HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 08-20-1998 SpecialAdopted Minutes
Special Council Meeting
August 20, 1998
A special meeting of the Plymouth City Council was called to order by Mayor Tierney at
6:10 PM in the Public Safety Training Room, 3400 Plymouth Blvd., on August 20, 1998.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Tierney; Councilmembers Johnson, Preus, and Black.
Councilmember Spigner arrived at 6:15 PM.
ABSENT: Councilmembers Bildsoe and Wold.
STAFF PRESENT; City Manager Johnson, Assistant City Manager Lueckert,
Community Development Director Hurlburt, Public Works Director Moore, Finance
Director Hahn, Public Safety Director Gerdes, Park and Recreation Director Blank,
Finance Office Manager Leitner, and Deputy City Clerk Hoffman.
Mayor Tierney announced that the purpose of the meeting is to review the 1999 proposed
budget.
I. 1999 Budget Overview
City Manager Johnson outlined the proposed budget. He summarized changes in
the tax rate classifications, and noted that the city continues to grow at a healthy
rate. He summarized the impact of the activity center bond issue on the budget,
and presented highlights of the operation budget for the proposed center. He said
that several items in the water quality plan will be included in the budget, both in
programs and in staffing requirements.
Councilmember Spigner arrived at 6:15 PM.
Manager Johnson outlined the city's tax rate history, and taxes paid on the
average home in recent years. He outlined market value trends, comparing 1998 to
1999.
Community Development Director Hurlburt stated that five sets of scenarios have
been done forecasting various levels of growth in northwest Plymouth.
Mayor Tierney asked that apartments be set up as a separate classification to
reflect the changes in tax rates, and the impact on the budget.
Manager Johnson outlined the major budget initiatives for the coming year. He
reviewed the status of the activities center/field house project, fire department
salaries, traffic opticon controls, and year 2000 computer compliance efforts.
Adopted Minutes
Special Council Meeting
August 20, 1998
Page 2
Manager Johnson explained water quality testing and monitoring and how these
fit in with the City's water quality improvement program. The funds from the
capital improvement levy are earmarked for work on the City's priority lakes, as
identified in the Water Quality Plan.
Councilmember Black asked about use of revenues from utility bills to fund the
water quality program than using general funds. Manager Johnson said that
specifics of the water quality improvement plan are not finally in, and it is unclear
whether utility fees will be needed for funding. He said the City may be able to
fund the program with no further tax, but it would be six to twelve months before
that could be ascertained.
Public Safety Director Gerdes reviewed staffing trends for the Public Safety
Department.
Community Development Director Hurlburt outlined staffing demands for the
Community Development Department.
Staff discussed traffic engineering issues.
Park Director Blank spoke about staffing of parks and beaches. He said there were
no budget plans to operate East Beach as a life -guarded beach. Councilmember
Spigner suggested looking into contracting with Life Time Fitness for lifeguards.
Councilmembers discussed with staff support for community arts funding. Staff
reported an increase in the number of groups and requests, and recommended
avoiding creation of city arts programs as such, but to give funding to the Fine
Arts Council and let them allocate funding to the various groups..
II. General Discussion on 1999 Budget
Assistant Manager Lueckert presented some of the new or expanded items in the
proposed budget.
Councilmember Spigner asked about a review of criteria for parks and designation
of restroom facilities. Park Director Blank said if a recreation program takes place
at a park, temporary facilities are put in place, if permanent ones are not at the
site.
Councilmembers held a discussion about funding for community agencies and
whether to ask groups to make presentations for funding requests later in the fall.
Councilmembers talked about setting up a criteria for funding requests and
directed staff to provide updates of community agency activities.
Adopted Minutes
Special Council Meeting
August 20, 1998
Page 3
Councilmembers discussed water treatment projects and the expansion of the
water distribution program.
Manager Johnson asked what issues and questions councilmembers might have
for the next budget meeting.
Mayor Tierney asked for information about levy limits for the City.
Councilmember Spigner asked for information reviewing council benefit options.
Councilmember Preus asked for priorities if cuts of $100,000 were needed, if cuts
of $200,000 were needed, and what items might be added if $100,000 would be
added to the budget. Manager Johnson stated that water quality program items
might be cut, because other revenues could fund them. He said if a budget
increase were considered, he would recommend examining the rest of level One
and Two priorities as rated by department directors and then Level Three
priorities
The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 PM