HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978 09-13 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 13, 1978
CITY HALL
CALL TO ORDER
The Brooklyn Center City Council met for a special budget meeting and was called
to order by Mayor Dean Nyquist at 7:35 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Dean Nyquist, Councilmembers Tony Kuefler, Bill Fignar, and Celia Scott,
Also present were City Manager Gerald Splinter, Director of Public Works James
Merila, Director of Finance Paul Holmlund, and Administrative Assistants Mary
Harty and Steve Korff. .
The City Manager stated the meeting was primarily for the purpose of reviewing
the proposed 1979 Budget but prior to beginning the review of the Budget, the City
Manager asked the Council to review the master labor agreement between the City
of Brooklyn Center and the Minnesota Teamsters Public and Law Enforcement
Employees Union, Local #320. The City Manager recommended approval of the
contract and explained there was very little change from the last contract. He
stated the majority of the contract was retroactive to January 1 with the exception
of certain specific items such as longevity pay, which was retroactive to July 1 .
He explained one of the changes resulting from the arbitrator's award was a two
track system in which the officer had a choice between longevity pay or college
incentive pay. Because of the nature of the two tracks, virtually every officer
is anticipated to choose the longevity track. A further change in this area is
that courses applicable to college incentive must now be job related. Grievances
are expected over the interpretation of "job related" but all grievances will be
handled jointly by the MAMA group, not by individual communities. The City
Manager also explained the pay increments for both tracks -- longevity and college
incentive- -are listed as percentages in the new contract. If percentages rather
than dollar amounts are left in future contracts, it will mean a substantial escalation
in the dollar amounts.
The City Manager reviewed an additional change in the contract relating to pay,
In the last contract the ees Brooklyn Center Police Department aid unionized employees
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by the hour, rather than a salary per month. The present contract stipulates all
employees must be paid a salary by the month. The Chief of Police has indicated,
as a result of this stipulation, the Brooklyn Center Police Department would be
establishing a 5 - 2 schedule for all unionized employees.
The City Manager explained officers were formerly paid a flat uniform allowance
and under the new contract, officers will be provided with the necessary uniform.
The City Manager summarized the contract indicating the arbitrator's wording within
the contract left much to interpretation
Further discussion ensued concerning whether or not the contract retained the
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necessary management prerogative to effectively manage the Police Department,
There was a motion by Councilmember Kuefler and seconded by Councilmember
Scott to approve the master labor agreement between the City of Brooklyn Center
and the Minnesota Teamsters Public and Law Enforcement Union, Local #320.
Voting in favor: Mayor Nyquist, Councilmembers Kuefler, Fignar, and Scott.
Voting against: none. The motion passed unanimously,
1979 BUDGET HEARING
Mayor Nyquist reconvened the Budget hearing. The City Manager explained the
City of Brooklyn Center had received a confirmation as to the exact amount of
State aids available to Brooklyn Center for the year 1979. The Director of Finance
had reviewed with the Council on September 11 , 1978 a conservative estimate of
State aids. The proposed Budget document distributed to Council members includes
the estimated figures for State aid which are below the actual figures. The Director
of Finance distributed a correction, The Director of Finance also explained that
an updated assessed valuation figure was now available to be used in figuring
the 1979 Budget.
The Director of Finance stated the mill levy proposed for 1979 is 17.565 mills
which is an increase of approximately 7.67% from 1978. The Director of Finance
further explained the computation of the City property tax, based on the proposed
tax levy, on a $35,000 Brooklyn Center home.
The City Manager proceeded to review the City Manager's Budget message for
the proposed 1979 Budget. He explained the emphasis this year in preparing the
Budget had been placed on sustaining the present programs with little or no thought
of expansion. He expressed his thanks for the cooperation from the City staff,
and particularly the Director of Finance, in putting together the 1979 Budget.
In response to questions from Council members, the City Manager explained the
increases in paperwork in the Police Department and the Assessor's office which
have necessitated an increase in the number of part -time clerical hours proposed
for those departments.
In commenting on the proposed appropriation of $8,000 for a State mandated
program for an energy audit conducted for all major public buildings as mentioned
in the City Manager's Budget message, Councilmember Kuefler stated certain
State mandated programs were financially burdensome to municipalities and
should be subsidized by the State. He suggested cost impact of the programs to
municipal governments should be ascertained before legislation mandates those
programs for municipal government. He suggested the voting pattern of area
legislators on this issue should be checked and legislators should be made aware
of the concerns of local government,
The Director of Finance briefly reviewed a 1979 resume of revenues and estimated
revenues. The Director of Finance explained certain of the revenues as listed
were estimates and were usually estimated conservatively because this was in the
best interests of the City. He explained historical figures for revenue estimates
could sometimes be misleading ecause occasional) a given year may b
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exceptionally high and future years would be considerably lower.
There were questions from Councilmembers concerning particular listed items of
revenue which were listed in one year only. An example of this type of item is
the antirecession fund in which the City of Brooklyn Center received approximately
$4,000 in revenue in the year 1977 and since that time has not received any
revenue for antirecession. The Director of Public Works, based on his participation
in the 1978 Budget process, explained the money was acquired at that time because
Brooklyn Center was made eligible based on unemployment rates. Since that time,
Brooklyn Center has been ineligible because of lower unemployment rates.
Similarly, in 1977, Brooklyn Center received a one time allocation of Federal
money through a Federal program to upgrade signery to meet manual specifications.
No money has since been received in that category.
The increase in the m
esti ated revenues for the adult recreation program was
explained as due to the increase in adult participation in the program. The
Director of Finance explained the community center does not technically support
itself if all aspects of the community center are considered. Certain programs
within the community center are self - supporting but other programs are not able
to support themselves.
The City Manager explained there was no revenue listed under the category
"sale of property" because money rom the sale of such property, r s pope ty, as the former
City Hall property, would be laced in the capital improvement fund, p p p d, of the
general fund, so as not to artificially inflate the general fund, which would
potentially cause problems in future years.
Councilmember Lhotka arrived at 8:25 p.m.
The City Manager briefly reviewed the resume of appropriations and expenditures
for all budgeted City funds before proceeding to the review of departmental appro-
priations.
The Council Budget was reviewed. The City Manager explained the $10,000
proposed for the City Council appropriation was for professional and consultant
fees intended to provide for any necessary special planning studies, consulting
services to advisory boards and commissions as may be needed, personnel
consulting services and other outside professional assistance as may be required.
The remainder of the Council Budget is primarily for membership dues and
subscriptions
The Charter Commission Budget was reviewed. The City Manager commented the
statutory amount of $1,500 is being recommended for the 1979 Budget,
The City Manager's Office Budget was reviewed. The City Manager explained,
as part of the Budget for the City Manager's Office, he was proposing the City
Manager be granted a vehicle allowance rather than being provided a City vehicle.
He explained the Police Department was requesting one additional auto as neces-
sitated in part by the reorganization. The City Manager indicated the Council had
been made aware of the likelihood of this request at the time the reorganization
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was pre. ented to the Council. The City Manager stated presently approximately
60% of the other metropolitan City Managers use their own auto and are given
a vehicle allowance. The vehicle allowance proposed in the 1979 Budget is
$1,800 and the additional $150 proposed is for use of personal auto by other
administrative staff, when necessary. As a point of clarification, the vehicle
allowance would cover all travel by the City Manager and the City Manager
would be reimbursed in an amount in addition to the vehicle allowance only
for mileage traveled outside of the metropolitan area.
The Director of Finance stated the increase in hospital insurance was due to
a change in the way health insurance was computed. Formerly the amount
budgeted was based on actual employees and consideration of whether or not
they required single or family coverage. Due to the uncertainty of
personnel changes, it was decided to budget in the 1979 Budget an amount
which would cover hospital insurance at a family rate for all employees.
The Elections and Voters' Registration Budget was reviewed. -The City Manager
explained the municipality was locally responsible for carrying out the election
within the municipality with only limited help from the County in the printing
of ballots. The cost of the voting machines and the cost of administration of
the voting is borne by the City. Approximately one -third of one administrative
office clerk's position is allocated to responsibility for Elections and Voters'
Registration. As in prior years one -third of one administrative office clerk's
salary and fringe benefits have been allocated to the Election and Voters'
Registration function.
The Assessing Budget was reviewed. The City Manager explained the major
change in the Assessing Budget was due to an attempt to develop a property
data system through LOGIS. The Director of Finance reviewed the progress
of the development of the property data system through LOGIS in response to
questions from the Council regarding this same item in the 1978 Budget. The
Assessing Budget also comprehends additional part -time clerical assistance
to be used temporarily until the LOGIS system is operative.
The Finance Budget was reviewed. The Director of Finance explained the 1979
department proposal recommends the position of Chief Accountant be added
because it is anticipated the Public Utilities Division Superintendent will retire
in 1979. If the Chief Accountant position is added, the utility billing function
operation would come under the supervision of the Finance Department and the
Chief Accountant would be responsible for the utility billing function. 50% of
the position's salary would be allocated to the Public Utilities Division.
It is anticipated the Chief Accountant would also work on an internal audit as
well as with working with the independent auditors, hopefully reducing the cost
of the independent audit to the City.
The Director of Finance also explained it is anticipated the department will lose
the accounting assistant position presently authorized and made possible through
the Federal CETA program.. If the CETA program is terminated at the end of the
1978 year, the accounting assistant position would also be terminated.
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The Independent Audit Budget was reviewed. The Director of Finance stated the
increase in the cost of the Independent Audit was due to an increase in the
hourly rate charged for the audit. As a point of clarification, the Director of
Finance explained the only audit the State performs is the Fire Relief audit.
The Legal Counsel Budget was reviewed, The City Manager explained he had
received a memorandum from Mr. Richard Schieffer, City Attorney, suggesting
a 13 -1/2% increase for legal counsel due to specified reasons. Mr.
Schieffer also proposed, in the memorandum, a different hourly rate for work
done by the City Attorney and the firm, based on the experience of the lawyer
who performs the task. Included also, is a proposed lesser billing rate for
specific work assigned to the law clerks within the firm.
Councilmembers asked the City Manager to prepare a breakdown of the costs
for services performed by the City Attorney. Councilmembers also were
interested in determining what the average cost per case prosecuted is. The
City Manager indicated he would put together the research as requested by
the Council and also look at the standard fees being charged to other cities
for legal counsel.
The Government Buildings Budget was reviewed. The City Manager explained the
capital outlay portion of the Government Buildings Budget includes minor remodeling
of the East Fire Station, the conversion of the City Hall vestibule to a conference
room, and the conversion of the existing City Hall conference room to an office
for the Director of Planning and Inspection. The remodeling of the East Fire Station
is necessitated in part by the energy inefficiency, of the Fire Station, The Office
of Planning and Inspection is extremely cramped and in need of additional conference
room space. This need can be accommodated by converting the existing City Hall
conference room to a conference room for Planning and Inspection, There is
adequate additional space in the City Hall vestibule to convert that area to a
conference room for City Hallo
The City Manager explained the 197.9 Budget proposal comprehends no additions
to the permanent work force within Government Buildings. In addition, it is
anticipated four full -time federally financed CETA custodial positions will be
eliminated prior to January 1 , 1979.
The City Manager explained a street materials storage building was also being
requested to be funded from the capital project fund at a cost of $58,000. The
Director of Public Works explained the structure would house the salt and sand
mixture which is used by the City to control ice on the roads in the winter.
Presently the mixture is stored outside the facility at 69th and Dupont. Last
year there was a water main break adjacent to the salt and sand storage piling,
and on digging down to repair the break, it was found the salt mixture from the
storage pile had eaten away the water main. There is also concern about the
leeching of salt from this pile into the storm sewer system. The Minnesota
Pollution Control. Agency has sent out a questionnaire inventorying the type of
salt storage facilities municipalities, counties, and other road maintenance
jurisdictions are using. It is anticipated, in the near future, jurisdictions will
be required to contain and eliminate this leeching, Presently approximately 10%
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of the total salt is being leeched from the mixture, which is equivalent to approxi-
mately $1,500 to $2,000 per year.
The salt storage building would be the first phase of this capital improvement.
Additionally, in future years, a poured concrete storage area would be added.
A mezzanine on the north wall of the present garage has also been suggested
for installation in future years. The Director of Finance explained the capital
projects fund had been started in 1968 to provide for major capital outlays and /or
to reduce capital outlay debt. The sources of the fund include ad valorem taxes,
surpluses of other City funds, issuances of bonds, interest earnings of fund,
and other sources. It is recommended this particular improvement be financed
out of the capital improvement funds in the amount of $58,000, There was a
motion by Councilmember Kuefler and seconded by Councilmember Scott to
approve the appropriation of $58,000 from the capital improvement fund for the
street materials storage building. Voting in favor: Mayor Nyquist, Council -
members Kuefler, Fignar, Lhotka, and Scotto Voting against: none. The
motion passed unanimously.
The Special Budget meeting was recessed at 10:00 p.m. and was reconvened
at 10:15 p.m.
The Detached Worker Program Budget was reviewed. The City Manager explained
that with the anticipated demise of the Federal CETA program prior to January 1 ,
1979, the City will no longer be able to support the Detached Worker Program
and no appropriation has been made for 1979. If funding from CETA is extended,
it is recommended the program be extended. Additionally, the City Manager
commented the Detached Worker Program would have priority if only a specified
number of CETA positions could be retained by the City. At this point, it is not
the intention of the City Manager to cut regularly funded City positions to save
Detached Worker positions.
The Council expressed concern over the elimination of the program. In response
the City Manager indicated if it was the Council's wish, the Detached Worker
could be funded from the Contingency Fund if CETA funds were not available in
1979. The City Manager asked the Council to give consideration to the Detached
Worker Program in light of the fact that to insure a consistent future for the
Detached Worker Program, money from the municipal budget would have to be
allocated. If the City Council wishes to allocate money from the municipal
budget to continue this CETA program, the Council should give consideration
to other areas which might be reduced or terminated. The City Manager again
stated it was not his recommendation to cut other City positions to save the
Detached Worker Program.
Discussion ensued as to the use of the Detached Worker Program by the Police
Department.
It was decided to defer further discussion on the Detached Worker Program until
other departmental budgets have been considered. The Police Department Budget
was reviewed. The City Manager explained because of severe budget restraints
and because of the high cost of replacing police officers, no additions to the
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departmental personnel component are recommended for 1979. It is the recom-
mendation of the City Manager the additional patrol officer position created in
the 1978 Budget, which has not yet been filled, be rescinded. The City Manager
indicated it was his intent to assess the reorganization and to assess service
delivery as well as alternatives for delivery of the same service.
The Police Department will lose one -half of a clerk III position on the termination
of the CETA program. It is recommended the part -time clerical appropriation be
increased to compensate for the loss of the position.
In response to questions regarding the rotation of cars into squad cars, the City
Manager explained, it had been common practice to use the new cars for admini-
stration to be rotated into squad cars and finally to be rotated to staff pool cars
The Superintendent of Streets had evaluated this particular use of cars and found
it to be most effective. Use of the new cars by administrative personnel enables
the cars to be broken in gradually and allows small problems to be worked out,
usually under warranty, before the car is rotated in to be a squad car.
Dolores Hastings, 5813 Aldrich Avenue North, inquired about the area of the police
budget which comprehends a silent alarm. She asked if the City or the Police
Department was aware of alarms which can be carried by women for their protection
at a nominal cost, The program is available through Hennepin County. The City
Manager indicated the City as not p res en tly Y p es� tl familiar with the alarms but ut would
check into the matter.
The Fire Protection Budget was reviewed. The City Manager stated the 1979
proposal comprehends no change in manpower complement nor does it comprehend
a change in the per watch compensation.
The City Manager recommended, as part of the capital outlay portion of the Budget,
the acquisition of one aerial pumper ladder truck. The City Manager explained
the Fire Department possessed much equipment of approximately the same vintage
which would require replacement at approximately the same time. The City Manager
indicated it would be nearly impossible to replace all of the Fire Department equip. -
ment at one time and the aerial pumper ladder truck was recommended at this time
in order to prevent the need for acquisition all at one time. Additionally, the Fire
Department is deficient in mainline equipment. The deficiency is primarily in
ground ladders. The City Manager also explained the City of Brooklyn Center
had made use of the mutual aid pact between the Fire Department and other
municipal Fire Departments had helped Brooklyn Center in fighting particular
fires because the other departments had more advanced equipment. The City
Manager indicated the City Council must consider the need for reciprocity in
mutual aid.
The Council requested additional information from the City Manager concerning
the various types of uses of the aerial equipment as well as additional information
on the mutual aid between Fire Departments.
The Director of Finance briefly reviewed a report on Federal Revenue Sharing Funds
yet to be allocated.
Councilmember Lhotka was excused at 11 :15 p.m.
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The Planning and Inspection Budget was reviewed a
Councilmember Lhotka returned at 11:17 p.m.
The City Manager stated the budget for Planning and Inspection contains a
recommendation for departmental expansion into the adjoining administrative office
conference room. The appropriation for the remodeling is contained in the Govern-
ment Buildings Budget. No additional staff has been recommended in the 1979
proposal. The Planning and Inspection Department will lose one -half of a clerk
II position with the anticipated termination of the Federally financed CETA program,
The Emergency Preparedness Budget was reviewed, The City Manager explained
the 1979 Emergency Preparedness Budget reflects no major change in activity from
the previous year. A significant portion of the Emergency Preparedness Budget
reflects local matching share for Federal grant programs, the revenues from which
are reflected in the revenue section of the Budget.
The capital outlay portion of the Budget reflects the anticipated acquisition of
certain Fire Department and Police Department equipment under the matching
share Federal grant concept. If the matching fund grants are not available, the
equipment would be purchased with Federal Revenue Sharing Funds. Council-
members expressed concern over the function of Emergency Preparedness because
of criticism which had been directed at the Office of Emergency Preparedness by
certain citizens. The concern expressed was that the Office of Emergency Pre -
paredness was not prepared to handle possible emergencies within the City.
The City Manager explained the Office of Emergency Preparedness worked
primarily through already existing departments within the City. Because of
the nature of the function of the Office of Emergency Preparedness, certain
people might be misled into thinking there was no activity within the Office of
Emergency Preparedness, The City Manager indicated this was not actually
the case,
There was a motion by Councilmember Lhotka ,and seconded by Councilmember Scott
to recess the Special Budget meeting to be reconvened at the Council meeting of
September 25 1978. Voting in favor: Mayor Nyquist, Councilmembers Kuefler,
Fignar, Lhotka, and Scott. Voting against: none. The motion passed unanimously.
There was a motion by Councilmember Lhotka and seconded by Councilmember
Scott to adjourn the meeting. Voting in favor: Mayor Nyquist, Councilmembers
Kuefler, Fignar, Lhotka, and Scotto Voting against: none. The motion passed
unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 11:33 p.m,
City Clerk M
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