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07-26-1999 CC MIN e MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL MONDAY, JULY 26, 1999 Members Present: Mayor Klinzing, Councilmembers Thompson, Farber, and Motin Members Absent: Councilmember Dietz Staff Present: Pat Klaers, City Administrator; Sandra Peine, City Clerk; Lori Johnson, Finance Director; Tom Zerwas, Police Chief; Suzanne Kostanshek, Senior Citizen Coordinator 1. Call Meetina To Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River City Council was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Klinzing. 2. Consider Aaenda COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE JULY 26, 1999, CITY COUNCIL AGENDA. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. e 3. Consider Consent Aaenda COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS FOLLOWS: 3.1 a. 7119/99 COUNCIL MINUTES - APPROVED 3.1 b. 7119/99 EXECUTIVE SESSION COUNCIL MINUTES --APPROVED 3.2. CHECK REGISTER - APPROVED 3.3a. PAY ESTIMATE #4 TO S.R. WEIDEMA, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $774,719.25 FOR EASTERN AREA IMPROVEMENTS - APPROVED 3.3b. PAY ESTIMATE #3 TO ACCURATE ELECTRIC, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $7,123.46 FOR 171 51 AVENUE SIGNAL IMPROVEMENTS - APPROVED 3.3c. PAY ESTIMATE #1 TO NORTHWEST ASPHALT, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $$51,911.46 FOR SCHOOL STREET IMPROVEMENTS - APPROVED 3.4. REQUEST FOR LICENSE TO SELL STRONG BEER ON SALE AT LAROSE'S PIZZA AND PASTA - APPROVED 3.5. AMENDMENT TO THE MOTION APPROVING THE 7/12/99 COUNCIL MINUTES WITH AMENDMENTS TO ITEM 5.2 (DELETING REFERENCE TO WITHDRAW MOTION) AND ITEM 5.7 (CHANGING REFERENCE OF THREE GENERATORS TO FOUR GENERATORS) - APPROVED 3.6. REQUEST TO HIRE REBECCA BROWN AS ACTIVITY ASSISTANT AT $8.00 PER HOUR STARTING AUGUST 24, 1999 - APPROVED COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. e City Council Minutes July 26, 1999 Page 2 e 4. Open Mike No one appeared for Open Mike 5.1. Consider Purchase of Speed Monitorina Radar Trailer Police Chief Tom Zerwas requested Council authorization to purchase a speed monitoring radar trailer. The Chief presented Council with quotes from Kustom Signals and MPH. He explained that both trailers were tested by his staff and it was staff's recommendation to purchase the Kustom Signal trailer. The Chief also noted that delivery costs could be reduced if a CSO picks up the trailer. Council discussion pursued regarding the type of use and amount of use for a speed monitoring radar trailer. The Police Chief explained that some of the benefits include being able to respond to neighborhood speed complaints, obtaining speed statistics and traffic counts. COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASE OF A SPEED MONITORING RADAR TRAILER FROM KUSTOM SIGNALS AT $13,360.43 AND TO AUTHORIZE A COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICER TO PICK UP THE MACHINE IF IT IS DETERMINED BY STAFF THAT THIS WOULD BE THE BEST DELIVERY OPTION WITH FUNDING FOR THE PURCHASE TO COME FROM THE COUNCIL CONTINGENCY. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. e 5.2. Discussion on Allina Reauest City Administrator Pat Klaers explained that staff has received a request from Allina to purchase the parcel of property which the city owns north of Highway 10 and Joplin Avenue. He indicated that the city purchased this property for a future liquor store site. Pat explained that the city owns the middle parcel of a three parcel site. The City Administrator indicated that Allina's first option is to purchase the city's site and their second option is to offer a trade of the west lot for the city's center lot. Mayor Klinzing indicated that having Allina in the community is a good opportunity for the City and that she would be interested in seeing what price Allina would pay for the lot. Council member Thompson indicated that he also feels Allina would be a benefit to the community. He indicated that he is not sure the City needs another liquor store now or in the future. Council member Motin indicated he is not interested in switching lots but would be willing to see what Allina is willing to offer for the lot. He also indicated that the City should plan for the possibility of another liquor store in the future. Councilmember Farber stated that Allina would be a good addition to the City. He indicated he would be willing to listen to their proposal, but prefers the east lot. e The Council requested the City Administrator to continue talking to Allina regarding their request. City Council Minutes July 26, 1999 Page 3 e 6. 2000 Budaet Discussion City Administrator Pat Klaers explained that the purpose of this worksession is to review issues relating to the 2000 budget. He stated that he would like to receive feedback and direction from the Council so that a draft budget can be prepared for Council review on 8/30/99. The City Administrator explained that the total general fund revenues are projected in the amount of $5,717,550 which is a $345,100 increase over the 1999 budget. The City Administrator reviewed the proposed revenues for 2000. Mayor Klinzing questioned how the revenues were determined and indicated that she felt they were low. The City Administrator explained that the proposed growth related figures (building and plumbing/heating permits and plan check fees) are derived from 75% of 1998 actual revenues. The Mayor indicated that there is a direct relation between the revenues received and the number of staff needed to provide services. She stated that keeping the revenues at 75% does not show the need for employee growth. She suggested raising the 75% to a higher figure. She also requested to see actual source of funds prior to 1997. Council member Farber indicated that basing revenues on 75% of the actual is a conservative approach that has worked for the city in the past. e Councilmember Motin indicated that he concurred with taking a more conservative approach when looking at revenues, however, he suggested raising the 75% figure to 90%. Dave Sheppard - 18984 Carson Street questioned why the charge for water per gallon is so high. He indicated that he works for the City of Plymouth and their water charges are much lower. The Finance Director indicated she would review the situation and get back to him with the information. The City Council recessed at 8:05 p.m. and reconvened at 8: 15 p.m. The City Administrator explained that the expenditure requests amount to approximately $5,910,700 which is a $547,250 increase. The City Administrator briefly reviewed the 2000 proposed expenditures, concentrating on personnel and capital outlay. The City Administrator reviewed the requests for staff additions in 2000 which include a part time cable TV operator; a seasonal building/zoning inspector; janitorial position; a police officer and a CSO which are both partially funded by federal grants; a shared ice arena and street/park employee; a full time fire inspector and a Maintenance I employee. e City Council Minutes July 26, 1999 Page 4 e Discussion pursued regarding the request of a staff person to assist the Cable TV Operator. The City Administrator indicated that the request relates to the possibility of video taping more council meetings. It was the consensus of the Council to video tape the 2nd and 3rd council meetings of the month. The Finance Director discussed the need to shift the responsibility of the safety program from the Finance Department. The City Administrator indicated that it may be best to have the Fire Chief take on this responsibility. He stated that in exchange for this added responsibility the Fire Chief would be requesting to modify some of his hours with the inspections and hire a full time fire inspector. The Council discussed the need for a full time inspector. Council members Thompson and Farber felt that it is not necessary to hire a full time fire inspector. It was the consensus that the Fire Chief try advertising outside of the fire department if there is not enough interest by the firefighters for the part time positions. Mayor Klinzing requested staff to prepare general fund tax revenue projections using a 5% net tax capacity growth figure with no change in the tax rate and to increase growth revenues to 90% of the 1998 actual revenues. She also suggested that Department Heads be present at the August 30 budget meeting and that they be prepared to discuss their requests for programs, capital outlay items and additional staff. e The City Administrator indicated that there is a budget gap of about $193,150 with the proposed budget as presented this evening. He further noted that there will be an additional budget gap of about $125,000 using the 5% net tax capacity but that the increase in growth related revenues should cover most of this amount. The August 30 proposal will show a budget gap amount similar to what has been presented tonight. COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON MOVED TO CALL A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL ON AUGUST 30,1999, AT 6:00 P.M. TO DISCUSS THE PROPOSED 2000 BUDGET. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 7. Other Business There was no other business. 8. Staff Uodates There were no staff updates. 9. Adiournment e There being no further business, Mayor Klinzing adjourned the council meeting at 9:40 p.m. -A~ . ~~ra Peine ~~ City Clerk