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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-08-05 MINUTES(-� � SPECIAL MEET/NG COTTAGE GROVE CITY COUNCIL August 5, 1999 CALL TO ORDER The City Council of the City of Cottage Grove, Washington County, Minnesota held a special meeting on Thursday, August 5, 1999, at the Cottage Grove City Hall, 7516 80 Street South. Mayor Denzer called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor John Denzer Council Member Cheryl Kohls Council Member Sandy Shiely Council Member Jim Wolcott Absent: Council Member Pat Rice Also present: Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator Caron M. Stransky, City Clerk Michelle Wolfe, Assistant City Administrator Elizabeth Johnson, Finance Director Brenda Peper, Financial Analyst � Reference his memo dated August 4, Administrator Schroeder reviewed the following exhibits on the recommended 2000 budgets: ■ Exhibit 1— A General Fund expenditure summary for the years 1994-1998 and proposed for 2000. This exhibit shows what percentages of the general fund expenditures were from General Government, Community DevelopmenUlnspections, Public Safety and Public Works. ■ Exhibit 2— The tax impact on 2000 Budget Proposal (30.55%) plus the addition of $36,500 for the Drug Task Force Officer (30.80%), the City tax would increase $2.00 on a home valued at $79,138, and $7.00 on a home valued at $237,051. ■ Exhibit 3—A summary of General Fund capital purchases for the years 1995-Proposed 2000 for Public Safety and Public Works. The summary shows that expenditures totaled $1,003,630 for public safety and $981,900 for public works during this period. ■ Exhibit 4— A summary of City staff for the years 1994 through 1999. This summary shows where staffing has increased. Schroeder reviewed a number of budget policy questions he needed direction on from the Council. Following discussion, Council authorized staff to gather information on the possibility of collecting a utility franchise fee from Northern States Power utility customers, similar to the � franchise fee charged to cable subscribers. :. �- Special Meeting — August 5, 1999 Coftage Grove City Council Page 2 of 3 • Shiely expressed an interest in obtaining a copy of financial statement from the South Washington County Cable Commission showing the amount of franchise fees they annually collect from cable subscribers. Kohls indicated an interest in seeing what the tax rates were for other communities of similar size as Cottage Grove. Wolcott asked Staff to provide the Council a status report on the Closed Construction Fund. Shiely indicated she would not approve any type of community center, teen center or large athletic complex, until after the voters approve a bond referendum. Council asked staff to determine what the potential tax income would be if the Council were to eliminate the "Rural Taxing DistricY'. Public Safetv There was discussion of the future of the SOWASHCO Ambufance Service and the existing contract with the cities of Saint Paul Park and Newport. Staff gave a verbal update regarding the 90-day proposal from HealthEast to service St. Paul Park and Newport for ambulance service. At the August 11 meeting, staff will ask the Council for authorization to negotiate a service contract with the two cities. Council reviewed the Emergency Preparedness, Animal Control, Police Protection, Fire • Protection, Forfeiture, Community Watch, and SoWashCo recommended 2000 budgets. There was discussion regarding the $36,555 unfunded request for an additional police officer position and assignment to the Washington County Drug Task Force. Staff noted that Washington County has guaranteed a forfeiture rebate of at least $20,000. The actual first year cost for the position is $56,555. Kohls requested that this request be considered as a budget addition following review of the entire budget. There was brief discussion regarding the purchase of MDT's and a CAD system for public safety in the near future. Council discussed the unfunded requests in the Fire Protection budget --$48,000 to increase part-time fire fighter pay for training and drills; and $700,000 to purchase an aerial ladder. Staff was directed to conduct a salary survey of fire fighter pay for review at the next budget session (August 18). It was suggested that staff consider purchasing a reconditioned aerial ladder and to move the purchase to the year 2003. Also beginning in the year 2001, approximately $100,000 each year should be set-aside for the aerial ladder purchase. Council then discussed the unfunded request to hire an additional full-time fire fighter and the purchase of a thermal imaging device. It was suggested that 50% of the cost of thermal imaging could be allocated from gambling contributions or through a fundraiser conducted by . the citizens. r �� ati Special Meeting — August 5, 1999 Cottage Grove City Council Page 3 of 3 • General Government Council reviewed the Mayor/Council, Administration, and Personnel recommended budgets. Staff requested no budget additions. Schroeder advised the Council some time in the near future he would present a salary survey and recommend an increase in the Mayor and Council wages. The change in salary would not take effect until 2001. Shiely commented she was in favor of holding a teambuilding session with City Advisory Commissions. Wolcott directed staff to put together a list of all federal/state "unfunded" mandates. Kohls indicated she was surprised to read that the City does not have a Performance Appraisal System. Council reviewed the recommended 2000 Budget for Professional Services. There was brief discussion regarding the contract with Washington County for assessing services. Council reviewed the recommended 2000 Budget for Community Programs, City Hall, City Clerk, Elections, Finance, and Gambling. • Staff was directed to prepare a follow-up report on the Gambling Contributions Fund. The City should be cautious on budgeting allocations in light of the loss of one of the major licensed contributors to the fund (Cottage Grove Lions Club). Council reviewed the Economic Development Fund, Economic Development Authority and Self- Insurance budgets. Shiely informed Staff she was disappointed that the salt-storage building was not built as a part of the Public Works facility project. She directed that staff be prepared to discuss that at the next meeting. The next budget review meeting is scheduled for August 18 at 6:30 p.m. MOTION BY WOLCOTT, SECONDED BY SHIELY, TO ADJOURN THE SPECIAL MEETING AT 9:45 P.M. Respectfully submitted, �� � Caron M. Stransky City Clerk CMC .