HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 08-31-2000 SpecialAdopted Minutes
City of Plymouth
Special City Council Meeting
Tuesday, August 31, 2000
A Special Meeting of the Plymouth City Council was called to order by Mayor Tierney at
7:05 p.m. in the Public Safety Training Room, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard, on August 31,
2000.
CITY COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Tierney, Councilmembers Johnson, Brown, Black,
and Harstad. Councilmember Slavik arrived at 7:15 p.m.
ABSENT: Councilmember Bildsoe.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Johnson, Assistant City Manager Ahrens, Public
Works Director Moore, Civil Engineer Bot, Community Development Director Hurlburt,
Park and Recreation Director Blank, Public Safety Director Gerdes, Finance Director
Hahn, Finance Manager Jacobson, Financial Analyst Kohn, Finance Officer Supervisor
Leitner, and Deputy City Clerk Hoffman.
Manager Johnson stated the purpose of this meeting is to discuss informational items
related to the proposed tax levy for the final budget.
Street Reconstruction Analysis for improving Overall Street Conditions
Public Works Director Moore outlined options that would boost the levy for street
reconstruction and set 20 year plan. He reviewed a Council request for an addition of
200 thousand dollars per year to the fund over the next 30 years. He indicated that under
the current funding level, the City would be losing financial ground and that by 2007
streets would be in categorized in poor condition. He presented options with greater
increases in road repair budgets, as well as an option to remove all streets from a poor
rating would take 1.1 million dollars per year over a 30 year period.
Councilmember Slavik arrived at 7:15 p.m.
Councilmember Harstad asked whether seal coating would be necessary if no roads are
classified in poor condition by 2010. Public Works Director Moore stated that seal
coating is done on a seven year cycle, with necessary seal repairs and surface coating
within the cycle. He believes it is most important to keep spending on repairs over a
period of time. City Manager Johnson believes that the best time to make improvements
is before there is any damage to the base of the road, employing a mixture of street
reconstruction and pavement overlay.
Adopted City Council Minutes
Special Meeting of August 21, 2000
Page 2 of 4
Councilmember Harstad asked about the possibility of a 70/30 split in the ratio of City
and property owner funding for improvements and repairs. Councilmembers agreed to
study the policy at a future date. Councilmember Harstad suggested using money from
some of the surface water resource programs to aid in project funding.
City Manager Johnson recommended Budget Option "E" will promise some stabilization
in the long—term cost increases for street reconstruction projects.
Street Reconstruction Financing Policy
Councilmember Black asked that the City review street reconstruction financing policy
after new councilmembers take office, but before the next budget cycle. She suggested a
review of the maintenance of streets' value rather than the value for residents who have
may already had upgrade work.
Other Agency Funding
City Manager Johnson reported that staff has reviewed the City contributions to PRISM
and Interfaith Outreach/Community Partners. He said that an examination of the
population showed that 53% of the population lives west of Interstate 494 and is served
by Interfaith Outreach/Community Partners, while 47% east of Interstate 494 is served by
PRISM. Interfaith Outreach/Community Partners provides a higher volume service for
the community, and a 60 to 40 percent funding ratio appears to be more realistic. He
suggested an increase of 2,000 dollars more to PRISM. He recommended the increase to
PRISM be taken from the Home Shore program because a formula for that program is not
yet set up, and further, other opportunities for funding that program may come from the
County or the State.
Contributions to Plymouth Civic League
City Manager Johnson presented a request from the Plymouth Civic League for an
increase in the City's contribution. He said the request comes due to the loss of some
corporate sponsors of the League. He noted that the League has enough in reserve funds
to cover a 2,000 dollar deficit. City Manager Johnson is not aware of any other group
which raises such large sums. Councilmember Brown thought the League should be more
creative in fundraising. City Manager Johnson suggested the League has some
justification for the requested increase because the City does fund about one third of the
Music in Plymouth event. Councilmember Slavik noted that the League is also looking at
new events to raise money, such as a golf tournament, and `Taste of Plymouth' event
which would involve area restaurants.
Adopted City Council Minutes
Special Meeting of August 21, 2000
Page 3 of 4
Salary Distribution in the Public Safety Education Budget
Finance Director Hahn presented a revision in the proposed salaries for the Public
Education program in Public Safety. He reported the revision came due to a reallocation
of personnel within the Police Department.
City Manager Johnson reviewed a suggestion that the 15 remaining semaphores on the
periphery of the city be upgraded to the Opticom system. Public Works Director Moore
estimated the total cost would be between 150 thousand to 225 thousand dollars. He does
not really believe that much improvement will come with a complete conversion, with the
possible exception of the intersection of State Highways 169 and 55. Councilmember
Bildsoe said he would recommend the intersection of Highway 55 and Revere Lane.
Public Works Director Moore reported that bids for proposed upgrades should be
complete in October, with an option to an add an alternate bid which may be enough to
take on that intersection. He said that replacement is done by the State and County
departments on a periodic basis. Public Safety Director Gerdes did not believe that
replacement of semaphores on the city's periphery will reduce Public Safety vehicle
response time. Public Works Director Moore noted that not only do streets need to be
equipped with the Opticom equipment, but that vehicles must be also equipped, and have
that equipment activated. Councilmember Black asked if lights at the intersection of
Northwest Boulevard and County Road 10 would be upgraded. Public Works Director
Moore did not believe it would be automatically replaced, but he agreed it would be a
worthwhile project. Public Safety Director Gerdes said that the ideal time for use of
Opticom equipment is during the heaviest traffic. He noted that the goal is to allow a
green to clear traffic, not to allow a red to stop traffic. Public Safety Director Gerdes
suggested money would be better spent on radio equipment when the County's new radio
system is in place next year.
City Snow Removal Policy
City Manager Johnson reviewed the City's snow removal policy, and no change was
suggested.
Commute West" Job Fair Location
Councilmembers examined a suggestion to move the "Commute West" Job Fair from the
Radisson Hotel and Conference Center to the Plymouth Creek Center. They agreed
unanimously to continue to hold the job fair at the Radisson.
New Category Division of the Facilities Management Fund
Finance Director Hahn presented a new division of categories under the Facilities
Management Fund expenditures. He said the more detailed headings better reflect the
types of expenditures requested.
Adopted City Council Minutes
Special Meeting of August 21, 2000
Page 4 of 4
Truth in Taxation Hearing and Adoption Dates
City Manager Johnson announced proposed calendar dates for the Truth in Taxation
Hearing. He reported the best date appears to be December 4, with a reconvene date of
Monday, December 11, if needed.
New General Fund Revenue Pages
City Manager Johnson introduced new General Fund revenue pages with revised figures.
New Recreation Fund Revenue and Expenditure Pages
City Manager Johnson directed Councilmembers to new Recreation Fund revised revenue
and expenditures pages reflecting changes in funding for the Plymouth Civic League.
New Budget Memo with Revised Numbers
City Manager Johnson introduced a new budget memo which reflected revised numbers
for the budget and tax levy.
Adjournment
Motion was made by Councilmember Black, and seconded by Councilmember Harstad,
to adjourn the meeting at 8:25 p.m. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.
Kurt Ho , Deputy Clerk