12-08-2003 CC MIN MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER HIGH SCHOOL LITTLE THEATER
MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2003
Members Present:
Members Absent:
Staff Present:
Mayor K_linzing, Councilmembers Dietz, Kuester, Motin, and Tveite
None
City Administrator Pat Fdaers, Finance Director Lori Johnson, and
Recording Secretary Tina Allard
Call Meeting To Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River City Council was called
to order at 6:30 p.m. by Mayor Fdinzing.
Consider 12/8/2003 Agenda
MAYOR KLINZING ADDED BRIMEYER UPDATE TO THE AGENDA
UNDER OTHER BUSINESS
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE AND SECONDED BY
COUNClLMEMBER DIETZ TO APPROVE THE COUNCIL AGENDA AS
AMENDED. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Consider Consent Agenda
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER TYEITE TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS
FOLLOWS:
3.1. NOVEMBER 24, 2003 COUNCIL MINUTES
3.2. CHECK REGISTER
3.3. HIRE NEW POLICE OFFICER AT THE STARTING PAY PER THE
PATROL UNION CONTRACT AND PROBATION FOR THE FIRST
TWELVE MONTHS OF EMPLOYMENT
THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Open Mike
No one appeared for Open Mike.
Troth in Taxation Pubhc Hearing
City Administrator Pat Kdaers stated that the purpose of this hearing is to receive public
input on the proposed 2004 city budget and tax levy. He reviewed the budget process. Mr.
I~daers stated that Elk River state aids were reduced to 8 1/2 percent or $644,138 and the
legislature also set levy limits on municipalities. He stated that the general fund budget is
City Council Minutes Page 2
December 8, 2003
proposed in the amount of $7,875,400 for 2004, which is a $627,000 or 8.65 percent increase
over the adopted 2003 budget. He stated that the largest expenditure in the general fund
budget is for personal services.
Finance Director Lori Johnson stated that the Council approved a maximum tax levy of
$6,564,803. She reviewed the breakdown of how these funds will be used. Ms. Johnson
provided a comparison of the 2003 and 2004 projected tax levy. She stated that the
proposed city tax rate is decreasing slightly to 43.731 percent, which is a two percent
decrease from the tax rate for 2003. Nix. I~aers stated that the city's net tax capacity is
increasing by 12 percent.
Nix. K2aers and Ms. Johnson reviewed the general fund revenues, general fund expenditures,
special revenue funds, and the enterprise funds.
Mayor Fdinzing opened the public hearing.
Ron Middlestadt, 19681 T~vin Lakes Road-Questioned the amount of the fund balance.
Mr. K2aers stated that 40 percent of the city's operating budget is kept in reserve and this is a
guideline that is established by the State Auditor.
Ms. Johnson stated that the fund balance levet is addressed in the financial management plan
and this amount is needed in the fund to cover unexpected items such as cuts in local
government aid or a natural disaster.
Councilmember Dietz stated that the city will not collect money from property taxes until
June, so they use these funds to operate through the first half of the year.
There being no one else to speak to this issue, Mayor I',2inzing closed the public hearing.
Mayor Klinzing announced that the City Council would be considering the 2004 budget and
tax levy at 6:30 p.m. at the December 15, 2003 meeting held at the senior high small theater.
Other Business
Mayor [~dinzing stated that unless any Councilmembers had concerns over the content of
the Brimeyer summary that was distributed on November 21, 2003, she and Mr. Brimeyer
were going to present the work plan to the department heads at a 9:00 a.m. meeting on
December 16, 2003. It was the consensus of the Council to move forward with this project
as stated by the Mayor.
Staff Updates
Mr. K_laers provided a brief update of the City Hall construction project and noted that the
move has been moved postponed one month.
Executive Session
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE TO CALL AN EXECUTIVE SESSION TO
DISCUSS THE BOSTON/CONCORD ASSESSMENT APPEAL. THE MOTION
CARRIED 5-0
City Council Minutes
December 8, 2003
Page 3
The Council recessed at 7:05 p.m. to go into executive session. Following the executive
session Mayor ICIinzing reconvened the regular meeting at 7:45 p.m.
9. Adjournment
There being no further business, Mayor I~dinzing adjourned the meeting of the Elk River
City Council at 7:45 p.m.
Tina Allard
Executive Secretary