HomeMy WebLinkAbout09.28.87 Special Council Minutes
MINUTES
COUNCIL MEETING
SPECIAL
SEPTEMBER 28, 1987
1. Mayor Akin called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
Members Present: Akin, Kelly, Mayer, Sprute, Uhl.
Members Absent: None.
Also Present: Administrator Thompson.
2. Parks and Recreation Director Jim Bell informed the Council that the grading
had been finished in the Dakota County Estates Park and presented a capital outlay
request for $8,150 for seeding, trees and ag lime for the field. Mr. Bell stated
the project would be funded from Park Improvement Funds. Mr. Bell added that the
park layout had been reviewed and approved by the Park and Recreation Advisory
Commission. Motion by Mayer, second by Kelly to approve the Capital Outlay
Request. APIF, motion carried.
3. The Council next considered the 1988 Operating Budget. The General Services
Superintendent, Liquor Store Manager, Police Chief, Park and Recreation Director
and Administrator gave an overview of the respective budget requests. Most dis-
cussion centered on the growth rate of the City and problems presented by the
growth.
4. The Council next discussed the Capital Outlay portion of the budget. Mayor
Akin stated that the Council had to be extremely cautious in approving large
capital outlay items which would require borrowing. Mayor Akin noted that the
Council could trap future Council's into dealing with huge debt loads. Mayor Akin
stated that once the Council had adopted the plan, it should adhere to it.
Administrator Thompson noted that the General Services garage would require a
referendum unless it could be financed with revenue bonds. Mayor Akin and Council
member Kelly noted the importance of upgrading the City's warning system and
suggested the funding be moved up a year. Council member Sprute stated that the
warning system should be scaled back to follow the proposed schedule. Administrator
Thompson stated that the Council should consider pager replacements, either all
pagers at once or on a scheduled replacement. Mayor Akin suggested the matter
be studied further. Mayor Akin asked the status of the $5,000 donation from the
American Legion. Finance Director Henneke stated that the funds had been escrowed
for debt retirement on the Fire/Rescue truck. Mr. Henneke added that the $5,000
could be used to reduce the 1988 debt levy. Mayor Akin and Council member Kelly
noted that the cost of the Fire Department had increased significantly over the
past years. Council member Mayer stated that his major concern was potential
duplication of equipment, specifically snow blowers and riding lawn mowers.
Council member Sprute suggested that the Liquor Store snow blower be eliminated.
It was the consensus that the snowblower remain in the budget, with Council member
Sprute dissenting. Council member Sprute noted that the arena bleachers had been
budgeted during 1987 yet not purchased. Council member Sprute stated that if
they are budgeted in 1988, they should be purchased. Council member Sprute stated
that it was his understanding that the senior citizens had agreed to furnish the
southwest corner of the Senior Center and wondered if the improvement could be
financed through donations. Administrator Thompson stated that the senior citizens
had agreed to match the City's contribution and that they had contributed much more
than the City's $2,500 improvement. Mr. Thompson added that, while donations
would be nice, the community had already donated $70,000 for the purchase of the
building and was contributing over $6,000 per year for the operations. Mayor
Akin asked if the $2,500 in the Fire Department was for uniforms or turnout gear.
Administrator Thompson stated that it was for turnout gear.
5. Discussion followed regarding seal coating. Council member Sprute stated
that assessing seal coating was a hidden tax and should be incorporated as part
of the operating budget. Engineer Kaldunski stated that it was staff's
recommendation to assess because it would allow the City additional flexibility
in establishing a seven year rotation. Administrator Thompson stated that
assessing the seal coating would take it outside of the levy limits. It was
the consensus that seal coating remain outside of the budget as an assessable
improvement, with Council members Sprute and Mayer dissenting.
6. Motion by Sprute, second by Uhl to adjourn at 9:20 P.M. APIF, motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
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City Administrator
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