08-07-2000 CC MIN - SPECIALMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL
MONDAY, AUGUST 7, 2000
Members Present:
Mayor Klinzing, Councilmembers Dietz, Farber, Motin, and
Thompson
Members Absent: None
Staff Present:
Pat Klaers, City Administrator; Sandra Peine, City Clerk;
Terry Maurer, City Engineer; Lori Johnson, Finance Director; Tom
Zerwas, Police Chief; Jeff Beahen, Assistant Police Chief; Brad Rohlf,
Sergeant; Phil Hals, Street Superintendent; and Bruce West, Fire
Chief
1. Call Meetin.q To Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the special meeting of the City Council
was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Klinzing.
2. Consider 8/7/2000 A.qenda
COUNClLMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. COUNCILMEMBER
MOTIN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
3. Consider Resolution Appointin.q Election Jud.qes
COUNCILMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 00-60 APPOINTING
ELECTION JUDGES FOR THE PRIMARY ELECTION ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2000.
COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
4.1
4.2.
Western Area 4 Public Hearin.q
Western Area 4 Assessment Hearin.q
Mayor Klinzing noted that the major landowner in this project has requested to
continue the hearings on the project until August 14, 2000.
Mayor Klinzing opened the public hearing. No one was in the audience to speak
to the issue. Mayor Klinzing requested a motion to continue the hearings.
COUNClLMEMBER THOMPSON MOVED TO CONTINUE THE WESTERN AREA 4 PUBLIC
HEARING AND ASSESSMENT HEARING TO AUGUST 14, 2000. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ
SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
The council recessed at 6:10. The council moved to the Training Room for a budget
worksession and reconvened at 6:15 p.m.
City Council Minutes
August 7, 2000
Page 2
Budget Worksession
City Administrator Pat Klaers explained that expenditures are requested to go up
12 percent in the proposed 2001 budget and revenues are projected to increase
by 4 percent. He stated that this creates a $468,900 gap between the projected
revenues and requested expenditures.
The city administrator stated that the total general fund revenues are projected
in the amount of $6,098,750, which is a $236,250 increase over the adopted 2000
budget. He noted that the budget estimate includes a 5 percent net tax
capacity growth and does not include a tax rate change.
Councilmember Dietz indicated that he agreed with staff's attempt to reduce
equipment certificates and to include more capital expenditures as part of the
general fund budget. Councilmember Dietz suggested that the council consider
funding as many of the proposed capital expenses as possible to the 2000
budget.
The city administrator reviewed each departmental budget focusing on major
changes in revenues and/or expenditures.
The following issues were discussed by the council.
· The difference in the recreation revenues from 1999 to 2000.
· Lori Johnson noted the addition of liability insurance to the mayor and
city council budget.
· The police department representatives explained the requests for police
vehicles.
· The council questioned the necessity of immediately purchasing a fire
pumper and suggested putting funds away to purchase at a later date.
· The council questioned the necessity of the construction of an office in
the fire department.
Mayor Klinzing had a concern that the street department budget is not
an actual reflection of the amount of time and money spent on
individual sub-budgets within the street department budget such as
snowplowing. She suggested not breaking down the street budget into
individual budgets. There was a consensus of the council to not change
the current budget format. Councilmember Dietz suggested adding a
page that would reflect a total street department budget.
· There was a consensus of the council to authorize the street department
to pursue the purchase of a used snowblower using equipment reserves.
During review of the engineer budget, the council discussed the need for
the city to have its own engineering department. Councilmember Farber
requested staff to provide information on this issue at a later date,
City Council Minutes
August 7, 2000
Page 3
During discussion of the ice arena budget it was noted that a positive
cash flow is nearly impossible due to the annual building debt. The
council suggested that staff look at ways to help the ice arena cash flow
from year-to-year.
There was a consensus of the council to purchase floor matting for the ice
arena using equipment reserves as outlined in the Ice Arena Manager's
memo.
Discussion was held regarding future fire station sites. The council
requested that a proposal be drafted that allows the council to formally
make a statement regarding reserving property for a future fire station.
· A discussion on council salaries will take place on August 28
· A discussion on employee appreciation will take place on August 28
The council directed the city administrator to begin reducing the budget gap by
moving capital outlay items into the 2000 budget. It was noted that the council
would make the final decision on which items to move. The council also directed
the city administrator to prepare some suggested cuts and possible extra
revenues for council review. It was suggested that hiring some of the requested
employees mid-year rather than at the beginning of the year could save some
money.
The city administrator indicated that the 2001 budget would be on the August 28
council agenda.
6. Adiournment
There being no further business, Mayor Klinzing adjourned the meeting of the Elk
River City Council at 9:35 p.m.
Sandra Peine
City Clerk