HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 11-22-1993 SpecialMINUTES
STUDY SESSION
NOVEMBER 22, 1993
A special meeting study session of the Plymouth City Council was called to order by
Mayor Bergman at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Conference Room of the City Center, 3400
Plymouth Blvd., on November 22, 1993.
PRESENT: Mayor Bergman, Councilmembers Edson, Tierney, and Vasiliou.
Councilmember Helliwell arrived at 5:40 p.m.
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Johnson, Assistant City Manager Lueckert,
Community Development Director Hurlburt, Park Director Blank,
Public Works Director Moore, Police Support Services Supervisor
Cox, Assistant Finance Director Jacobson, Finance Office
Supervisor Leitner, and City Clerk Rauenhorst
1994 PROPOSED BUDGET - HUMAN SERVICE AGENCIES
Manager Johnson stated that the City Council had requested further information on
service delivery, and planning activities of the human service agencies funded by the City
of Plymouth.
Patricia Wilder, Executive Director of Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council,
explained the history of the organization. She stated the organization serves fifteen cities
including Plymouth. She stated their main purpose is to provide good information to
decision makers such as school districts and cities, and comprehensive surveys regarding
human services are conducted every three years.
Councilmember Helliwell arrived at 5:40 p.m.
Ms. Wilder described some of the activities with which the Northwest Hennepin Human
Services Council is involved. Ms. Wilder stated they have produced a resource directory,
as well as developed a self-esteem drawing book for children. The organization did a lot
of work on the Head Start location decisions, including study of transportation routes near
transportation dependent persons. She stated they assisted the City of Plymouth HRA in
developing the Comprehensive Housing Assistance Study (CHAS). Ms. Wilder stated
that Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council administered the Pointe Northwest
Program for 2-1/2 years. In 1991 this program served 97 runaway youth in Plymouth.
This program is now contracted out.
Council Study Session
November 22, 1993
Page 2
Ms. Wilder stated that the Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council administers the
Surplus Commodities Program and coordinates the Success by Six Program. They
sponsor forums for a local mental health committee, elderly committee, and children's
committee. She stated that a market value study of what their services are worth indicated
that for each dollar spent, the community receives $34.19 in services.
In response to a question by Councilmember Tierney, Ms. Wilder stated that this human
service agency serves all of Plymouth for surplus commodities and emergency services.
It was noted that West Hennepin Human Services Agency administers energy assistance
programs for the entire city.
Councilmember Vasiliou asked how many staff members are employed and if services are
duplicated.
Ms. Wilder stated there are 6.5 employees. She stated that their agency is the only place
to get some of the services provided. They are established to be a service of last resort.
Councilmember Vasiliou noted that the Teens Alone Program is coming to the western
suburbs, and she asked if Northwest Hennepin Human Services would be involved in that
program.
Ms. Wilder stated no, and noted that one of the main purposes of the human service
agencies is to avoid duplication of services. She stated that the western suburbs are
relatively under -served so service duplication is generally not a problem.
HRA BUDGET REVIEW
Manager Johnson presented the proposed HRA budget.
Community Development Director Hurlburt described a number of proposed changes to
the CDBG Program budget. She stated one major change is to reflect the real cost of
administering the CDBG Program in the budget. In the future, the HRA will need to
allocate more of its allocation from HUD for administration. She stated the budget
reflects all of the active CDBG projects, and notes the money carried over from previous
years in the program.
Director Hurlburt stated that under the HUD guidelines, an organization should not have
more than about 1-1/2 years of allocation built up. She stated that Plymouth currently has
about 2-1/2 years. She stated the HRA is showing HUD the ways in which the previous
years allocations will be spent. She still anticipates that about $100,000 will be carried
over into 1995 from 1994. She stated another change in the HRA budget is that the
CDBG Fund includes a contingency of $50,000 to give flexibility to the HRA.
Council Study Session
November 22, 1993
Page 3
A gentleman in the audience asked if the 1993 estimated expenditures are used to base the
projected 1994 expenditures.
Assistant Finance Director Jacobson stated that the Finance staff looked at the budget
balances at the end of September, and projected through year end. That amount is the
projected estimate for 1993. Assistant Jacobson stated that it is important that the City
provide a plan to HUD as to how the CDBG Funds will be used. If they are not spent, at
some point the City could lose the funds designated to Plymouth.
Director Hurlburt explained that the program was administered through Hennepin County
in the past. When the program was turned over to the City several years ago, a fairly large
unspent balance resulted. She explained that the HRA holds public hearing on where the
CDBG Funds will be allocated each year.
Councilmember Edson noted that there is only one new program proposed in the CDBG
area. That is the Community Home Program/Community Action for Suburban Hennepin.
He also explained that $140,000 of the $220,000 increased service budget, is really money
that was spent in 1992 for construction of South Shore Park. He stated the project is
completed, but the fund transfers are not completed.
Director Hurlburt stated the Section 8 budget has been amended to differentiate between
operating expenses for Plymouth Section 8 Certificates and those under the affordability
provisions.
Councilmember Edson stated that initially he was somewhat concerned with the proposed
50,000 CDBG contingency amount. However, any allocation of those funds would
require a public hearing other than for programs previously approved.
GENERAL REVIEW OF BUDGET AND LINE ITEMS
Manager Johnson stated that for preparation of the proposed 1994 budget, departments
were asked to identify the cost for continuation of existing services, as well as specific
proposals for new or reduced services. Manager Johnson reviewed each budget, as well
as the information proposed to be used for the truth in taxation hearing on December 1.
The Council further discussed the allocations to the City's human service agencies. The
Council felt that it was important to equally fund both agencies, and directed that staff
include in the proposed budget the amount of $4,300 to each agency.
Councilmember Tierney stated she would like the Council to consider the City's
membership in the Association of Metropolitan Municipalities.
Council Study Session
November 22, 1993
Page 4
Councilmember Vasiliou stated that the Association for Metropolitan Municipalities does
not focus its efforts on metropolitan cities. She stated it is her opinion that the public does
not want the City to pay large amounts for lobbying.
Mayor Bergman stated the budget has contingency funds, and if the new City Council
decides that membership in the AMM would benefit the City, the money is available.
Councilmember Edson concurred that the new City Council should address the issue. He
stated the Council needs to discuss the philosophy and lobbying positions of the AMM
before allocating money for membership. He stated the Municipal Legislative Commission
MLC) more closely aligns with positions that benefit Plymouth.
The City Council cancelled the budget study session that had previously been scheduled
for November 29, 1993.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
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