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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979 09-26 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 26, 1979 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council met in special session and was called to order by Mayor Dean Nyquist at 7:35 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor Dean Nyquist, Councilmembers Tony Kuefler, Gene Lhotka, and Celia Scott. Also present was City Manager Gerald Splinter, Director of Finance Paul Holmlund and Administrative Assistant Tom Buclitz. Mayor Nyquist noted that Councilmember Bill Fignar would be absent and was excused. Mayor Nyquist reconvened the Special Budget Meeting. The City Manager commented on the questions raised at the last Budget meeting and explained that these questions would be addressed in the Budget addendum received by City Council members. He noted that, with regard to the calls for service in the Police Department on an average day, 30% to 400 of the calls could be handled by a CSO officer alone or be assisted by a CSO. Concerning the Brooklane shelter building, the City Manager indicated that it would be advisable to handle this expense out of the capital improvements fund to eliminate the red tape of revenue sharing, and that this would be handled by a separate resolution aside from the resolution accepting the Budget. Councilmember Kuefler inquired what the capital improvements fund represented. The Director of Finance stated that the capital improvements fund was for major acquisition and not for rolling stock items. He noted that it began in 1971 before the levy limits and that it was funded from the interest on bonds and from assessment funds with excessive interest earnings after the bonds are paid off. POLICE DEPARTMENT Councilmember Lhotka referred to the handout on the 1980 Proposed Budget comparison of clerical proposals and noted an apparent discrepancy in that there is a 12% increase in hours shown for part -time clerical personnel and a 15% increase in pay for part -time clerical personnel in the Police Depart - ment. The Director of Finance noted that the hourly cost for clerical personnel is increased regardless of whether or not they are full -time or part -time since the part -time salaries will be increased to attract a greater number of candidates to these positions. Councilmember Kuefler inquired whether there was a 12% increase in the workload in the Police Department in 1980 over 1979. The City Manager explained that the current trend is that there will be an increasing clerical workload in the Police Department. The Director of Finance pointed out that, in the past, dispatchers have done clerical work on an over - time basis when the need arose. Councilmember Kuefler questioned why the costs of supplies, repairs, and maintenance is substantially increased in the 1980 Budget. The City Manager explained that the items causing this increase include the higher costs of tear gas supplies, the purchase of a wall map for the dispatch room, the increased cost of ammunition, the need for more emergency flares, and the increase in the amount of photo supplies needed. He explained that the amount for photo supplies is up between 15% and 20% 9 -26 -79 -1- over 1979 due mainly to the fact of the increased work needed by the City Assessor. Councilmember Kuefler questioned item 4323 in the Police Depart- ment Budget regarding the increased cost of radios. The Director of Finance explained that the rental rates for radio units are up 15% for 1980. Council - member Scott questioned why the dues in item 4413 have increased so greatly. The Director of Finance explained that the HECO dues are now included in this Budget item. Councilmember Kuefler inquired what the cost of the new squad cars would be. The City Manager explained that the cost would be approximately $6,000 per car. FIRE DEPARTMENT Councilmember Kuefler noted that supplies are also up substantially in the Fire Department for 1980 compared to 1979. The City Manager stated that a partial explanation of this is that the Fire Chief waits until late in the year to purchase these items for the Department. AQUATIC SUPERVISOR Councilmember Kuefler expressed a concern over the hiring of a full -time aquatic supervisor and questioned how the City go about evaluating the potential improvements that this position would bring to the swimming program. The City Manager explained that the Park and Recreation Director has given assurances that the $4,000 annual increase in the personnel costs for a full- time aquatic supervisor will be matched by the increased revenue brought in by the full -time position. The City Manager also noted a typographical error on the Budget addendum memorandum and noted that in the second to the last paragraph on page number 5, the $14,000 should be changed to $4,000. Councilmember Kuefler stated that he was concerned over the full -time position and that he felt the program usage must justify increased staffing. The City Manager explained that, in the Engineering Department, Police Department, and Finance Department full -time positions have been eliminated in the past. He suggested that the Council could make this position a one year position to test the assumptions on the benefit of the aquatic supervisor to the overall swimming and recreation program. Councilmember Lhotka asked whether or not the $7,100 shown as an increase in revenue from swimming lessons in 1980 is due to the addition of this position. The City Manager explained that this was not necessarily a result of the proposed full -time position and that the Park and Recreation staff anticipates an increase in swimming lessons in 1980. He noted that the Park and Recreation staff sees a spinoff benefit from the aquatic supervisor in that it will provide a more efficient use of pool time and more time to develop the overall program. Council- member Scott stated that she feels that two program supervisors plus an aquatic supervisor is difficult to justify. The Director of Finance stated that the addition of the full -time aquatic supervisor had the potential to generate additional revenue. Councilmember Kuefler questioned how much the revenue would be increased by the aquatic supervisor and felt that there should be a more definite commitment on the part of the Park and Recreation Department in showing how the overall program will be improved by the addition of this full -time position. The City Manager explained that the Park and Recreation staff has indicated that they can generate enough revenue with this full -time position to pay for the $4,000 increase in an 18 month period. Councilmember Kuefler stated that he doesn't feel that the Park and Recreation Department has shown specifically how they will increase the revenue with the addition of the aquatic supervisor and in what specific areas. The City Manager referred the Council to the Budget addendum memo stating that the Park and Recreation Department has indicated that the aquatic supervisor will provide an increase in swimming program attentance and an overall increase in the usage of the pool by organized groups. Councilmember Kuefler stated that he doesn't see a measurable justification for the aquatic supervisor. The City Manager stated that the Park and Recreation staff could be asked 9 -26 -79 -2- to present more specific data on how the aquatic supervisor will improve their overall swimming program. He also recommended that the Council could direct the City Manager to refrain from hiring the aquatic super- visor until more specific data is provided on the benefits to be received by the addition of this full -time position. Councilmember Kuefler concurred with the City Manager's recommendation and again expressed his desire to see some measurable data on how the aquatic supervisor will benefit the overall swimming program. SPECIAL ELECTION The City Manager stated that the City Clerk has noted that the potential for a special election in 1980 can be handled through the Contingency Fund and that the cost of such an election would be approximately $2,000. Mayor Nyquist asked if there were any more comments on the proposed 1980 Budget. Councilmember Kuefler stated that the format of the Budget is very good and understandable. Mayor Nyquist recognized Mr. Bill Clelland, who was present in the audience, who expressed an interest in the prosecuting attorney position for the City. Mr. Clelland stated that his proposal would involve a $5,000 annual reduction in the cost of the prosecuting attorney for the City. He stated that he was present to answer any questions about his proposal and to emphasize that it is a serious commitment and he is willing to give a two year commitment on the costa Councilmember Kuefler asked Mr. Clelland how the cost would be billed out. Mr. Clelland replied that it would be a flat rate amortized over a 12 or 24 month period. Councilmember Kuefler then inquired about the fact that the prosecuting attorney does not have control over the number of hours he is required to work. Mr. Clelland replied that he is familiar with the prosecuting attorney case load and feels that his offer would be both fair to himself and to the City. He noted that he has developed a commitment to criminal prosecution and that his proposal is a matter of professional pride. He also noted that he would be able to offer the services of prose - cuting attorney on a different rate structure than he did before, since his new firm involves less overhead. He also noted that he guarantees that there would be no diminution of service. DETACHED WORKER The City Manager referred to the Detached Worker Program and noted that the Council had approved the document agreement for the Detached Worker Program at the last City Council meeting. The Director of Finance explained that the levy limit margin was $700 at the last Council meeting and that since that time the City has lost some special levies and has picked others up but that we are now in a situation where the City is $19,000 over the levy limit and any addition could not likely be picked up by special levies. The Director of Finance explained that he feels that the City can cover the $19,000 but no more than this. The City Manager explained that he would recommend the use of the unappropriated surplus fund if the Council feels that the Detached Worker Program is a good and necessary program. There was a motion by Council- member Kuefler and seconded by Councilmember Scott to add the Detached Worker to the 1980 City Budget. Voting in favor: Mayor Nyquist, Councilmembers Kuefler, Lhotka, and Scott. Voting against: none. The motion passed unanimously. RESOLUTION NO. 79 -227 Member Celia Scott introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE 1980 BUDGET 9 -26 -79 -3- The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by member Gene Lhotka, and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: Dean Nyquist, Tony Kuefler, Gene Lhotka, and Celia Scott; and the following voted against the same: none, whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted. RESOLUTION NO. 79 -228 Member Gene Lhotka introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE A TAX LEVY FOR 1980 BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by member Celia Scott, and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: Dean Nyquist, Tony Kuefler, Gene Lhotka, and Celia Scott; and the following voted against the same: none, whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Councilmember Kuefler and seconded by Councilmember Lhotka to adjourn the meeting. Voting in favor: Mayor Nyquist, Council - members Kuefler, Lhotka, and Scott. Voting against: none. The motion passed unanimously. The Brooklyn Center City Council adjourned at 8:55 p.m. Clerk Ma 9 -26 -79 -4-