HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 12-04-2006 SpecialAdopted Minutes
Special Council Meeting
December 4, 2006
Mayor Johnson called a Special Meeting of the Plymouth City Council to order at 7:00
p.m. in the Council Chambers, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard, on December 4, 2006.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Johnson, Councilmembers Willis, Hewitt, Stein, Bildsoe,
and Black.
ABSENT: Councilmember Slavik.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Ahrens, Police Chief Goldstein, Public Works
Director Cote, Park and Recreation Director Blank, Administrative Services Director
McGann, Financial Analyst Kohn, and City Clerk Engdahl.
Truth in Taxation HearinE
Administrative Services Director McGann reported on the proposed 2007 budgets and tax
levies.
Mayor Johnson opened the public hearing for testimony.
Debra Larson, 5600 Vagabond Lane North, stated that her property taxes have increased
18% over last year's. She noted that she is part of a homeowners association; therefore,
she doesn't receive any snowplowing or maintenance from the City. She stated that
corporate America merit increases have been held to three or four percent increases,
which affects discretionary spending. Therefore, she requested the City to also stay
within that range for increases to the property taxes.
Ann Ebbers, 17925 12tt' Avenue North, stated her property taxes have increased 13%.
She stated like Ms. Larson, she also has concerns regarding discretionary spending. She
asked if there were any items in the City budget that were discontinued. Mayor Johnson
replied staff and the Council have thoroughly reviewed the budget, and there are many
areas where the City is doing things differently and working smarter. She stated the
City's proposed tax levies are needed to maintain the core structure of the City services.
Dick Anderson, 10530 South Shore Drive, stated his property taxes have increased 15%
while he has only received two to three percent pay increases. He acknowledged that it's
difficult for the City to not increase certain items that they have no control over, such as
oil and gas for street reconstruction, but he requested that other items in the budget be
held to more of an inflationary increase.
Adopted Council Minutes
Special Meeting of December 4, 2006
Page 2 of 2
Scott Anderson, 11525 53'a Avenue North, representing Birch Valley Recreation
Association on Medicine Lake, stated their property valuation increased 22%. Mayor
Johnson stated that early in 2007, he would be receiving the valuation statement, and he
could contact the City Assessor and/or appear at the Board of Equalization meeting held
in April.
Richard Mickelson, 212 Union Terrace Lane, stated he has resided in the community for
30 years; however, he's concerned that he won't be able to afford living in Plymouth
when property taxes keep increasing. He explained that he's self employed, and he's
unable to give a double-digit increase to his customers. He requested that all City
departments place on a limit on their expenditures.
Mayor Johnson stated that Plymouth is one of the most conservative cities in the state.
Due to the City being so conservative, the City now faces a situation where additional
funds need to be spent on road and infrastructure improvements.
Mayor Johnson closed the public hearing and placed the adoption of the proposed 2007
budgets and tax levies on the December 12 Council agenda.
Adjournment
Mayor Johnson adjourned the meeting at approximately 8:30 p.m.
Sandra R. Engdahl, (Mty Clerk