HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 07-28-2009 SpecialAdopted Minutes
Special Council Meeting
July 28, 2009
Mayor Slavik called a Special Meeting of the Plymouth City Council to order at 5:30 p.m. in the
Medicine Lake Conference Room, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard, on July 28, 2009.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Slavik, Councilmembers Johnson, Murdock, Stein, Bildsoe,
Willis, and Black.
ABSENT: None.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Ahrens, Administrative Services Director Portner, Finance
Manager Bursheim, Accountants Mastey and Potz, Community Development Director Juetten,
Police Chief Goldstein, Support Services Supervisor Cox, Fire Chief Kline, Deputy Fire Chief
Springer, Park Director Blank, Public Works Director Cote, and City Clerk Engdahl.
2010/2011 Budeet
Administrative Services Director Portner reported on the preliminary budget and tax levy
scenarios. He discussed the proposed reductions to service and personnel as contained in the
staff report and requested comments from the Council.
Councilmember Willis discussed eliminating the $400,000 in seal coating from the general fund
budget, and the transfer of $300,000 in MSA funds from the street reconstruction fund to the
general fund. He doesn't support the transfer of the $300,000. He's unsure if he agrees with the
concept of eliminating seal coating. He stated regarding the funding street reconstruction, he
would be more inclined to increase the tax levy to match the needs.
Councilmember Bildsoe asked what the reasoning is for removing the seal coating of streets at a
cost of $400,000 from the general fund. - Public Works Director Cote replied that this is a very
high cost funded program in the general fund. It has value, but would have a negligible impact
on the overall pavement condition index.
Councilmember Bildsoe asked if the POST training for the Police Department would remain in
the budget. Police Chief Goldstein replied yes. Staff looked at City wide training and classified
the training as mandatory, core, and discretionary. The discretionary training was eliminated.
City Manager Ahrens noted that 13 positions have been eliminated in the general fund budget.
Of those positions, 10 are vacant due to retirements or attrition, and three of those positions are
currently staffed in the Community Development Department. The three positions in
Community Development are being eliminated due to the workload.
Adopted Minutes 1 of 3 Special Meeting of July 28, 2009
Mayor Slavik requested that there be further discussion on the street lighting and traffic signals.
The Council discussed the various scenarios as outlined in the staff report for the tax levy.
Councilmember Stein asked if there are figures for a 0% tax increase as he's unsure at this point
if he could support any tax increase. He would need to review what additional cuts would need
to be made.
In reviewing the tax impact on the average home sale value category ($384,400 in 2009 and
366,800 in 2010), Councilmember Johnson requested staff to provide what percentage of the
homes in Plymouth fall in this range. In fact, she stated it would be helpful to receive that
information for all residential categories. Councilmember Black added that she would like to see
the scenario for the 0% tax increase in this category.
City Manager Ahrens stated the staff could do the analysis for this category as Councilmembers
Johnson and Black have requested.
Councilmember Bildsoe stated he thinks the City will see a bigger decrease in the average home
sale value.
Councilmember Johnson stated in addition to her request above, she would like to know the
1 percentage of properties that fall in the $1,000,000, $2,000,000, $3,000,000 etc. ranges in the
commercial category. By receiving this information for both the residential and commercial
categories, the Council can know how many properties are being impacted with whatever tax
levy the Council determines.
Councilmember Johnson also requested information on what the allocations are for funding the
general fund (i.e. the percentage for residential and the percentage for commercial).
Administrative Services Director Portner stated for future reports to the Council, staff will
analyze the tax impact scenarios using "median value homes" and the "average home sale value."
Mayor Slavik.stated that Councilmembers frequently are asked by residents why the values of
their properties are decreasing but their taxes aren't. Councilmember Johnson agreed and stated
the Council needs to go through various tax levy scenarios in order to determine the impact to
residents as well having that information to share with residents when concerns are expressed.
Councilmember Willis stated it probably isn't realistic to make cuts, have a 0% tax increase, and
still provide adequate City services.
Councilmember Murdock stated that any type of tax increase is going to be difficult for residents.
She suggested getting closer to a 0% tax increase and move away from there if necessary.
Adopted Minutes 2 of 3 Special Meeting of July 28, 2009
The majority of the Council stated they aren't endorsing a 0% tax increase at this time, but they
want to go through the exercise to determine where the impacts would be to residents and know
which additional cuts would need to be made.
Mayor Slavik asked about the concept to charge athletic associations a fee, such as $10 per child,
for use of the sports facilities (i.e. football, baseball, soccer) which would bring in approximately
100,000 in revenue. Park Director Blank provided a handout to the Council that was recently
discussed at a Park and Recreation Advisory Committee's meeting. He stated rather than
charging each player a fee, the association would pay a fee per hour for field time which is
identical to how ice time is charged to hockey associations. He stated many of these associations
play in more than one city, and if every city implemented a facility fee per player, it could be
expensive. Councilmember Johnson stated that she doesn't support this proposed fee.
Councilmember Willis reiterated that he doesn't support transferring $300,000 from the street
reconstruction mind in MSA funds to the general fund. He stated he's unsure how to make this
up with a 0% tax levy increase.
Councilmember Johnson stated she supports the changes to the street reconstruction fund and
street maintenance fund in the general fund, and she's not opposed to bonding for street
reconstruction.
Set Future Study Sessions
The Council scheduled another budget study session on August 11 at 5:30 p.m.
There were residents present to discuss funding for sediment deltas on area lakes. The Council
informed those residents that funding for that item would be part of the proposed Capital
Improvement Plan (CIP) discussion. There is currently no funding in the proposed CIP for this
item. The Planning Commission would be conducting a public hearing on the CIP on September
2.
Adjournment
Mayor Slavik adjourned the meeting at 6:50 p.m
thgz' 4W
Sandra R. Engdahl, C'Clerk
Adopted Minutes 3 of 3 Special Meeting of July 28, 2009