HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 08-28-2012 SpecialAdopted Minutes
Special Council Meeting
August 28, 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 August 28, 2012.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Slavik, Councilmembers Wosje, Willis, Bildsoe, Johnson, Stein,
and Black.
ABSENT: None.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Ahrens, Administrative Services Director Callister, Parks and
Recreation Director Evans, Fine Chief Kline, Human Resources Manager Kone, Community
Development Director Juetten, Public Works Director Cote, Assistant City Engineer Renneberg,
Police Captain Lindman, Deputy Parks and Recreation Director Northway, Finance Manager
Bursheim, Accounting Supervisor Berg, and City Clerk Engdahl.
2013 Budget and 2013-2017 Capital Improvements Program
Administrative Services Director Callister stated this meeting is a follow-up from the meeting on
August 21 budget study session. He discussed the staff report which addressed the Council's
requests and questions from the previous meeting. Of the reports, a few items were further
discussed. Regarding Mayor and Council salaries for 2013, the majority of the Council requested
there be no increases. For curb raising and work and whether that should be funded from the
Water Resources Fund, the Council requested $300,000 be charged to the Street Reconstruction
Fund and $50,000 to the Water Resources Fund.
A discussion was held on the median maintenance. Currently, the Parks Department is
responsible for maintaining the landscaped medians on Zachary Lane, West Medicine Lake
Drive, Plymouth Boulevard, 36th Avenue, Peony Lane, and County Road 101. The County is
responsible for spraying and mowing County roads. The County contracts with a private vendor
to cut and maintain all of their roadway medians 2-3 times per summer season. The medians are
sprayed for weeds once per season. Because the weeds were so bad on County Road 9 this
summer, the Parks Department worked for a day and a half cutting median weeds. If the Council
is interested in taking on additional maintenance on County roads, the City would need to
contract with a private vendor. The estimated cost for spraying and maintaining existing
conditions-concrete/grass would be $12,000 while spraying and maintaining concrete and new
landscaped medians would be $25,000.
Adopted Minutes 1 of 3 Special Meeting of August 28, 2012
The majority of the Council stated that they support the $12,000 of maintenance, but this is a
topic that needs to be discussed in the future with the County Commissioners. Councilmember
Black requested that the maintenance of County Road 10 be included in the 2014 budget.
The projected cash flows for the 2013-2017 CIP were discussed, and it was noted that there needs
to be further discussion regarding the information technology balance, as that has increased due
to allocations.
Administrative Services Director Callister noted that staff is looking at new budgeting software,
payroll program for the Police Department, record management system, and digitizing microfiche
records. These enhancements would improve efficiencies in these areas.
The Council discussed the proposed tax levy increase of 1.94%, and if this was an amount that
the Council was comfortable in setting as the preliminary tax levy at the September 11 meeting.
The number can be lowered at the September 11 meeting but not increased. Staff noted that there
could be some future adjustments that would decrease that number.
Councilmember Wosje stated he's unsure if he supports that amount. He stated 2013 might not
be the best time to right size the Police Department by adding a patrol officer and community
service officer. He mentioned some major employers in the area that might be going through
another round of layoffs in 2013.
Councilmember Johnson stated that the Council can't always continue to keep a zero percent
levy. She stated the City needs to keep up with maintenance of the City, pay attention to
employees' careers, and financial participation.
Councilmember Bildsoe agreed that the Council needs to continue to invest in the City. Also,
right sizing the Police Department is enhancing public safety, and that's a necessary investment.
The department originally requested two patrol officers, but only one is proposed.
Councilmember Wosje stated he agrees with Councilmember Bildsoe, but he's unsure about the
timing and if 2013 is the best year to do it versus 2014.
Councilmember Black stated she's comfortable with 1.94%.
Councilmember Wosje requested a report from staff on when the City does overlays and
sealcoatings on roadways (what are the best options) and additional information regarding the
City's health insurance.
Future Study Sessions
The Council scheduled the following Study Sessions and topics:
Adopted Minutes 2 of 3 Special Meeting of August 28, 2012
1. September 11 at 5:30 p.m. —Major street funding options and Northwest Area
infrastructure funding.
2. September 18 at 5:30 p.m. —Yard waste site and plan for emergency utility repairs.
The Council stated they would conduct the quarterly update with City Manager immediately
following the Regular Meeting this evening.
Adiournment
Mayor Slavik adjourned the meeting at 6:57 p.m.
h4 J
andra R. Engdahl, Cio Clerk
Adopted Minutes 3 of 3 Special Meeting of August 28, 2012