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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes i� ��tJV� �ri°t � y � ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ���� �ri e ar�d PC�� t MINUTES COTTAGE GROVE CITY COUNCIL July 25, 2018 ST. CROIX CONFERENCE ROOM 12800 RAVINE PARKWAY SOUTH SPECIAL MEETING - 6:30 P.M. 1. CALL TO ORDER The City Council of the City of Cottage Grove, Washington County, Minnesota, held a special meeting on July 25, 2018, at Cottage Grove City Hall, 12800 Ravine Parkway. Council Member Steve Dennis called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL The following were present: Mayor Myron Bailey, Council Member Steve Dennis, Council Member Wayne Johnson, Council Member La Rae Mills, Council Member Dave Thiede. Also present were: Charlene Stevens, City Administrator; Rebecca Ahlvin, Management Assistant, Aaron Sather, Administration Intern; Christine Costello, EDA Director; Matt Wolf, ED Assistant, Jennifer Levitt, Community Development Director/City Engineer; Robin Roland, Finance Director; Cathy Mohr, Assistant Finance Director; Greg Rinzel, Police Captain; Aly Brinkman, Management Analyst; Randy McAllister, Police Captain; Pete Koerner, Public Safety Director; Rick Redenius, Fire Chief; Katie Nelson, Bulletin newspaper; Dan Myers and Wayne Butt, EDA members. 3. AGENDA ITEM A. BUDGET WORKSHOP Finance Director Robin Roland lead off the discussion by talking about the 2019 proposed levy of$15,695,000 (increase of 3%). Also, stating that general fund revenues were made up of$1.3 million from licenses and permits and overall property tax revenues are made up of$13,790,000 with a total of general fund revenues $17,324,000. Police Chief Pete Koerner discussed Police, Fire and EMS budgets for 2019 and 2020. He stated that with all the promotions in the department it was overall a smooth transition. He stated with the new Central Fire station complete the Fire department implemented 24-hour shifts. He also stated they have been able to keep response times under 6.25 minutes in other areas and under 6.06 minutes for CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE • 12800 Ravine Parkway • Cottage Grove, Minnesota 55016 www.cottage-grove.org • 651-458-2800 • Fax 651-458-2897 • Equal Opportunity Employer Cottage Grove. Also, Koerner stated that medical costs and calls have increased from 2015 which were down 2%, 2016 up 7% and 2017 up 5%. Koerner also mentioned Image Trend will consolidate with Physio Control and Firehouse software systems. Finance Director Robin Roland discussed the EDA and that the General Levy allocation of$125,000 barely covers salaries in this fund. There was also discussion of raising the $30,000 transfer from the ED Trust to the EDA fund to $70,000. She also stated that expenses exceed revenues. Economic Director Christine Costello discussed the Farade Improvement grant program. The council discussed this program and wanted different options that this budget addition of$25,000 would provide. Council member Wayne Johnson feels there should be more dollars invested in this idea. Permit valuation was discussed and stated that the valuation is at $57 million to date. Also, the new permitting system EnerGov will be adding a better level of service to our customers. Council Member Steve Dennis asked about code enforcement issues and the level of how they are addressed. City Administrator Charlene Stevens responded that we operate on a complaint basis. 4. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Council Member Dave Thiede, second by Council Member La Rae Mills, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0. Meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM. Minutes prepared by Cathy Mohr.