HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 08-12-1974 SpecialMICO
NUTES
SPECIAL COUNCIL NEETIRG
August 12,11974
A specia $ meeting of the Plymouth City Council was cal led to order by Mayor Hilde
at 7:3r: P.M,,1n,the Council Chambers of the Public Works Building, 14400 23rd Avenue
Hord+, Plymouth, on August 12, 1974. i
PKSENT: Mayor F,11de, Councilmen Hunt, Neils, Seibold anal -Spaeth, Manager Willis.
Engineer 6oidberg. Finance Director Ricker and Deputy City Clerk Bolnick,
ABSENT: None,
Mayor Hilde asked. Council members if they would be available for a dinner meetingg
with the Plannin•r Commission at 5:00 P,M,. Mon . August 2C prior to the Councll
meeting, g Councilmen states! they would be a!vai 1a le. and Maiiager Willis agreed to make
arrangements,
PROPOSED 1975 CITY BUDGETS
Mayor Hilde suggested the following procedure for the evening's consideration of the
proposed 1975 City oudgets: (1) discussion by Council of priorities; (2) Mayor's
comments on infl,,tion, as it relates to Plymouth; (3) discusflon of particulars frgsm
the staff memorandum of August 8. 1974; and (4) discussion o1 the budget itself,
Mayor Hilde and Councilmen Neils. Seibold .and Spaeth each stated their personal
ranking of the top four priorities. Conglomerate totals were arrived at which
established the following priority ratings: (1) Administration; (2) Finance•
3) Asitfssing; (4) Parks and Recreation. Building Inspection; (5) Fire; and 16) Planning.
Sper.ki nkl of the inflationary economic picture. Mayor Hilde stated that the City
is not cf the size or parer that it can affect the inflationary process. But, it
rust react by keeping the various revenue rates increasing in a business -like
fashion, While it 1s realistic to expect that taxes will rise, 1t would similarly
be foolish not to be realistic in the budgeting and not adequately fund necessary
services, He also stAted that the Council has heretofore been remarkably restrained
and responsible. Mayor Hilde asked for comments from the Council re these particular
points,
Tovnc i lman Neils stated that a mill rate target should not necessarily be a goal;
that consideration should be of what services are actually needed,
Councilman Spaeth agreed that there should be justification for cost$, but added
IV thmt if mill rate could be kept down that would be desirable,
Councilman Seibold also stressed the element of need. He said that If we need
something, do it M- despite inflation, If it is not necessary. it should not be
done just to keep pace.
Mayor Ililde asked for comments re the staff memora,idum of August 8. 1974, Councilman
Neils stated that he felt there might be a slow down in the inspections area. with
the advent of more larger industrial/commercin't buildings vs. single family homes,
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Manager Hillis and Councilmit Spaeth disagree6, stating that the larger hutldings
created a heavier work load.
Councilman Neils suggested that; the City might remaxw l ne' its bull`d1 ng pensi t fee
structure, for Hi l de stated that at sane future t1Aq. the Councilm4yr wi sh to
direct the staff to make a comparison to other titles, but that, reg rdless, the
City has always maintained a certain relationship between permit fee: and taxes.
Councilman Neils also expressed concern about the ,Engineering Department. He
asked If the Council wanted the department to en. 0ge in as mch it twhouse work; as
might be derived from the proposed budget. Again, he felt the fee str tcturr/ should
be reweval uated, with those compel l i ng the department growth' absorbing cos s..
Councilman Spaeth concurred with Councilman Neils' comments, and added~ ,/that he
would want substamtiatlon of all proposeO new staff.
KaYor Hilde asked Mr. Willis for the basis for his projection of, i3 -15t inflation
level for 1974. We Willis„replied that he had done trend line'anslysls.
Hilde also commented that the recremendati on re group life 1 re.urance sounded
right, but that he questioned the need for a proposed survey of the City's
rsonnel classification system and compensation plans. Ne said that there might
e a need to look at the sanitary sewer rates.
In reviewing revenue projections, Manager Hillis noted that no increases were
projected in license and permit fee rates. He stated that he could come back
with recommendations re those which the City would be allowtd to change. Mayor
Hilde stated that he would like to see such a report, Councilman Neils suggested
that it would be advisable to make an evaluation of cost relative to the fee charges.
Question arose re penalties and interest. Mr. Ricker explained that in the past,
all receipts from delinquencies went into the General Fund; now, if the funds are
from Special Assessments, 'they go into the Special assessment Sinking Fund. The
consensus was that it should st4y as proposed.
There was some discutslon re engicteeringg reimbursement charges on development
contracts. Mr. Ricker stated those wnies go to the Construction Fund, Councilman
Selbold stated that there should be a relationship to where energies are expended,
There should be reimbursemept to the Engineering Department for engineering work,
There was a consensus that: development contract funds should go back to the depart-
ment within the General Fund -;• not the Construction Fund,
Councilman Seibold expressed concern re projected surpluses in revenue. Mayor
Hi 1 de asked Mr. Ricker to • cane back to the Council with a report of estimated revenue
vs. actual revenue of recent years. Question also arose if the estimated surplus --
line 501, Contributions Received -- 1s overstated,
Mayor Hilde reminded the Council of its prevtovly stated intent to keep surplus
at approximately 20% of total operating budget, cr approximately $400,000. He
asked [%%ger Willis what amount would remain in surplus if the proposed budget
were adopted, Reply: approximately 5350,000, P4*,or Hilde' questioned lowering
the surplus level balo%t that level the Council sought, particularly looking to
the uncertainty of 1975.
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WON Was, wide by Councilman Neils, seconded by Minor Hilde, to reduce 11 no 501 tc
aPP i"t4ly $600040.
Councilman Mils stated that ze need to appropriate Jmore front-end .money, for things
like Citi Nall, Fire Station, etc, He said " woe d need a greater hedge and the
General Fund in better standing. Councilman Hunt disagreed with the sense of the
aotione saying that he felt more optimistic about 19750
MT10N we's wide by Councilman Bunt, seconded by Cuncilman Seibold, to amend the
motion by reducing line $01 to $1009000. Notion failed.'2 - 3. Councilman Neils
and Spaeth and Mayor Hilde voted nay.
Main motion failed, 3 to 2.\ Counctieen Hunt, Seibold and ,Spaeth voted nay.
Councilman Spaeth requested that staff report back the amount of General Fund
surplus as of this date.
Re expenses, Manager Willis statat that certain items entered in the budget ,of the
Mie.yor and Council for previous years had now been transferred to the budget of
the City Clerk, e.g. xeroxing, office supplies, etc
Councilman Hunt stated that he would like to comment further on the Council's budget
at a later time. He noted that he personally had attended approximately 116 meetings
over the cast year, approximately 52 of which were, hold in the City. He stated that
he felt the compensation was inadequate, and suggested that the Council, might conside
raising Councilmen's salaries to $350 and the Mayor's salary to $SM, Councilmen
Neils and Spaeth shared Councilman Hunt's concern, Councilman Seibold said that he
would not support such a rove for the following reasons: (1) the Councilmen knew
what the remuneration was when they took on the job; none saw 1t at a financial
advantage; (2) it would be unwise for the leadership to ask for a raise at this time;
and (3) it hurts the position of the Council at this particular time when it will be
trying to hold the line on all expenses.
Mayor Hilde recommended that the matter of Council remuneration be considered at the
time of determining the 1976 budget and made effective January 1, 1976, so the public
could react to this proposal at the time when four of the Council members were up for
re-election in the Fall of 1975. The Council concurred with this approach,
v4uncilman Hunt stated he may bring to the Council an alternative proposal in terms
of reimbursement for expenses incurred, Consensus was that this would be a preferable
approach, Councilman Seibold suggested that the City Manager provide information re
uniform costs for meeting attendance, etc., which are incurred by all members,
Re the City Manager's budget, Councilman Seibold stated agreement with the proposal
to add an Administrative Assistant position, citing the points made in the staff
memorandum of August 8, He also said such a person could add to office continuity
in cases where change mt2ht occur,
MOTION was made by Councilman Neils, seconded by Councilman Seibold, to tentatively
approve an Administrative Assistant in the City Manager's budget, Notion passed,
five eyes,
Council members decided to continue consideration of all proposed new personnel,
Re the Finance budget, it was proposed that a senior accountant be added who could
become involved with internal control accounting, Councilman Neils su99ested that
perhaps instead of adding more people, a look might be taken at having different
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tes of persons. Mr. Ricktr agreed that his departwt. was not interested in
Win numbers, but in adding quality. He stated that as of this date an individual
classified as Accounting Cleric II had left the City's employ, and that he could
be replaced Math a senior accountant.
NOTION was Dade by Councilman Hunt, seconded by Councilman Seibold. that regarding
the proposed ser+br accountant. Exhibit -A of the Manager's August 8, 1974 memorandum,
that the Manager be directed to reflect instead an the Finance budget an amount
needed to replace the person currently leaving the,Finance Department with a higher a`
quality person.
NOTION was ado by Councilman Selbold, seconded by Councilman Sapaeth9 to amend the
notion to _give the flexibility to the Finance Department to hire an individual at this
times
It was suggested that this sboeld be a separate resolution passed by the Council,
Notion was withdrawn by the Makers.
Main motion passeds five ayes R
NOTION waft grade by CounciAman SeiboYs seconded by Councilmen RESOLUTION NO. 74477
Spaeth, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 74477s A RESOLUTION DIRECTING
STAFF TO -TAKE SUFFICIENT FUNDS FROM ME GENERAL FUND TO HIRE
A SENIOR ACCWNTANT FOR THE FINANCE. DEPARTMENT. Motion carried
on a roll call vote, five ayes.
Re the proposed addition of an Appraiser I to the Assessing Department, Manager
Willis pointed out that at proximatet 500 • 800 new paraMls are added per year. The
current staff is not capal0 of handlinq the existing load, aside " any additional
load which might be created with growth in the cwrlj%ity. The "5x law" further
complicates matters in tl t it necessitates the kecpiny of two books.
MOTION was made by Councilman Spaeth, serondr4 by Councilman Seibold, to tentatively
approve the new position of Appraiser I for the Assessing Department. Notion
carried, five ayes.'
Re the Parks and Recreation uepartnent bddget, * Recreation Supervisor is being
proposed to relieve the load of the department director.
MOTION was rade by Councilman Seibold, seconded by Councilman Hunt, to give tentative
approval to the position of Recreation Supervisor for the Parks and Recreation
Department. Motion carried, five ages.
Re the Building Department budgets it was proposed to add a building inspector position.
Councilman Spaeth suggested that the City might charge a plan check fee, Councilman
Neils stated that as long as the cost is self-sustaining, the position is right.
Councilmen Hunt suggested contracting on a per plan basis for plan checking. with
none of that done by the Building Department personnel, Staff opposed this, seying
it would not be possible to do without in*office involvement. Mayor Hilde was
concerned about the costs being born* by the current homeowners. Councilman Selboid
stated that current h owners would also derive benefit in terms of enhancing the
community and improving, the tax base.
NOTION was node by Councilman Spaeth, seconded by Councilmen Hunt, to tentatively
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approve tyre position of building Inspector for Via Building DeOrtment. Ilotien
carried, four ayes* Councilman Neils voted nay.,
No the Engineering Department budget, It was p7,,nposed to add two new poli t ons
1) a Senior Engl neerl ng Technician, and (2) a F1 el d Inspector. Both perst ns
would be ,able to do field inspection work with developers, as', -well as City Amprove-
rent projects, One would further be of assistance to the City Engineer it terms
of reviewing plans submitted by developerse
W. -ION was made by Councilman Spaeth, seconded by Caumcilman Hunt, to tentatively
approve the two additional positions proposed for the Engineering Department.
Concern was expressed he the growth of the Engineerir:i ^epar ment. Councilman
Nei is stated that ne did not care how many wet* on the payrql s on a temporary
basin, as long as they are funded by why, is needed.
HDTION was made by Councilman Neils, seconded by Councilman Seibwld, to amend the
motion to Indicate authorization for one permanent and one temporary addition for
the year 1975. Motion carried, flour ayes. Councilman Spaeth vatsd nay,
Giain motion, as amen, carried, five ayes, -
Re the Police Department budget, a secretary was proposed for the atter six months
of the. year, This secretory would primarily tr`gnse 1he police reports, which are
not Uped by the police officers themselves, Thl s Q:oul d allow the policemen more
time out of the office. The present secretarial staff for the departmnt is
composed of one full-time secretary, and a school co-op} wirl who will work approxi-
mately"three hours afternoons once school begin*. It was sugggeested that instead
of a new secretary, another co-op girl might be hirQod, possibly for the morning hours,
MOTION was made by Councilman Nunt, reconded by Councilman Neils, that the position
of secretary for the Police Department be droppeo, and that in lieu of this position,
an additiona'i co-op person be secured by the City Manager to fulfill this function.
Not/on carried, five eyes.
from the Water Fund, 41 maintenance man was being proposed. Councilman Neils stated
ghat for this area, hf would like to ask the City Manager to take a closer look at
tete sewer and water department and the street department and their supervision one,
taro or three, years from now, and come back to the Council after this overall look,
He stated that perhaps the Council would not want a public works supervisor to
a0i nlster both struts and utilities, The Council might look differently at
where to add personnel and what kinds of personnel, Mr. Millis stated that he
cou',ild do so, but that it would not have bearing on this particular proposal.
Engioeer Goldberg stressed the need for this position, particularly re the water
treatment plant.
MOTIO was made by Councilman Hunt, seconded by Councilman Spaeth, to tentatively
approve the water maintenance ratan, Motion carried, four ayes. Councilman Neils
voted flay.
Re the 1A ty Clerk budget, a proposed part-time. clerical worker was proposed to assist
the Clerk, as well as provide overload help to the City Manager's and Planning departments,
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MOTION was made by \;ouncilman Smetho seconded by Councilman Hunto to tentatively
approve the part4ftf clerical position for the City Clerk's department, Motion
carried, three ayes.\ Councilmen Neils 'ar,l Seibold voted nay.
A mechanic's helper *s proposed:. to be funded Ub rough the Equipment Fund.
NOTION was We by Goan .i 1 man Hue,, seconded by Mnyor, Hi l
mechanics removed Pram ping jobs and -,hire someone to
facility, thereby leaving mechanics, to as mechanics work.
Mayor Hi lde adjouared the 1%unci 1 meeting at 12:10 A.M. r\
to have lthk present
intain th puKt works
Motion.- coiried. five eyes.
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Deputy City Clerk
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to have lthk present
intain th puKt works
Motion.- coiried. five eyes.
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Deputy City Clerk
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