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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978 09-27 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 27, 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 :10 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor Dean Nyquist, Councilmembers Tony Kuefler, and Celia Scott. Also present were City Manager Gerald Splinter, Director of Finance Paul Holmlund, Director of Public Works James Merila, and Administrative Assistant Mary Harty. 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 consider a resolution appointing a member to the Brooklyn Center Planning Area Citizen's Advisory Committee, which had been deferred from the September 25, 1978 City Council - meeting. The City Manager noted Mr. Vernon Ausen had been contacted and agreed to serve on the Citizen Advisory Committee. RESOLUTION NO. 78 -216 Member Celia Scott introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION APPOINTING MEMBER TO THE BROOKLYN CENTER PLANNING AREA CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by , member Tony Kuefler, and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: Dean Nyquist, Tony Kuefler, and Celia Scott; and the following voted against the same: none, whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted. The City Council recessed at 7 :15 p.m. in order to convene the scheduled HRA meeting. The City Council meeting was reconvened at 7 :45 p.m. following the conclusion of the HRA meeting. RESOLUTION NO. 78 -217 Member Tony Kuefler introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption RESOLUTION APPROVING A ONE -THIRD MILL LEVY FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEFRAYING THE COST OF OPERATION, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF MSA 462.411 THROUGH 462.711, OF THE HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER FOR THE YEAR 1979 9 -27 -78 -1- 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, and Celia Scott; and the following voted against the same: none, whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted. RESOLUTION NO. 78 -218 Member Celia Scott introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION ACCEPTING QUOTATION FOR LANDSCAPING (CONTRACT 1978 -Q) The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by member Tony Kuefler, and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: Dean Nyquist, Tony Kuefler, and Celia Scott; and the following voted against the same: none, whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted. The Engineering budget was reviewed. The City Manager noted the 1979 proposal for the Engineering Department comprehends no additions of staff. The capital outlay portion of the'budget provides for aerial mapping. The department intends to obtain milars from Hennepin County of mapping of the City on a half section format. The Director of Public Works commented aerial photos would be taken of the entire City. The photos would be purchased through Hennepin County through joint purchasing and would be utilized by several departments within the City Engineering, Planning and Assessing. The original of the aerial maps would be purchased in order that copies and transparencies could be made from the .originals. The Street Construction and Maintenance/Vehicle Maintenance budgets were reviewed. The City Manager noted the 1979 proposal for this department compre- hends no additions to the department's full time personnel. The City Manager explainer) the Street Division will be returning to a seal coating program of resealing every street on a five to seven year rotation. The Division had been on an accelerated seal coating program but the catching up phase of the seal coating program was completed. The City Manager noted the capital outlay portion of the budget provides for the replacement of a front end loader which deteriorated to such a point that overhauling the unit would be neither practical nor economical. In a response to questions from Councilmember Kuefler concerning the cost of street maintenance materials, the Director of Public Works explained the cost of street maintenance materials had increased considerably, some materials increasing as much as 55%. The Director of Public Works explained the cost of salt had risen from $12 a ton to approximately $18 a ton. In response to questions regarding personnel in this department, the City Manager explained the difference in personnel requested and recommended in the 1979 proposed budget was due to CETA terminations. If CETA is refunded, the positions will be restored. 9 -27 -78 -2- A brief discussion ensued concerning the organizational structure within the City of Brooklyn Center which places both the Street Department and the Park Department under the supervision of the Superintendent of Streets and Parks, Mr. Hank Davis. The Traffic Signals, Street Lighting, and the Weed Control budgets were reviewed. The City Manager explained weed control was charged out as a special assessment to property owners and comes back to the City as revenue. Additionally, an administrative charge of $10 is levied for each special assessment for weed eradication, Councilmember Kuefler suggested the City might wish to consider raising that administrative fee to $25. The Director of Finance indicated the fee may be set by Statutes. The Health Regulation and Inspection budget was reviewed. The Home Nursing budget was reviewed. The City Manager explained this budget provides funds for home nursing and certain other services provided through contract with the Suburban Health Nursing Services, Inc. The Director of Finance explained the Suburban Health Nursing Services had not yet set their budget at the time of this proposal, The Director of Finance explained it is anticipated the cost to the City fr�r set services will not exceed 40 per capita. That amount has been proposed for 1979. The Parks and Recreation budget was reviewed T P n g a e 19 79 arks a nd R ecreation budget proposal comprehends no additional personnel. In addition, the department will lose a landscape technician position upon termination of the federally financed CETA program. The 1979 proposal reflects the continuation of the Dutch elm . disease control program. Additionally, the 1979 recreation proposal reflects a continuation of recreation programs warranted by participation experience and continues the emphasis on user charges to finance the program. One of the capital outlay items recommended in the budget for the Park and Recreation Depart- ment is a coin counter. The coin counter is being recommended to eliminate the processing time which Park and Recreation staff spend counting and packaging change. In the past, Park and Recreation personnel transported change to the bank but this in itself is a costly arrangement because of the personnel time needed to transport the money. The purchase of a coin counter is more economical in the long run. Councilmember Scott asked for a clarification of the budget category for instructors. The Director of Finance explained there were two types of instructors used in the Park and Recreation Department. Instructors are categorized as hired under contract, or hired and reflected as part of the City's personnel, under the control of the City. The 1979 budget proposal comprehends all instructors hired under contract rather than reflected as City employees. In response to questions from the Council, the Director of Finance briefly explained the new telephone system proposed and the savings which will be garnered from p this new system. f 9 -27 -78 -3- Mayor Nyquist commented, in relationship to discussion on the Park and Recreation budget, he had received several complaints from citizens to the effect that there was too much emphasis on outside teams and outside groups using the facilities rather than local teams and local groups using the park and recre- ational facilities. The City Manager indicated that criticism had been discussed several times and it appears that many people living in surrounding communities play on organized Brooklyn Center teams or participate in Brooklyn Center groups. Additionally, criticisms of the use of baseball and softball diamonds, had been assessed. This issue was discussed at Park and Recreation Commission meetings at which the public was invited to attend and express their views. Very little response was received. Councilmember Kuefler indicated the Park and Recreation Commission has attempted and will continue to attempt to get a sense of the public on this issue and will recommend a change if they feel it is needed. Presently tile Park and Recreation Commission does not feel a change in policy is needed. The unallocated departmental expense budget was reviewed. The City Manager noted this appropriation is intended to provide funds for expenses which cannot be allocated directly to a City operating department. Included in the unallocated departmental expense is a provision for final wage and benefit adjustments for personnel whose positions are comprehended in this budget and a contingency appropriation. The City Charter provides for a contingency appropriation not to exceed 3% of the total general fund appropriation for a respective year. The contingency is analogous to a private business fund reserved for an unanticipated need of significance. The City Manager further noted the unallocated departmental expense budget is a new account for 1979. The cost of the City's insurance has increased dramatically in the last several years and now these increases will be reflected in - the unallocated departmental expense budget. Other items included in this budget are certain data processing costs, the training and conference budget, and the cost for the purchase and installation of the new telephone system for City Hall.. The City Manager explained, in the past, certain items were reflected in the City Manager's budget or the Council budget when in fact, this was an inappropriate place to list the" money, artificially inflating those budgets. Councilmember Scott questioned whether or not matching funds for the senior citizen's bus shelter could be taken from this budget. The City Manager explained the shelter should have been built but there was a lawsuit over the bidding process. The bidding process was handled by the Metropolitan Transit Commission. The City Manager indicated the City was prepared to undertake the project even if funds are not available from the service clubs in Brooklyn Center for the amount which Brooklyn Center must contribute to the building. That amount is 10% of the total cost not to exceed $500. In response to questions concerning the new telephone system proposed, the 0 City Manager explained there would be an approximate 40% savings of the annual service expense once the new system was installed which would be a net savings of approximately $15, 000 per year. Councilmember Lhotka arrived at 8:30 p.m. 9 -27 -78 -4- I The City Manager referred Council members to a memorandum which he had prepared for them concerning questions raised at an earlier budget meeting, The City Manager inquired whether there were additional questions on the issues raised in the memorandum. Councilmember Kuefler spoke concerning the question of detached workers. Councilmember Kuefler suggested the Council should consider making the detached workers part of the police budget. The Police Department has the closest affiliation and would be in the best position to make recommendations concerning the handling of the Detached Worker Program. The City Manager noted there could be a problem with placing the detached workers within the Police Department budget because of a possible question as to whether or not the detached workers are "essential employees" as defined in the Public Employees Labor Relations Act. Part of the criteria in determining whether or not a particular employee is an essential employee is the budget. Councilmember Kuefler indicated he also was concerned with this and withdrew his original suggestion. Councilmember Kuefler asked for a clarification concerning the additional people added in Public Utilities and Finance. Councilmember Kuefler questioned whether or not additional personnel were needed in light of the fact that the Finance Department was becoming increasingly computerized. The Director of Finance explained, prior to computerization of the utility billing, 2 -1/2 to 3 people were employed in the utility billing function. With the addition of one person in the utility billing area, there are now two people. The Director of Finance noted additional services are being provided. The Chief's Accountant position, as proposed, would include work in the utility billing area as well as internal auditing. Mayor Nyquist inquired whether or not the City Manager, after approximately one year in the position, was in a position to evaluate whether or not there was excess personnel in the City. The City Manager indicated it did not appear there was excess personnel in the City. In discussion of the aerial pumper ladder as proposed in the Fire Protection budget, Councilmember Kuefler indicated he had spoken with Councilmember Fignar and Councilmember Fignar favors the purchase of the aerial pumper ladder. Councilmember Kuefler noted he favored the telescoping aerial ladder with the prepiped deluge because this piece of equipment appears to be the soundest type of aerial equipment. In discussion of the budget for Legal Counsel, the Director of Finance recommended increasing the legal counsel budget as per the suggested amount in the City Attorney's memorandum. The Director of Finance indicated it would be possible to include the additional amount in the budget because of certain increased projected revenues and the fact that an additional police officer was not being hired, which leaves 9 -27 -78 -5- money which would have been used to send the new officer to recruit school. The Council briefly discussed the summary of the proposed 1979 appropriations by object classifications for all budgeted City funds. The Council recessed at 9:20 p.m. and reconvened at 9 :30 p.m. Councilmember Kuefler stated he would like to see taxes reduced to approximately a 7% increase over last year. Councilmember Kuefler noted he understood certain parts of the budget had increased considerably and that those increases were unavoidable such as workmen's compensation and pensions. He suggested possibly reducing the amount proposed for the contingency fund if a large part of the $85,000 in the 1978 contingency fund would be carried over to 1979. He noted he felt departmental budgets were as lean as they could be. Councilmember Scott noted she was satisfied with the budget as proposed. The Director of Finance stated contingency needs are difficult to predict. In the last three years the City of Brooklyn Center has been fortunate in not having to dip into surplus funds. He further noted certain items are not budget after thoughts but certain opportunities arise after the budget has been adopted which can be of real benefit to the City if the City has the money to take advantage of those opportunities. Additionally, departments are instructed not to build contingencies into their own departmental budgets because the City does establish a City contingency fund. The Director of Finance has carefully evaluated the spending patterns of the City departments and there is not a rush to spend funds at the year end. CouncilmembeL Kuefler also asked whether it would be appropriate to take the insurance proceeds from the old CEAP building and put that money into the general fund. The City Manager noted it was his recommendation to put that insurance money in the capital improvement funds so as not to artificially inflate the general fund for one year. Councilmember Lhotka noted he was satisfied with the budget as proposed. Councilmember Kuefler indicated, after listening to comments by the City Manager and the Director of Finance, he was convinced that the contingency fund should be left as proposed. He added it was his desire to reduce the mill levy but he did not have a recommendation as to where the reduction could be realized. Councilmember Kuefler asked the Council whether or not they wished to address the LEAP issue in the budgeting process. Councilmember Lhotka indicated it was his feeling the award given at an earlier Council meeting for $115,000 was the final award and the agreed upon award. Councilmember Scott noted she did not feel the Council had "done right" by CEAP. She stated the situation does not look good for CEAP, because of the possibility of the need for a site and having to purchase the land for a site. 9 -27 -78 -6- Councilmember Scott asked whether the use of Community Development funds was being checked. The City Manager noted staff wa.. checking whether Community Development funds could be used for CEAP but timing may be a problem. Councilmember Scott also asked A7hether or not the interest which accrued on the $115,000 before the money was actually given to CEAP could also be given to LEAP. The Director of Finance noted that would be a policy decision. In further discussion, the Council concurred the proposed budget was acceptable. RESOLUTION NO. 78 -219 Member Celia Scott introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE 1979 BUDGET The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by member Tony Kuefler, 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. 78 -220 Member Gene Lhotka introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE A TAX LEVY FOR 1979 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. RESOLUTION NO. 78 -221 Member Tony Kuefler introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION TO CANCEL LEVY PREVIOUSLY CERTIFIED TO THE COUNTY AUDITOR 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. RESOLUTION NO. 78 -222 Member Gene Lhotka introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION TO CANCEL LEVY PREVIOUSLY CERTIFIED TO THE COUNTY AUDITOR 9 -27 -78 -7- The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by member Tony Kuefler, 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 Scott and seconded by Councilmember Kuefler to adjourn the Special Session. Voting in favor: Mayor Nyquist, Councilmembers Kuefler, Lhotka, and Scott. Voting against: none. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 10 :06 p.m. l' a yr✓ Clerk Ma /4� 9 -27 -78 -8-