HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008 10-20 CCM Joint Work Session with Financial CommissionMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY
OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA
JOINT WORK SESSION WITH FINANCIAL COMMISSION
OCTOBER 20, 2008
CITY HALL - COUNCIL CHAMBERS
CALL TO ORDER
The Brooklyn Center City Council met in Joint Work Session with the Financial Commission
and was called to order by Mayor Tim Willson at 6:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Tim Willson and Councilmembers Kay Lasman, Mary O'Connor (arrived at 6:35 p.m.),
Dan Ryan, and Mark Yelich. Also present: City Manager Curt Boganey, Fiscal and Support
Services Director Dan Jordet, Public Works Director/City Engineer Steve Lillehaug, and Deputy
City Clerk Maria Rosenbaum.
Others present were Financial Commissioners Todd Boster, Mark Nemec, Susan Shogren
Smith, and Rex Newman.
BUDGET REVIEW ENTERPRISE FUNDS
City Manager Curt Boganey informed that he would like to have Fiscal and Support Services
Director Dan Jordet provide a PowerPoint presentation highlighting the Enterprise Funds.
Fiscal and Support Services Director Jordet outlined the following funds highlighting what each
fund consisted of, staffing, and the 2009 issues: Water Utility Fund, Sanitary Sewer Utility Fund,
Storm Drainage Utility Fund, Street Light Utility Fund, Recycling Fund, Centerbrook Golf
Course Fund, Liquor Operations Fund, and the Earle Brown Heritage Center Fund.
During the discussions of each fund, the cash flow and percentage increases for previous and
projected years were also outlined.
Some of the questions raised from the Council and Financial Commission members were as
follows:
• Why a four percent increase in personnel for the Water Utility Fund employees.
This increase was not only for wages; it also included benefits as well.
• What differentiates employees?
There are employees that require specific licenses and some employees are in a Union.
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• Why is the City paying $900 for office chairs?
The City is purchasing chairs that would be ergonomically suitable. It was suggested that
City staff consider reviewing other companies to research some cost savings of
ergonomically suitable chairs.
• How many times a year does staff check storm drains.
It is believed to be two times a year and this will be verified and reported back to the City
Council.
• What happens when funds dip to a low and a major event occurs?
There is an emergency cash fund available.
• What is the $100,000 cash transfer to the General Fund in the Storm Drainage cash flow.
This $100,000 cash transfer has been reoccurring for some time and the history will be
reviewed to determine what it has been for and brought back to the attention of the City
Council for their review.
There was discussion regarding the maintenance of street lights and the advantages and
disadvantages of having the City maintain operation/maintenance of all street lights. It was
noted that there are some cities looking at taking over ownership of street lights to cut down on
electrical costs; however, at this time it would not be beneficial for the City to take over
ownership of the street lights in the City.
There was discussion regarding possible inclusion of a curbside cleanup collection in Brooklyn
Center fees. Staff is assembling information about the costs and benefits of the annual curbside
cleanup program. It was suggested that minutes from past discussions regarding this issue be
provided to the Council since there are some Council Members that were not serving on the
Council at the time of the past discussions. There was one suggestion of this cleanup being done
every other year instead of annually.
During the discussion of the Centerbrook Golf Course Funds, it was noted that the cash flow for
this fund needs to find ways to cut costs or increase fees. There was a suggestion of having this
land estimated for park land use to have some type of comparison for the future.
There was discussion regarding the additional 1,350 square feet of space at the Xerxes Avenue
Liquor Store, and it was noted that an analysis of more exact numbers for product is being
prepared.
During the discussion of the Earle Brown Heritage Center Fund, it was noted that the cash flow
for this fund is not going to drop and this will affect the bottom line. This will be fixed before
the Council approval of the budget.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilmember Lasman moved and Councilmember Ryan seconded to adjourn the Work
Session at 8:53 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
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STATE OF MINNESOTA)
COUNTY OF HENNEPIN) ss. Certification of Minutes
CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER)
1
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The undersigned, being the duly qualified and appointed City Clerk of the City of Brooklyn
Center, Minnesota, certifies:
1. That attached hereto is a full, true, and complete transcript of the minutes of a Special
Session of the City Council of the City of Brooklyn Center held on October 20, 2008.
2. That said meeting was held pursuant to due call and notice thereof and was duly held at
Brooklyn Center City Hall.
3. That the City Council adopted said minutes at its November 10, 2008, Regular Session.
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City Clerk -11
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Mayor
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