the past there has been a lack of a significant lobbying effort by the suburban communities. He added that he believes this issue will have to be addressed in the future, and pointed out the the suburban communities have not been successful in obtaining favorable legislation, as have Minneapolis and St. Paul. He noted the possibility of joining with other communities in a joint lobbying effort. Councilmember. Lhotka asked whether or not a professional lobbyist is being contemplated. The City Manager explained that the use of a professional lobbyist could be undertaken on a joint basis with other cities in the suburban metropolitan area. He added that this approach has been discussed by several suburban communities. Councilmember Lhotka then inquired the extent of funding necessary for such a coalition and also the form of the coalition. The City lJlenager explained that the coalition could be composed of communities with common interests or larger inner ring suburbs. He stated that suburban communities need access to the 9 -19 -83 -2- t legislature, access to lobby, and computer capability. fie added that the State league of Cities does not currently have this capability. Mayor Nyquist inquired what the league of Cities provides to the City of Brooklyn Center. The City Manager explained that the League serves as a general lobbying body and provides a common municipal community made up of very large and very'small communities. Councilmember Scott commented that the diversity of the group and in the size of cities makes common lobbying a problem. The City Manager explained that league personnel are available to come out and discuss the services they provide, and he suggested inviting them to a Council meeting before the first of the year. There was a general consensus among Commission members to concur with the City Manager's recommendation to invite the League of Cities staff to a Council meeting. Councilmember Lhotka inquired whether the Suburban Rate Authority assessment proposed for 1984 is in the proposed budget. The City Manager explained that the assessment would have to be added to the 1984 Budget. The City Manager proceeded to review the proposed budgets for the Charter Commission and the City Manager's office. ELECTIONS ou remember Theis requested a clarification on the increases in the cost of professional services from previous years. Administrative Assistant Bublitz pointed out that the increase in 1984 is due to an increase in the election judge's salary and to the fact that more judges will be added during the presidential election. He added that there are more r r the 1 presidential o e fudges p proposed for 984 election than were used in the 1980 presidential election, and pointed out that the formula used to determine the number of judges in to have one more election judge than the number of voting machines in each precinct. ASSESSING The City Manager reviewed the Assessing Department budget, and explained that it is proposed that additional part -time hours will be included in this budget for 1984. He pointed out that a full -time Appraiser was eliminated from the Assessing Department. He added that the 1983 amount for professional services will not be spent if additional hours are not needed for this year. Councilmember Theis requested a clarification and rationale for part -time employees included in the budget, and requested additional information on part -time hours, such as indicating the full -time equivalent for part -time positions. The City Manager proceeded to review the Finance Department and Independent Audit budgets proposed for 1984. LEGAL COUNSEL The Director of Finance submitted a letter to the City Council from the City Attorney regarding the proposed legal budget for 1984. In discussion of the proposed legal budget, the City Manager noted that prosecution costs are difficult to determine and limit since they have a relationship to court and police activity. The Director of Finance added that the City may exceed its 1983 allocation for legal counsel by the end of September. 9 -19 -83 -3- Councilmember. Lhotka inquired if there were any alternatives to the situation. The City Manager replied that an in -house legal staff does not appear to be a reasonable alternative to the current arrangement, and that the only alternative that is readily apparent is to look for a less expensive rate. He added that with regard to preparation of ordinances the City staff does much of the base work on ordinance preparation. Councilmember Scott suggested that the success rate in law suits, in her opinion, is the bottom line. Councilmember Theis then inquired whether any statistics were kept on cases won. The City Manager replied that this would be a deceptive figure and because of plea bargaining the statistics would look better as a result. He added that it is difficult to separate the plea bargained cases from other cases. Councilmember Theis then inquired how Brooklyn Center's expenditures compared to other similar municipalities. The City Manager replied that expenses are quite similar and noted that the City's expenditures are quite close to the City of Minnetonka based on a comparison done in 1982. Councilmember Lhotka expressed a concern on how the legal counsel services could be evaluated from year to year. The City Manager .replied that the legal counsel services could be put out on a formal bid but often the bid is low only in the first year and then increases after that. He pointed out that if the City is satisfied with the quality of the legal work the cost appears to be in line. He added that there are no objective criteria for an evaluating professional services statistically. He added that he could discuss the Council's concerns with the City Attorney and have the City Attorney address the issue at the next budget session. GCVERMT= BUILDINGS The City Manager explained that it is possible that the appropriation for boilers will not be needed if the existing equipment can be repaired. He added that testing is currently being done on the boilers. With regard to the carpeting in City hall, the City Manager commented that in some areas the carpet shows great wear and that it has not been replaced in 12 years- He added that he could not justify a total replacement of the carpet but it is not possible to get matching carpet for repair. Councilmember Hawes inquired whether consideration was given to using carpet tile. The City Manager replied that vendors have told the City that it did not wear well but he would check this out further. Councilmember Theis requested additional information on the lighting in the Council chambers. The City Manager replied that currently there is glare and hot spots and that the lighting is generally uneven in the Council chambers. He added that $4,800 would be required to remodel the entire lighting system in the Council chambers. RECESS The Brooklyn Center City Council recessed at 8:55 p.m, and reconvened at 9:15 p.m. POLICE DEPARTM TT n review of e Police Department budget, the City Manager reviewed the training program budget and pointed out that one officer per year is sent to the refresher course held at the Southern Police Institute at a cost of slightly over $1,000. 9 -19 -83 -4- At the request of Councilmember Lhotka, the City Manager explained that the amount of board for prisoners will exceed the 1983 budget in 1983, Councilmember Theis inquired what the normal program is for rotating squad cars. The City Manager explained that the normal cycle is three years for the rotation of a squad car from the police department to the regular City staff. The City Manager reviewed the police department request for additional part -time clerical assistance of 20 hours per week. He added that this will allow the department to provide better service at the counter on evenings and weekends. Councilmember Theis stated that he was concerned regarding the addition of personnel which is not spelled out specifically in the budget. Councilmember Lhotka inquired what the number of CEO's would be for 1984. The City Manager explained that currently there is one full -time and three part -time CEO's. He pointed out that they are apparently getting good quality part -time people and the three part -time positions maintains abetter continuity for vacations and leave time. Councilmember Lhotka requested that the staff provide a clearer explanation of part -time hours in the budget. FIRE DEPARTMENT The Manager reviewed the recommended appropriations for the fire department, and Councilmember Lhotka requested information regarding how the fire department's rescue boats have been used in the past. PLANNING & INSPECTION ley Manager reviewed the proposed appropriations for the Planning& Inspection Department and the Director of Finance pointed out a correction should be made on page 79 of the budget and the figure of $38,974 should be $36,952• The City Manager then reviewed the Emergency Preparedness Budget proposal for 1984• ANIMAL CONTROL TheCity Manager reviewed the recommended budget appropriations, and Councilmember Lhotka commented that the staff was going to provide a comparison between the cost and service of the contract service and , the new system of providing animal control. ENGINEERING The City Manager reviewed the engineering services anticipated in 1984, and noted that the engineering staff is behind in doing its "as built" surveys. He pointed out that there are other projects that the engineering staff has not pursued because of construction projects. Councilmember Theis recalled the reallocation of personnel in the police department during last year's budget, and requested the staff to review how this issue will be addressed in other areas and departments. STREET CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE The My Tianager reviewed the budget proposals for the street construction and maintenance budget, and Councilmember Lhotka requested additional background information on the sidewalk snow plow for the next meeting. Councilmember Lhotka left the table at 9:50 P.M. The City Manager reviewed the reforestation program for City boulevards, and noted 9 -19 -83 -5- M that many people have requested trees in their yards as opposed to on the boulevard. Councilmember-.Lhotka returned at 9:51 p.m. The City Manager proceeded to review the 1984 Budget proposals for the Vehicle Maintenace, Traffic Signals, Street Lighting, Weed Control, and Health Regulation. PARK AND RECREATION BUDGET - C1 - t — y Manager reviewed the budget proposal for the Recreation and Parks i Administration budget and the Adult Recreation programs. The Director of Finance reviewed the program budgets for Adult Recreation, Children's Recreation programs, Teen Recreation, General Recreation programs, and Community Center recreation. The City Manager then reviewed the budget proposals for the Parks Maintenance Budget. T, DEPARTMENTAL EXPENSE In response to a question from Councilmember Theis, the Director of Finance explained that the Home Insurance Company went into a dividend program in order to retain municipal customers, and the City is still receiving dividends under the program. Council-member Theis stated that he would like to address the revenue portion of the budget, and pointed out that he had not seen an increase proposed for license fees to keep pace with increased costs. The City Manager stated that he would provide further information on the .revenue at the next meeting. Mayor`Nyquist continued the budget hearing to the Council meeting of September 26, 1983. The Brooklyn Center City Council adjourned at 10 :15 p.m- j r Mayor 9 -19 -83 -6-