Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 09-10-2001 SpecialAdopted Minutes Special Council Meeting September 10, 2001 A Special Meeting of the Plymouth City Council was called to order by Mayor Tierney at 7:00 p.m. in the Public Safety Training Room, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard, on September 10, 2001. COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Tierney, Councilmembers Johnson, Hewitt, Stein, Black, and Slavik (arrived at 5:10 p.m.) ABSENT: Councilmember Harstad. STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Johnson, Assistant City Manager Ahrens, Park and Recreation Director Blank, Community Development Director Hurlburt, Public Works Director Faulkner, Finance Director Hahn, Finance Office Supervisor Leitner, Fire Chief Kline, Acting Police Chief Twaddle, and City Clerk Paulson. City Manager Johnson explained that at the September 4 Budget Study Session, the Council requested two additional budget options from staff that included: 1. Reduce the general fund spending increase to 6.7%, the same as the 2001 increase. 2. Reduce the general fund spending increase to 6.6%. He stated that staff has verified that a total additional adjustment of $82,681 would be needed to accomplish the 6.7% goal and a total of $101,339 would be required to meet the 6.6% option in addition to the previously identified amount of $2,500. He stated that during that prior discussion, a goal was established to identify budget adjustments that would not simply defer spending needs to a future year and would not create any need for higher taxes in 2003 and beyond. He stated staff has recommended that the following adjustments be made to reach a 6.7% general fund spending increase: 1. Reduce the election budget by $30,150 and convert to a plan to fund the elections evenly each year, even though the major election costs occur only every other year. The 30,150 needed for 2002 would be obtained from a $32,000 election equipment reserve which is no longer necessary due to the County owning the election equipment. 2. Move the police grants and related expenditures into a separate fund outside of the general fund so it would not appear to be new, permanent, tax supported spending. The 2002 budget proposal contained an increase in spending for police of $44,571 for alcohol compliance, tobacco compliance, and auto theft prevention. Grants would be covering all of the increased costs, but this expenditure was new for 2002 and made the overall general fund budget appear to be increasing more than normal. Adopted City Council Minutes Special Meeting of September 10; 2001 Page 2 of 4 3. Reduce the social service budget by $979 by not allowing any increase for any agency for 2002 except for North Hennepin Mediation budget which was funded for only one- half year in 2001. 4. Reduce the reforestation budget by $7,000. Two major developments would be paying restitution in the year 2002 since they wouldn't meet the City's Tree Preservation Policy. He stated the above four items would total $82,700, which would achieve the option of reducing the general fund spending to the 6.7% level. He explained the following additional suggestions are made to achieve the alternative 6.6% spending increase if the Council so desires: 5. Decrease the sealcoating budget by $7,000 which would bring the funding level back to the 2001 amount. 6. Move the $13,000 budgeted for the removal of geese to the water resources fund to be paid for by the surface water fee recently implemented. The Environmental Quality Committee and the City's water quality plans have identified that this is an important activity to continue to protect the City's lakes and ponds. He stressed that all six adjustments would have very little impact on current services, operations, and programs. Mayor Tierney requested further clarification on the police grants. City Manager Johnson stated that the Council approves grants. Staff views grants as a special revenue fund where the overtime and temporary expenditures are made. He noted that some grants such as the civil defense grant should remain in the general fund as it is offset by the emergency management area. Mayor Tierney asked if the City is arbitrarily raising or lowering the amounts requested by the Northwest Hennepin Human Services and the Communities in Collaboration. Assistant City Manager Ahrens replied the policy has been to fund one-half of the Northwest Human Services' request as they serve the northeast portion of the City. She noted that the Plymouth representative who serves on this board also provides input on whether the amount should be increased. Councilmember Hewitt is currently serving as the City's representative. She stated the requested amount is based on the census per capita figures for each of the cities. She noted that the Communities in Collaboration also use this same method. Adopted City Council Minutes Special Meeting of September 10, 2001 Page 3 of 4 Mayor Tierney asked if the other cities are contributing amounts based on the census figures. Assistant City Manager Ahrens replied that the cities of Medicine Lake, Plymouth, Wayzata, Minnetonka, and Medina all contribute; however, the remaining cities in School District 284 don't contribute. Councihnember Stein questioned the proposed horticulture expenditure for the Fire Department. Fire Chief Kline replied that is for landscaping around Fire Station No. 2. Mayor Tierney commented that decreasing the allocation for sealcoating by $7,000 is unnecessary. Regarding the removal of geese, Mayor Tierney and Councilmember Johnson stated they support this item being paid from the water resources fund. Motion was made by Councilmember Black, and seconded by Councilmember Johnson to request staff to prepare a Resolution for the September 11 Council meeting incorporating the six items as listed above to achieve the goal of 6.6% general fund spending increase. Councilmember Hewitt stated she doesn't support decreasing the budget for the sealcoating program. Councilmember Johnson asked how often staff reviews the revenue income. Community Development Director Hurlburt explained that staff doesn't prepare a forecast every month, and it is difficult to analyze the figures until after the first six months of the year. Councilmember Slavik asked how the sealcoating program would be affected if the budget were decreased for that item. Public Works Director Faulkner replied that $7,000 is only 5% of the $143,000 budgeted for the sealcoating program. Therefore, the impact would not be significant. Mayor Tierney stated she is very concerned about developing a lean budget that could result in future problems. City Manager Johnson stated prior to assembling the budget, the City had the lowest tax rate of any city over 10,000 in population. He noted that staff prepared a survey of 36 cities to determine how many cities would be levying back the loss of HACA Homestead and Agricultural Credit Aid) funds as well as levying to the levy limit. He stated 100% of the cities intend to levy back for the loss of HACA funds, and half of the cities would be levying to the maximum levy maximum levy limit. Adopted City Council Minutes Special Meeting of September 10, 2001 Page 4 of 4 Motion was made by Councilmember Stein, and seconded by Councilmember Hewitt to amend the main motion to remove items 5 and 6 from the list of items. Councilmember Stein stated that he would support moving the $7,000 for the sealcoating program to another street repair budget if necessary, but he didn't want to decrease the budget by $7,000. He also feels that it's not appropriate to include the removal of geese in the water resources fund. With Slavik, Johnson, Black, and Tierney voting no, and Hewitt and Stein voting yes, the motion failed. Motion was made by Mayor Tierney, and seconded by Councilmember Slavik to amend the main motion to remove item No. 5 from the list of items and place the $7,000 in the street reconstruction fund. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. The Council voted on the amended main motion. With all members voting in favor but Hewitt, the motion carried. Adiournment Motion was made by Councilmember Slavik, and seconded by Councilmember Stein. to adjourn the meeting at 5:50 p.m. With all memb s voting in favor, e motion carried. Sandra R. Paulson, City Clerk