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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12.01.03 Council Minutes COUNCIL MINUTES REGULAR December 1, 2003 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Mayor Ristow at 7:00 p.m. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Ristow led the audience and Council in the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. ROLL CALL Members Present: Members Absent: Also Present: Audience: Ristow, Fitch, Fogarty, Soderberg Cordes Joel Jamnik, City Attorney; Dan Siebenaler, Interim City Administrator/Police Chief; Robin Roland, Finance Director; Kevin Carroll, Community Development Director; Randy Distad, Parks and Recreation Director; Lee Mann, Director of Public Works/City Engineer; Lisa Shadick, Administrative Services Director; Brenda Wendlandt, Human Resources Director; Cynthia Muller, Executive Assistant David McKnight, Randy Oswald 4. APPROVE AGENDA Due to the absence of Councilmember Cordes item lOa) Approve Comprehensive Plan Amendment - Trail Master Plan and item lla) Approve Meadowview Park Master Plan were deleted from this agenda. Mayor Ristow also wanted to do more research on the issue. An additional page to item 7h) Approve bills was added as a supplemental item. MOTION by Soderberg, second by Fogarty to approve the Agenda. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. S. ANNOUNCEMENTS a) Mr. Charlie Weber - Rambling River Center - Parks and Recreation Rambling River Center Coordinator Missie Kohlbeck recognized Mr. Charlie Weber for his work on the remodeling project of the Rambling River Center. Mr. Weber took charge of the project, did research, prepared a floor plan, called suppliers and obtained materials. He worked on weekends and at home. He spent approximately 640 hours on the project over 4 months with no pay. Park and Recreation staff assisted with painting and hauling debris, but Mr. Weber did all the sheetrocking, taping, mudding, etc. He did a beautiful job. He was presented with a certificate of appreciation and a gift certificate. Mayor Ristow added it is people like Mr. Weber that make up such a good community. His work is very much appreciated. Council Minutes (Regular) December 1, 2003 Page 2 6. CITIZEN COMMENTS 7. CONSENT AGENDA MOTION by Soderberg, second by Fitch to approve the Consent Agenda as follows: a) Approved Council Minutes (11/17/03 Regular) (11/12/03 and 11/13/03 Special) b) Received Information Park and Recreation Commission Minutes c) Approved Park Name - Parks and Recreation d) Approved Traffic Control- Various Locations - Engineering e) Approved Amendment ALF Joint Powers Agreement - Human Resources f) Adopted RESOLUTION R88-03 Supporting DARTS Section 5310 Grant- Parks and Recreation g) Adopted RESOLUTION R89-03 Authorizing Grant Application North American Wetland Conservation Act - Engineering h) Approved Bills APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 8. PUBLIC HEARINGS a) Truth in Taxation Hearing - Finance The city is required to have this hearing every year to discuss what the city's plans are for the levy and the budget for the following year. The 2004 Budget and Levy will be on the December 15, 2003 Council agenda for approval. Council approved the preliminary levy on September 2, 2003. There have not been any changes to the levy or the budget since that time. The proposed levy is $4.6 million, $408,736 or 9.6% over the 2003 levy of $4.2 million. This proposed levy is at the state imposed levy limit for 2004, which is the actual 2003 levy plus 60% oflost LGA. General fund revenues are estimated at $6,157,000 with 58% ofthat general fund revenue coming from property taxes. Estimated revenues do not include local governmental aid, or state budgetary shortfalls. The state eliminated local governmental aid in the 2003 legislature. The city saw a cut in aid in 2003 and a total elimination in 2004 of9.6% of annual revenue or $593,986. The city has counted on this money over the years to provide general services. The city made up the shortfall by increasing property taxes in an amount equal to 60% of lost Local Government Aid. General fund revenues for 2004 are only 1.5% greater than the 2003 adopted budget. A 6.7% increase in general fund operating expenditures is proposed. This is due to normal operational cost increases. The 6.7% increase is significantly less than projected in the annual financial performa. All capital equipment for 2004 will be funded by certificates of indebtedness outside of the general fund. Staff reductions were not required to meet budgetary guidelines, however additions to staff are minimal. The additions to staff amount to a division reorganization in the police department, a police officer at mid-year, and two interns in the Community Development area, which are part-time positions and do not receive benefits but will help to offset the large load. Enterprise funds will Council Minutes (Regular) December 1, 2003 Page 3 pick up an additional staff person in the maintenance area for water and sewer. The city's tax base increased by 23%. Market value of existing homes increased and we added enough new homes so that our total market value increase was 23%. Population increased by another 10%. Given this growth, the status quo staffing which is necessary under the budget constraints will leave the city short several positions compared to other cities our size. By this time next year, as we are not adding staff, we will be approximately 6 police officers short of what is normally expected of a city of 18,000. We will also be short 3 maintenance works and 2 parks workers. As a result city services will need to be prioritized as never before. Residents will see the results of this in the form of longer complaint response times, more reactive enforcement and less proactive prevention. Problems on Ash Street were discussed at a previous Council meeting such as speed and stop signs. It was requested to place police officers out there for a higher rate of enforcement. Under the budget constraints, because we are not adding staff, we are not going to have those extra officers to put out there to do that kind of enforcement. We can try, but if an emergency occurs, the enforcement drops off. Staff will be working smarter and harder. Overtime has been reduced in some areas. The residents are used to a particular level of service and employees are very proud of that. This will be done as long as we can, but as time goes, we may run out of options. Looking at revenues for 2003 and 2004 proposed, taxes have increased for 2004 proposed to $3.5 million which goes to the general fund. This is up from $3.188 million in 2003. Intergovernmental revenues in 2003 called for the entire amount of LGA or $876,000. In 2004 this has dropped to $322,000 this is a 63% drop. We made up the difference in the area of permits by budgeting for 440 new houses. The amount of interest has also been increased to $350,000. Transfers In has also been increased. Expenditures overall increased 6.7%. The Transfers Out was the most significant increase which supports the pool and the Rambling River Center. For 2003 adopted additional funding was levied to offset the LGA loss. We hope to break even in 2003 and 2004. If this happens, the fund balance will stay at 39-40%. Property tax statements were shown for an older and newer home in the city comparing 2003 and 2004 taxes. Statements showed an increase in market value, and a decrease in city taxes for the older home and an increase in city taxes for the newer home due to completion of construction in 2004. County, school, and other district taxes went up. The effect is an increase in total taxes. City services are a huge value for the money that is paid. There is police, ftre, snow plowing, cleaning streets, crack sealing, etc. Councilmember Soderberg noted the limitations are imposed on the city by the state. With those limitations staff did a great job putting together a balanced budget. Mayor Ristow stated Interim City Administrator Siebenaler asked everyone to come together and no one had to be laid off. Interim City Administrator Siebenaler stated that was one of two goals set with the budget, that Council Minutes (Regular) December 1, 2003 Page 4 no one loses their job. We are proud of the proposed budget and we will do our best to maintain those numbers. We will need Council to help us in that and recognize we may not be able to respond as quickly or efficiently as we have in the past to lower priority issues. Councilmember Soderberg stated he met with State Representative Strachan who said he would not support any changes that did not include growth factors. Interim City Administrator Siebenaler stated there is a new movement at the legislature that would limit all cities to a growth in the budget equal to growth in tax base and growth in valuation. If that goes through, it will keep us at a 30% deficient police force, a 25% deficient public works department and a 200.10 deficient parks and recreation department because it does not allow for additional growth outside of valuation or increase in housing. A referendum would be required to increase services the city is required to provide or do without. Councilmember Fitch noted some of this is set by policy as far as response times, and asked if that should be addressed the first part of the year. Interim City Administrator Siebenaler suggested during the annual goal setting, Council discuss what is a reasonable expectation and develop a real strategic planning process as far as what level of service should be provided. Finance Director Roland stated in the long run that will mean Council might also have to decide what is less important and does not have to be staffed as much. It will be important for Council to hear from residents as to what their goals are. Interim City Administrator Siebenaler asked Council to remember when they receive calls from residents to remind them of staff limitations and ask them to be patient. Staff is asking for Council's support and that means speaking up and letting them know what our limitations are. Mayor Ristow stated this has been brought up in the past but the employees always keep moving. The maintenance crews have always done their job. Customer Service responses have not dropped. MOTION by Soderberg, second by Fogarty to close the public hearing. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. The final budget and levy will be adopted at the December 15, 2003 Council meeting. 9. AWARD OF CONTRACT 10. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS a) Approve Comprehensive Plan Amendment - Trail Master Plan - Parks and Recreation This item was deleted and will be placed on the December 15,2003 Council agenda. b) Approve MAAG Joint Powers Agreement - Police This is for the Mutual Aid Assistance Group. Farmington has participated in this unit since 1976. This is to update the agreement to comply with any new laws. It combines the Dakota County Sheriffs Swat team with other mutual aid groups in Dakota County. A total of nine agencies are involved in the agreement. Council Minutes (Regular) December 1, 2003 Page 5 MOTION by Fitch, second by Soderberg to approve the Mutual Aid Assistance Group 2003 Joint Powers Agreement. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 11. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a) Approve Meadowview Park Master Plan - Parks and Recreation This item was deleted and will be placed on the December 15,2003 Council agenda. b) Discuss Pre-Council Meeting Work Sessions - Administration MOTION by Soderberg, second by Fogarty to table this item to a Council meeting in February. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 12. NEW BUSINESS 13. COUNCIL ROUNDTABLE Councilmember Fogarty: Thanked Parks and Recreation Director Distad and the members ofthe Park and Recreation Task Force for their work on the Open House. There were approximately 80 people in attendance and 100 surveys were sent out. The consultant is tabulating the surveys. Councilmember Fitch: Thanked the street crew for their work during the ftrst snowfall. He commented there are several stop sign intersections that have been terribly icy. Mayor Ristow added there are also some icy shaded areas that could use some sand. Interim City Administrator Siebenaler: on December 3, 2003 at 6:00 p.m. Reminded Council of the Council Workshop Community Development Director Carroll: He and Interim City Administrator Siebenaler attended a meeting with the Met Council regarding the pending grant application. It is a five step process and we are at step 4. The grant application was to obtain funding for the Spruce Street Commercial area. Staff applied for funding to cover the cost of the bridge across the Vermillion River and to pay for the cost of extending Spruce Street from Denmark into the Spruce Street area. There were 34 applications approved, and Farmington made the first cut of 17. The recommendations from the Livable Communities Advisory Committee to the Met Council have been made and Farmington was one of the ten selected for funding. They recommended Ramsey receive $2.2 million, St. Paul receive $1.2 million, and Farmington receive $955,000. The meeting today was the Community Development Committee of the Met Council. They look at the Advisory Committee's recommendations and decide what to do. They will make a recommendation to the Met Council and the Met Council will make a final decision in late December or early January. The Met Council could choose to eliminate Farmington from consideration and shift the funding to a project that has a higher point rating, or keep Farmington's grant application partially funded and shift money away to fund other projects that did not get Council Minutes (Regular) December 1, 2003 Page 6 funded, or they could give us the amount of the grant. Councilmember Soderberg stated Community Development Director Carroll's presentation and the work done by staff played a large part in getting us this far along. He commended staff for a job well done. Mayor Ristow: He received some information regarding the Meadowview Park Master Plan. He contacted Mr. Brian Watson of Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation and distributed this information to Council. Mayor Ristow asked about the Chamber Breakfast meeting. Councilmember Fogarty stated they discussed the Spruce Street area and there were some very good questions. It was good to set some of the misconceptions straight. Interim City Administrator Siebenaler stated the next one will be December 18 and Councilmembers Soderberg and Cordes will be attending. 14. ADJOURN MOTION by Soderberg, second by Fogarty to adjourn at 8:05 p.m. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully submitted, J{7 /' //;:7 F-7Lc:e::.- ff7<-L-~0z~.../ ~~_~/1 Cynthia Muller Executive Assistant