HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 11-25-1991MINUTES
1992 PROPOSED BUDGETS PUBLIC HEARING
November 25, 1991
The public hearing on the 1992 proposed budgets
was called to order by Mayor Bergman at 7:00 p.m.
on November 25, 1991, in the Plymouth City Center
Council Chambers, 3400 Plymouth Blvd.
PRESENT: Mayor Bergman, Councilmembers
Helliwell, Ricker, and Vas+liou
ABSENT: Councilmember Zitur
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Willis, Assistant
Manager Boyles, Finance Director Hahn, Finance
staff members, and City Clerk Rauenhorst
Mayor Bergman announced that the purpose of the
meeting is to provide the public an opportunity
to hear a presentation on the proposed 1992 City
Budgets. Citizens will have an opportunity to
address the %;ouncil concerning their views on the
proposed budgets. The Council plans to adopt the
1992 budged and property tax levy on
Dezember 10.
Manager Willis prosented the proposed 1992 City
budgets. He stated that the budgets would be
financed with property tax levies in the amount
of $10,598,145. This is an increase of 2.64
percent over the 1991 tau levy. He preaented
information on the tax capacity rates and the
distribution of the property tax dollar.
Although the City's overall tax capacity value is
down from last year, the growth of tax value
because of new growth, as well as reductions in
several tax classification ratee, will result in
a tax decrease for most residential taxpayers in
their 1991 city property taxes. Exceptions to
this are likely for homestead properties in the
lower value ranges and commercial/industrial
properties.
He recommended that the fund for shade tree
disease control be moved to the neneral Fund for
1992 because the activity no longer justifies
classification as a separate fund. This will not
Budget Hearing
November 25, 1991
Page 452
change the fiscal or the administrative
accountabilities of the program.
The proposed budget includes a 5 percent increase
in sewer rates beginning in January. This
increase is largely attributable to the increased
cost of sewage treatment by the Metropolitan
Waste Control Commission. Even with the proposed
rate increase, the 1992 budget will require a
216,300 contribution from retained earnings.
He stated the Housing and Redevelopment
Activities (HRR) have been divided into three
components for budget purposes: 1) Community
Development Block Grant Programs (CDBG); 2)
Section 8; and 3) Senior Housing. A property tax
levy of $23,400 :s required to assist in funding
the CDBG activity in 1992. The budget also
proposes to levy $334,010 to support the prorosed
Senior Citizen Housing Program. If the Senior
Housing Program is ultimately approved, property
tax levies will continue to be required in future
years to assist in keeping rerts affordable for
seniors residing in the proposed building.
One additional employee is proposed for 1992 in
tl e Park Maintenance Division.
Mayor Bergman opened the public hearing cn the
1992 City Budgets at 7:17 p.m.
Wes Clemens, 5615 Evergreen Lana, represented the
Plymouth Civic League. He thanked the City
Council for their 1991 financial support of the
Civic League, and requested that the Council
appropriate a like amount for 1992. He noted
that 1992 will be the 20th Anniversary of Music
in Plymouth.
Ken Peterson, 14820 13th Place North, appeared on
behalf of the East Parkers Lake Improvement
Association. He expressed ccncerna a' -%out
Eurasian Water Milfoil in Parkers Lake and
requested that the Council fund the amount
proposed in thy pa:•k and recreation portion of
the budget for the treatment of milfoil.
Roas Tolbert, 1435 Kingsview Lane, also
represented the East Parkers Lake Improvement
Budget Hearing
November 25, 1991
Page 453
Association. He is in support o: the funding
currently proposed for the treatment of milfoil.
Marsha Videen, 1151 Kingsview Lane, requested
that the Coilncil fund the amount proposed in the
budget for treatment of Eurasian Nater Milfoil.
She stated the East Parkers Lake Improvement
Association wants to contribute financially
toward treatment and wishes to develop a system
for monitoring for milfoil return after
treatment.
LeRoy Reinke, 14411 County Road 6, stated the
legal fees expended by the City to date -
283,193, is a large amount of money in
proportion to the total budget. He stated the
staff members should do a better job of
monitoring their phone voice mail systems.
Callers don't know when a staff member is gone or
will return their phone call. Mr. Reinke stated
the City needs to prioritize aaawplowing routes
and do a better job us using equipment and
resources. He suggested that a committee of
business people be asked to evaluate the City's
operation so citizens get the beat value of each
tax dollar.
No one else appeared for the hearing. Mayor
Bergman closed the hearing at 7:29 p.m., to be
continued to December 10, 1991.
C ty Clerk