HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 08-30-1993 SpecialMINUTES
STUDY SESSION
AUGUST 30, 1993
A special meeting budget study session of the Plymouth City Council was called to order
by Mayor Bergman at 4:30 p.m. in the Council Conference Room of the City Center, 3400
Plymouth Blvd., on August 30, 1993.
PRESENT: Mayor Bergman, Councilmembers Edson, Helliwell, Tierney, and
Vasiliou
ABSENT: None
ALSO PRESENT: John Sullivan, Financial Advisory Committee
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Johnson, Assistant City Manager Lueckert, Finance
Director Hahn, Finance Office Supv. Leitner, and City Clerk
Rauenhorst
1994 PROPOSED BUDGET
City Manager Johnson presented responses to questions raised at the initial budget study
session held on August 24. He reviewed the list of recommended new positions, including
salaries and fringe benefits associated with those positions. He stated there would be
savings in currently paid temporary salaries for four of the positions, and the three in-
house engineering positions would be funded through fees for service. Two positions
would be funded other than from the General Fund, and the proposed Community
Development Coordinator position would have an offset savings by elimination of the
current Development Services Technician position.
Manager Johnson stated that the net cost to the General Fund for all proposed new
positions is $319,041, and this equates to 6.29 new positions.
Councihnember Vasiliou referenced the request for two additional police officers who
would be part of the K-9 program. She stated that she was unaware at the initial budget
study session that a K-9 dog program was proposed for 1994. She stated that cities who
have dogs indicate that it is very expensive. The City of Wayzata recently discontinued
their K-9 program. Although Plymouth's public safety needs are growing, the city should
carefully analyze whether a K-9 program would be cost effective.
Mayor Bergman requested that information be obtained from similar sized cities that have
the K-9 program. He also suggested that this could be a program that could be cost
shared with other agencies.
Budget Study Session
August 30, 1993
Page 2
Councilmember Edson stated he shares concerns about entering this program without fully
knowing what is involved and all of the costs. He asked what type of a function the dogs
could perform on a day-to-day basis.
Manager Johnson stated that one obvious use of the dogs would be in
industrial/commercial situations when officers discover unlocked doors and a dog could
first be sent in the building. He stated that the greatest need is to get the committed patrol
time down, and it is very important that additional police officers be included in the 1994
budget, whether or not the K-9 program is included.
The Council further discussed the K-9 issue, and indicated that they would be very
reluctant to enter into this program unless the need and cost can be adequately justified.
Councilmember Edson suggested reviewing the issue with the Drug Task Force to see if
they have a dog available. He stated this would be an ideal program for a cooperative
effort.
Councilmember Edson questioned the funding sources for the proposed microcomputer
support position and the financial analyst position.
Finance Director Hahn stated the microcomputer support position would be funded
through the water, sewer and utility trunk funds. The financial analyst position would be
supported by the investment trust fund through increased interest earnings resulting from
better cash flow projections.
Councilmember Vasiliou expressed concern about the proposed commercial appraiser
position. She asked what specific duties this person would perform.
Manager Johnson stated that the City Assessor spends about 30 percent of his time doing
commercial appraising, but more could be done. The additional appraisals and analyses
could minimize surprises resulting from abatements and reduced values.
Councilmember Helliwell asked how often commercial/industrial buildings are appraised.
Finance Director Hahn stated that stafftries to appraise each commercial/industrial
property every three years. There is a more in-depth analysis on those properties involved
in a court rebate process.
Councilmember Edson stated that the City of Eden Prairie mails out a questionnaire to all
commercial properties.
Finance Director Hahn stated that this is done in Plymouth as well about every three years.
He stated it could possibly be done on a more frequent basis.
Budget Study Session
August 30, 1993
Page 3
Manager Johnson stated that the commercial appraiser position is currently contracted,
and the budget proposal would expand the number of hours of this contracted service.
Councilmember Vasiliou questioned if there could be a conflict of interest involved when
the commercial appraising is done by a firm also working in the private sector. She also
asked if doing additional appraisals each year would reduce court action or save the City
money.
Manager Johnson stated it should ensure that the city accurately assesses property, and
could eliminate court action in some cases. It should also allow staff to better predict
changes in value.
Councilmember Edson stated that street maintenance and public safety are top priorities
for residents. He requested a comparison of employees per capita of various cities, as well
as a comparison to the information in the financial trend report prepared by the Financial
Advisory Committee.
Councilmember Helliwell also asked for information on how much the city has increased
in population the past year.
The Council discussed the proposal for the three positions to do some in-house
engineering work.
Councilmember Edson stated that as long as the City does not pay more than what is
currently paid to consultants, this should be a financially positive step. He stated he would
also like to discuss where any "profit" received from engineering service fees should be
receipted.
Councilmember Helliwell stated that businesses are continuing to hire temporary
employees rather than full-time employees and she is concerned with adding full-time
employees to do the in-house engineering work. She believes the consultants have done a
good job.
The Council discussed the department justification for the positions of park maintenance
worker and data control/cashier.
Councilmember Vasiliou expressed concern that the data control position request was
based on the possible future plans of an existing employee. She asked if this position
could not continue as a temporary position.
Assistant Manager Lueckert stated that consistency and accumulation of information is
one reason to move toward a more permanent position. This largely aids the City in the
area of customer service.
Budget Study Session
August 30, 1993
Page 4
The Council discussed the request for six additional firefighters. Councilmember Vasiliou
stated she would like to see the city move toward a zone response system.
Manager Johnson stated that Plymouth is at the low end of the minimum number of fire
personnel per vehicle by federal standards.
Councilmember Vasiliou cited an article from American City and County which indicated
that advances in fire fighting are now largely through education, not through increasing
the number of personnel in fire stations.
Manager Johnson stated that some cities, such as Scottsdale, Arizona, have instituted a
very aggressive sprinkling ordinance.
Councilmember Edson stated this may result in fewer fires, but it would be difficult for a
city such as Plymouth to have a higher standard for sprinkling than its neighboring
communities.
Councilmember Tierney asked if the number of fire response calls is increasing.
Manager Johnson stated he recommends adding the six firefighter positions because
response time is slow by community standards and Plymouth is at the low end of the
number of firefighters per population.
Councilmember Edson requested that staff report back on Plymouth's fire rating because
the rates paid by commercial properties for insurance are largely based on that rating.
Councilmember Helliwell asked if there was a particular need at one station for the six
new firefighters, or where they would be assigned.
Councilmember Vasiliou stated that the City of Maple Grove once discussed the
possibility of having ajoint fire station with Plymouth near the Plymouth/Maple Grove
border. This could bean item of discussion for the upcoming joint meeting with Maple
Grove.
Manager Johnson stated the City also has a plan to acquire park land in the area, and it
may be possible to combine resources with the city of Maple Grove for that as well.
Councilmember Helliwell stated that she will support the additional firefighter positions,
however, she still has questions with respect to the clerk typist position.
Manager Johnson stated that this individual is needed to file fire plans and keep them up-
to-date.
Budget Study Session
August 30, 1993
Page 5
Mayor Bergman asked if the Fire Chief program has been implemented.
Finance Director Hahn stated that the data entry for the program will start soon.
Councilmember Helliwell stated that grant funds are available this year to train and
purchase dogs for the K-9 program, but she would like further information on the ongoing
costs.
Manager Johnson stated that staff will investigate the entire K-9 issue further and report
back. Staff will also provide responses to other questions asked by the Council at this
meeting.
Councilmember Vasiliou requested additional information on the funding requests
received from human service agencies. She noted that the Teens Alone program is new,
and asked staff to check if all cities in the 284 school district are contributing to this
program.
Councilmember Vasiliou noted that the proposed contribution to InterFaith Outreach
would be increasing somewhat; however, they are serving a major portion of the
community. She compared this to the proposed increase of 30 percent for Home Free,
and asked whether staff had obtained information on the alternate organization that some
cities are now using. She stated that Home Free receives about 50 percent of Plymouth's
contribution budget, and serves only about 150 residents. She stated this is a very
worthwhile program, but she wants to ensure that Plymouth is not picking up the share
from other cities leaving the program. She also questions whether Plymouth is meeting its
fair share of human service needs in the community.
Councilmember Edson stated he has concerns about large increases for the Northwest
Hennepin Human Service Agency and the West Hennepin Human Service Agency. He
would support reallocating some of the contribution funds if justified.
Councilmember Tierney stated she is concerned about the various human service agencies
taking on more paid staff and relying less on volunteers.
Councilmember Vasiliou concurred, but stated that InterFaith Outreach still guarantees
that $.86 of every dollar goes back directly to services in the community. She stated she is
also concerned about the administrative salaries of some of these agencies, as well as
duplication of services.
Councilmember Edson requested that staff obtain information from each agency
requesting funding for 1994 indicating what portion of their budget goes to administration,
planning, fund raising, and direct program services to individuals.
Budget Study Session
August 30, 1993
Page 6
Manager Johnson reviewed information contained in the budget on employee benefits and
salaries.
Personnel Coordinator Sobania reported on the State of Minnesota contracts. She stated
that the union agreed to zero percent the first year and 3 1/4 percent the second year;
however, all step increases will be granted both years. She believes that at least 40
percent of all state workers would receive an increase under the step system. She noted
that the state also pays 100 percent of single coverage and 90 percent of family coverage
for health insurance, which is more than the City pays. She stated there are questions on
the actual settlement percentages.
Councilmember Vasiliou stated she is opposed to setting aside a lump sum of money in the
budget for negotiating purposes. She would like a written report from staff on the results
of the state contract.
Manager Johnson asked if the staff can obtain information on what the state contract
actually contains, whether the council would consider a similar proposal.
Councilmember Edson stated he would be against assuming additional liability on the city's
part for dependent coverage for insurance.
The Council supported entering into multi-year contracts with the various bargaining units
this year.
Councilmember Tierney stated that the attorney's fees have increased over 25 percent
since 1991. She feels this is very high and should be discussed by the Council.
Manager Johnson stated that over half of the increased cost is related to criminal
prosecution.
Councilmember Edson requested that staff prepare a prioritized list of items totaling
200,000, should the council decide to further reduce the budget.
Manager Johnson stated that approximately $127,000 would need to be reduced from the
budget so that an average valued home would receive no city tax increase.
The Council set the next budget study session for noon on Sept. 9, 1993.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:53 p.m.
City Clerk