HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 08-29-2006 SpecialAdopted Minutes
Special Council Meeting
August 29, 2006
Mayor Johnson called a Special Meeting to order in the Public Safety Training Room,
3400 Plymouth Boulevard, on August 29 at 6:00 p.m.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Johnson, Councilmembers Willis, Black, Hewitt, Slavik,
and Bildsoe (arrived at 6:15 p.m.).
ABSENT: Councihnember Stein. Mayor Johnson left the meeting at 6:20 p.m.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Ahrens, Administrative Services Director McGann,
Park and Recreation Director Blank, Police Chief Goldstein, Fire Chief Kline, Assistant
City Engineer Beckwith, Lieutenant Webb, Lieutenant Franz, Lieutenant Lindman,
Lieutenant Plekkenpol, Support Services Supervisor Cox, Planning Manager Senness,
Utilities Supervisor Newberger, Water Resources Engineer Missaghi, Financial Analyst
Kohn, Recreation Superintendent Evans, Park Superintendent Peterson, and Deputy City
Clerk Hoffinan.
Mayor Johnson stated she would be leaving the meeting at 6:20 p.m.; therefore, Deputy
Mayor Slavik would be conducting the meeting.
Proposed 2007 Budget, Tax Levies and Proposed Capital Improvement Program
Administrative Services Director McGann discussed the proposed property tax increases
for other Hennepin County cities as well as the school districts in the City. She stated the
two areas staff would focus the discussion this evening would be the alternatives for the
Public Safety Department and proposed options for allocating additional funds towards
street reconstruction.
Police Department Strategic Policing Budget Request
Police Chief Goldstein provided a presentation on the current Police Department
organization and distribution of responsibilities. He presented four possible plans for
reorganization that would offer an opportunity to improve service delivery. Option 1
would be to add a full-time crime analyst and two police officers. Option 2 would use
full-time voluntary crime analysis from a retired department member, Bob Nesbitt, in
addition to hiring two police officers. Option 3 would also utilize the services of Mr.
Nesbitt, but would only hire one police officer and reassign an existing staff position to
patrol duty. Option 4 would adopt either Options 2 or 3, but would share a part-time
crime analyst with another agency.
Adopted Council Minutes
Special Meeting of August 29, 2006
Page 2 of 3
Councilmembers Bildsoe, Slavik, Black, and Hewitt stated they preferred Option 2 while
Councilmember Willis stated he preferred Option 3.
Street Reconstruction Program
Financial Analyst Kohn reviewed the street reconstruction projections for the next two
decades. He stated he ran projections based on an inflation rate of 5%, with projected
levy increases in 2007 at 9.45% and 10% thereafter. He stated if the Council adopts
Option 1, in order to keep up with the debt service, annual levies would need to increase
10% per year. Option 2 would rely heavily on debt, while Option 3 would rely less
heavily on debt. Option 4 could provide the possibility to taper off the debt.
Councilmember Willis stated the City should make a long-term commitment to maintain
City streets in better condition and make an effort to sell this philosophy to the
community. He stated he is unsure whether Option 3 or Option 4 would be the best.
Councilmember Black stated she would support Option 3 even though it would be very
difficult to promote in an election year.
Councilmember Bildsoe stated the City should identify issues with the streets and utilize
a bond referendum to address those problems.
Councilmember Hewitt expressed doubt that a bond referendum would be successful in
an election year where park funding is also on the ballot.
Councilmember Bildsoe agreed and stated it would be better to spend funds on projects
using current costs rather than waiting and approving 10% to 12% levy increases.
Councilmember Black stated she believes it is more important to avoid "loading up" with
bonding debt to work on a lot of streets in a relatively short period of time. It would be
more important to space out improvement projects over a longer period of time.
Councilmember Slavik expressed concern that approval of Options 3 or 4 would compete
with the parking funding referendum. She stated Option 2 might not be the best option,
but she would support it. She noted that she has heard more complaints from residents
about property taxes in the past year than about road conditions.
Councilmember Hewitt agreed that the public would be upset with a bond referendum,
and with the need for new road construction in Northwest Plymouth, she preferred to not
limiting projects. She stated she would also support Option 2.
Adopted Council Minutes
Special Meeting of August 29, 2006
Page 3 of 3
Water Resources
Financial Analyst Kohn stated there are currently a number of projected overruns in the
area of water resource improvements in the budget. He stated deciding on rejecting
individual projects are not as important as considering what sort of timeframe to handle
projects. He stated the major issue is whether to increase rates at some point or to make
the budget conform to present revenue levels.
Councilmembers reviewed projects and discussed funding. Councilmember Black noted
that Bassett Creek and Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commissions are
reviewing funding and would likely not be paying for phosphorus removal. She stated it
would be important for the Council to prioritize projects that are ready to proceed.
City Manager Ahrens stated that it's important to know which projects involve property
damage for residents and private property. She stated the Council should consider their
position in trying to avoid a rate increase.
Recommendations
Councilmembers Bildsoe, Black, Hewitt, and Slavik stated they would recommend
Option 2 for the alternative for the Police Department, while Councilmember Willis
stated he would recommend Option 3.
Councilmember Willis stated he would recommend Option 2 for additional street
reconstruction funding. Councilmembers Hewitt, Slavik, and Black also agreed, and
Councilmember Black stated she would like to see the City avoid bonding.
Councilmember Willis requested that staff prepare information on Option 3 as well as
Option 2 in consideration for the differing opinions of the Council. Councilmembers
agreed to review the options at the Special Council Meeting scheduled for September 5.
They also requested that the meeting begin at 7:30 p.m.
Adjournment
Deputy Mayor Slavik adjourned the meeting at ap roxuna ely 8:27 p.m.
Kurt Hoffman; Deputy City Clerk