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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-03-1996 CMW COUNCIL/MANAGERblORKSHOP OF THE CTPI' OF MAPLEWOOD 5:00 p.m. Monday, September 3, 1996 Maplewood Room, City Hall MINUTES A. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Acting Mayor Allenspach at 5:00 p.m. B. ROLL CALL Mayor Gary Bastian Present (amved at 5:15 p.m.) Councilmember SherryAllenspach Present. Councilmember Dale Carlson Present Councilmember Marvin Koppen Present Councilmember George Rossbach Present Others Present: City Manger Michael McGuire Assistant City Manager Craig Dawson Finance Director Dan Faust C. APPROVAL OF AGENDA City Manager McGuire asked that the following items be added: (Ll) Carver and Edgerton Community Centers Grand Openings; (L2) Pre-Agenda Meeting for September 5, 1996; (L3) Police Sgt. Dreger Retirement; (L4) Status of Ramsey County Park Transfer; and (LS) Proposed Medical Clinic. Councilmember Carlson moved~nroval of the agenda as amended. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Rossbach and approved. Ayes: All September 3, 1996 Council/Manager Workshop Page Two D. PROCEDURES FOR SELECTION OF AUDITING FIRM Finance Director Faust outlined a process and timeline for selecting an auditing firm. The City of Maplewood has contracted with KPMG Peat Marwick LLP for the past 13 yeazs. There are differing philosophies about whether or how often one should consider changing auditing firms. An audit firm technically reports to the City Council, and a selection committee should have a Council representative on it. Councilmember Koppen moved that a committee be formed to include the Ma~(or his designee from the Council the City Manager and the Finance Director for nurooses of selecting a firm to perform audit services of the City's finances. Councilmember Carlson seconded the motion and it was approved. Ayes: All E. RECOVERY OF UNBILLED RECYCLING AND HYDRANT CHARGES Finance Director Faust explained the utility billing process and how, over nearly 20 years, some properties (64 for hydrant chazges, 139 for recycling services) had not been included in the billing system. Mayor Bastian azrived at 5:15 p.m. Councilmember Cazlson moved that the Cites adiust billings to recover these unbilled charges for balances due up to one veaz and to exclude interest: Councilmember Koppen seconded the motion and it was approved. Vote on the motion: 4 - 1 (Councilmember Rossbach opposed). F. RECOVERY OF UNBILLED SEWER CHARGES Finance Director explained the utility billing process and how some properties had not been included in the billing system. Councilmember Carlsonmoved that the City adjust billings to7ecove these unbilled charges for balances due yp to fiveyeazs and to exclude interest. Councilmember Koppen seconded the motion and it was approved. Vote on the motion: 4 - 1 (Councilmember Rossbach opposed). - September 3, 1996 Council/Manager Workshop Page Three G. 1997 PROPOSED BUDGET 1. Overview and Discussion City Manager McGuire presented an overview and highlights of the 1997 Proposed Budget. He reviewed assumptions in estimating revenues and expenditures in operations, capital improvements, and debt service.. Proposed expenditures for City operations were summazized as follows (figures aze rounded): * Community Development: increase of 1.4%, to $1,025,000 Councilmember Carlson asked about what plans were under consideration for the recycling collection contract in 1997. It was decided to discuss this _ matter further at a future Council meeting. * Finance: increase of 4.1%, to $540,000 * Fire: increase of 19.4%, to $1,315,000 * General Government: increase of 2.8%, to $5,155,000 * Parks and Recreation: increase of 12.7%, to $3,340,000 Mayor Bastian suggested a program begin where residents can "adopt" a part of the Community Center buildings and grounds. He was also concerned about one of the objectives of the Nature Center division-- . public education to increase awareness of Jim's Prairie. It is difficult to access, and vegetation would be damaged due to additional visitors. * Police: increase L1%, to $4,255,000 There was brief discussion about Community-oriented Policing and Community-oriented Services inifiatives. * Public Works: decrease of 5.0%, to $5,600,000 In the General Fund, * Revenue would increase 9.5% from 1996 to 1997 * Expenditures would increase 3.3% from 1996 to 1997 * Transfers to other funds--Community Center, Recreation Programs--would be $442,460 (compared to $181,250 in the 1996 budget) * The projected fund balance would be $4,065,000, up 11.4% over the 1996 adopted budget. The balance would be 34.2% of budgeted expenditures * Per capita expenditures would increase 1.8% (which is less than the projected 2.8% rate of inflation), and the population served would increase 1.5% In Community Center operations, the projected net loss for 1997 would be $389,000. Staff is developing a plan which would gradually reduce the net loss to $0 in 2000. Councilmembers suggested that metropolitan universities be contacted for students to do a case study in marketing and improving the financial situation of the Community Center. _ September 3, 1996 Council/Manager Workshop Page Four The Canital I~rovement portion of the proposed budget reflected Council action on July 8, 1996, to adopt the 1997-2001 Capital Improvement Plan totalling $14,619,000. The 1997 proposed budget showed implementation of the first year of this plan, which identified $4,358,000 for improvements. It included using $500,000 in TIF receipts to purchase the commercial property north of the Community Center. Councilmembers expressed concern that $100,000 may not be sufficient funding for an effective street overlay and sealcoat program. In Debt Service, the City's obligations for 1997 total $1,525,000, down $450,000 from the 1996 outlay due to retirement of some bonds and reduced installments on several others. Future annual debt service payments for existing bonds would be reduced slightly for 1998, and then increase to a relatively constant $1,600,000 level for 1999-2003. The City's long-term debt was increasing 1.0% from 1996 to 1997, to $27,700,000. 2. Ambulance Rates for 1997 Finance Director Faust reviewed the reasons for recommending an increase in ambulance rates for 1997. Councihnembei• Allenspach moved to adopt the resolution to set ambulance rates for 1997. Councilmember Carlson seconded the motion and it was approved. Vote on the motion: 4 - 1 (CouncilmemberRossbach opposed). 3 Ordinance To Set Sewer Rates for 1997 (First readin¢l Finance Director Faust reviewed the reasons for recommending an increase in sewer rates for 1997. The proposed ordinance would continue a flat quarterly fee based on class of customer. City Manager McGuire mentioned that changes to include avolume-based rate may be suggested for the second reading of the proposed ordinance. Mayor Bastian moved to aonrove the first reading of an ordinance to set sewer rates for 1997. Councilmember Carlson seconded the motion and it was approved. Ayes: All 4 Selection of Dates for Public Hearings on Proposed 1997 Bud¢et Dates and times proposed for the public hearings required by statute were: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, December 5, with continuation if necessary to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, December 12. The final hearing would be scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Monday, December 9 or December 16, depending on whether the initial hearing needed to be continued to December 12. September 3, 1996 Council/Manager Workshop Page Five a Selection of Dates for Public Hearings on Proposed 1997 Budget--continued Mayor Bastian noted the National League of Cities congress is often held on dates which may conflict with these heazing dates. This item would be considered at the September 9. 1996 City Council meeting. 5 Adoption of Proposed Propert~Tax Levy Payable in 1997 Councilmember Carlson moved to adopt the resolution settin the ity's proposed nropertv tax levy~avable in 1997. Mayor Bastian seconded the motion and it was approved. Ayes`. 'All H. STATUS REPORT ON 1996 BUDGET OBJECTIVES' City Manager McGuire presented a report on the status of progress toward the 164 objectives listed in the 1996 adopted budget. I. OUTDOOR SEASONAL SALES OPERATIONS, Council decided to continue consideration of this item to the October 7, 1996 Council/Manager Workshop. J. DEER MANAGEMENT Assistant City Manager Dawson reviewed a request by a resident for maziagement of the deer population in south Maplewood, and a staff memorandum which related the number of incidents reported to police involving deer and suggested processes to develop a deer management plan. The Council decided not to proceed with deer management planning at this time, and directed staff to continue monitoring the situation and to write a letter to the resident about the Council's action. Mayor Bastian suggested that a Mayor's Forum, possibly the one for November 1996, have the topic of wildlife management (which would include deer and geese, among other species). September 3, 1996 Council/Manager Workshop Page Six K. FIRE DEPARTMENT UPDATE City Manager McGuire related progress with Gladstone and Parkside Fire Departments on proposed agreements for their merger into the Maplewood Fire Department. He noted that there was significant agreement on most matters among the negotiating group. L. OTHER BUSINESS 1. Carver and Edgerton Community Center Grand Openings: These openings will be held September 4 and 5, respectively, beginning at 6:00 p:m. with a formal ceremony at 6:20 p.m. 2. Pre-Agenda Meeting for September 5,1996: Council decided to cancel this meeting. 3. Sergeant Dreger Retirement:. The retirement party for 32-year veteran Police Sgt. Dick Dreger was scheduled for the evening of Sunday, September 8, 1996. 4. Ramsey County Park Transfer: The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners had voted to approve the transfer of parks from Ramsey County to the City of Maplewood. 5. Medical Clinic: A radiology lab and clinic is being proposed on land north of Saint John's Hospital. The land currently has five houses on it, but the long-term plan for the area is commercial and service. M. FUTURE TOPICS The list of future topics was noted. N. ADJOURNMENT At 7:34 p.m., Mayor Bastian moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember Carlson seconded and the motion was approved. There was no fiirther discussion. Ayes: All