HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 05-22-2012 SpecialAdopted Minutes
Special Council Meeting
May 22, 2012
Mayor Slavik called a Special Meeting of the Plymouth City Council to order at 5:30 p.m. in the
Medicine Lake Room, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard, on May 22, 2012.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Slavik, Councilmembers Wosje, Willis, Bildsoe, Stein, and Black.
ABSENT: Councilmember Johnson.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Ahrens, Human Resources Manager Kone, Human Resources
Coordinator Moreen, Finance Manager Bursheim, Administrative Services Director Callister,
Fire Chief Kline, Community Development Director Juetten, Public Works Director Cote, Parks
and Recreation Director Evans, Police Chief Goldstein, Deputy Police Chief Plekkenpol, and
City Clerk Engdahl.
2011 General Fund Surplus Allocation
Administrative Services Director Callister and Finance Manager Bursheim highlighted their
report contained in the packet materials regarding the financial review for year ending
December 31, 2011 and $2,545,763 available in surplus funds. They referenced two proposed
resolutions. The first resolution would transfer $2,545,763 from the general fund to the street
reconstruction fund, and the second resolution would transfer $10,000 from the park and
recreation fund to resource planning for the Millennium Garden and $20,000 from the general
fund to the resource planning for the comprehensive plan.
By request of Mayor Slavik, Public Works Director Cote discussed what the current funding need
is for the street reconstruction program.
Motion was made by Councilmember Bildsoe and seconded by Councilmember Black to adopt
a Resolution AWroving Transfer of $2,545,763 from the General Fund to the Street
Reconstruction Fund (Res2012-159) and a Resolution Approving Transfers between Funds
Res2012-160). With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.
Finance Manager Bursheim handed to the Council a budget schedule that proposes a Council
budget study session on August 21 and a second one on August 28 if needed.
Councilmember Willis stated that if staff is recommending changes to the preliminary adopted
2013 budget, that a narrative on what was changed and a rationale estimate on how the City will
end the year be given. With those projections, the tax levy doesn't have to be quite so high. He
stated he could support a 2% increase in the tax levy.
Adopted Minutes 1 of 3 Special Meeting of May 22, 2012
Councilmember Wosje stated Council and staff should be conscientious that the economy could
go back into a recession. Therefore, the City should continue to look at ways to cut expenditures
and keep the tax base flat.
Councilmember Black stated the Council has kept the tax levy at 0% for quite some time. She
stated she's concerned about long term effects on staff, and the City really needs to take a look at
staffing that the City hasn't had for a long time. She's mindful of a 2% tax levy, but one can only
hold things at zero so long.
Councilmember Bildsoe stated he agrees with all the comments. He stated he's optimistic that
the City will be seeing more revenue from the development side.
Mayor Slavik stated she could support a 2% tax levy, but she would like to see it a little lower.
Administrative Services Director Callister stated that he's starting the process for a 10 -year
rolling budget that will build in inflation, expenses, operating capital, and values of homes. This
type of document would track what it means for levy increase. It also allows the Council and
staff to plan for big projects now or even deficits with funds.
Loss Control Program
Human Resources Manager Kone and Human Resources Coordinator Moreen discussed with the
Council the report in the packet materials that covered 2010-2012 claims for workers
compensation, property, liability, and auto insurance coverage.
A considerable amount of discussion was held relative to the number of workers compensation
claims from the police department. Police Chief Goldstein stated the City's claims are fairly
consistent with other cities. The majority of police injuries occur during required fitness training.
Staff has been working with League of Minnesota Cities to mitigate those issues in order to
reduce the number of claims. He stated currently, the police department has five employees who
are out due to workers compensation claims.
City Manager Ahrens commented that workers compensation claims have decreased in the public
works and park maintenance departments. Monthly training is provided to those employees.
A discussion was held on the lifting assistance calls that the police and fire departments respond
to. Occasionally, there are workers compensation claims that result from these calls. The City
utilizes a lifting device for obese individuals.
Mayor Slavik stated she would interested in knowing what the amount of lost time versus
medical costs is for workers compensation claims.
Adopted Minutes 2 of 3 Special Meeting of May 22, 2012
Future Study Sessions
The Council scheduled a budget study session on August 21 at 6:00 p.m.
Councilmember Black stated she and City Manager Ahrens recently attended a Minnesota
Department of Transportation corridor investment meeting in Maple Grove. She requested the
Council schedule a study session in the future to discuss transportation improvements to primary
corridors. This item was added to the study session list.
Adjournment
Mayor Slavik adjourned the meeting at 6:55 p.m.
Sandra R. Engdahl, Uity Clerk
Adopted Minutes 3 of 3 Special Meeting of May 22, 2012