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Home My WebLink AboutSP October 13, 1982 ~ o¿ ANDOVER SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING - OCTOBER 13, 1982 MINUTES A Special Meeting of the Andover City Council was called to order by Mayor Jerry Windschitl on October 13, 1982, 7:30 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW for the purpose of discussing the 1983 proposed budget. Councilmen present: Jacobson, Lachinski, Orttel, Peach Councilmen absent: None Also present: City Engineer, James Schrantz; City Clerk, P. K. Lindquist; Members of the Fire Department, Chief Frank Stone, Assistant Chief Bill Bush, Tom May, Rich Schreiner, Ray Sowada; and Park and Recreation Commission Members Bill LeFebvre, Merlyn Prochniak Council discussion was on the September 1, 1982, memo to the Mayor and Council from the City Clerk/A. Administrator as to the projected mill levy of as much as 17 mi 11s. The Clerk explained the assessments for parks are included in the general fund. She also projected increasing the mill levy for normal expenses every year plus an overlevy for up to 2.5 mills for capital improvement purchases, assuming assessed valuation doesn't rise correspondingly, could mean as much as 17 mill levy, The 11.7 mills levied for 1982 includes the levy limit set by the City plus the overlevy for the 1978 general obligation bonds for the Fire Department and Public Works. Payment for the capital purchases for the grader, etc., as well as for the Public Works truck, are included in the general fund. She also stated the budget as proposed amounts to approximately 12.6 mills including all overlevies. Mayor Windschitl explained that the way the State auditor's system is run using gross numbers, no references are made to some of the larger in-out numbers such as SAC charges. This, in effect, distorts the figures over a period of time. He stated the City's auditors suggested those accounts be operated out of a separate fund and take them out of the normal operating fund. MOTION by Jacobson, Seconded by Ortte1, that we move to remove those items in the budget which reflect income for items such as SAC charges and other charges the City receives which are directly paid out again and are not applied toward the operating accounts be put into a separate fund. Motion carried unanimously. Discussion noted the Clerk should use her discretion as to which accounts would be placed into a separate fund, generally feeling those items of $5,000 or more which are not of an operating nature be pulled from the general fund. It was also noted that on the Budget Summary - 1983 Fiscal Year, the figures used for the individual accounts under Expenditures are not correct. They are shown as in the original budget, but they should reflect the reductions found under "Administrative Recommendations". With her recommendations, the budget balances at $1,032.263. Revenues Page Rl, 32162 Junkyards: Council questioned whether the fee for junkyard licenses covers the City's expenses involved. The Clerk was asked to review this further and make a recommendation. Page R3 33130 Grants - Other: This is the Community Development Block Grant funds for the Senior Citizen Addition and which will be removed from the operating budget per the previous motion. 33401 Local Government Aid: The Clerk advised the figures are those recommended by the League. Specia1 City Counci1 Meeting October 13, 1982 - Minutes Page 2 Page R4, 33420 Insurance Premiums Tax - Fire: The Clerk noted this figure was inadvertently left off the expenditures side and should be on Page E18 as well. There were no further changes or suggestions on the Revenues. Expenditures Council discussed the 1983 proposed employee divisions used for budgetary purposes. The Clerk explained when doing the budget she used an 8 percent increase for salaries. According to today's Consumer Index for Minnesota, 75 percent of 9.1 would be approximately 7 percent. Council debated the 8 percent increase. Some felt it is high. Others felt 7 or 8 percent could be used for an overall increase but that the inflationary increase should be less and some merit increase provided for those who would be deserving of it or " who are not at the top of their level. It was noted an 8 percent increase in salaries increases the budget by approximately $16,617. No decision was made at this time, but it was discussed again toward the end of the meeting. Page El, 106 Salaries: Change to $9,600. Page E2, 106 Salary: Change to $2,700. Page E8, Assessing: Counci1 genera11y fe1t the cost of assessing by the County is getting very costly, although no action was taken to make any changes at this time. Page E9, 3041 Planning & Zoning: Change to $2,000 to reflect the Attorney's review of the update of Ordinances 8 and 10. Page E10 106 Commission Salaries: Change to $3,000 to reflect possible increase in meetings to update ordinances. Page E12 530 Capital Outlay - Equipment Chief Stone explained the items he had budgeted for the Fire Station include refinishing the floor in the Fire Barn, the Department's portion for painting the outside of the Public Works Building, finishing the offices in the mezzanine plus changing the valves for the "hoses. After discussing the requests, the Council agreed to change this item to $4,000 which would leave approximately $l,20D for valves, $1,000 for the offices, and $1,800 for the floor and their share of painting the building. Recess at 8:49; reconvene at 9:13 p.m. 240 Small Tools: Council expressed concern that the total amount budgeted for small tools in the various departments is quite high, though no changes were suggested at this time. Page E13, 530 Capital Outlay - Improvements: Mr. Sowada indicated the amount requested was $1,000 for fencing and $500 for their portion for painting the outside of the Pub1ic Services Building. No changes were made to this item. Page E16, 580 Capital Outlay - Other Equipment: Mr. Schrantz stated the amount is for a pickup or car with good mileage and a radio, explaining the need for such a vehicle. No action was taken on this item. Page E18 124 Relief Association: Should be increased by $10,415 (Revenues from Insurance Premium Tax, Page R4) for a total of $15,415. Special City Council Meeting October 13, 1982 - Minutes Page 3 100 Salaries - Chief/Volunteers: Assistant Chief Bush reviewed their proposals for salaries, November 1, 1982, through October 31, 1983: weekly drills, 35 firefighters x $4 x 52 weeks = $7,280; 2000 projected fire call points x $5.50 = $11,000; Chief's pay, $1,500; Assistant Chief's pay, $600; Fire Marshall's pay, $540; Assistant Fire Marshall, $216; additional fire scene pay for Chief, 130 x $2 = $260, for Assistant Chief, 100 x $2 = $200, for Captains, 280 x $1.75 = $490, and for Lieutenant, 250 x $1.25 = $213.50, for a total budget of $22,398.50. They would like to increase the Department to its maximum of 35 people. The pay for the Assistant Chief and Assistant Fire Marshall is a new item. They are also proposing an increase to the Chief and Fire Marshall's salary and the amount per point for fire calls. Chief Stone stated one of the reasons he proposed a salary for the Assistant Chief is because he has increased the responsibilities of that position. Also, it is expected the Fire Marshall will be doing more for inspections, etc. Members of the Department also noted that the fire calls for 1982 have been low and cautioned against usin9 this year's calls as 'a basis for projectin9 points for next year. No Council action was taken on this item at this time. Page E19, 433 Dues/Registrations: Chief Stone requested this item not be reduced feeling the hèart of the Department is in its training. Council discussion was on the proposed 1983 budget for Fire Protection noting the large increase from the 1982 adopted budget of $61,590 to the proposed 1983 budget of $112,164 (including the Relief Association insurance premiums), keeping in mind the principal and interest payment of $27,552 for the new tanker truck recently approved. Council directed the Fire Department to reduce the 1983 proposed budget so that the bottom line including the payment for the new tanker truck and the Relief Association will not exceed $108,967. Page E20, Rescue Service: Chief Stone reviewed the proposed rescue service budget, noting 580 Capital Outlay - Equipment is for the purchase of a different van as the present one is beginning to rust out. Council directed the Rescue Squad to reduce the budget so that the bottom line will not exceed $9,682, which would include the $2,000 for the van. Page E2S, 530 Capital Outlay - Streets and 531 Capital Outlay - Sealcoating: Mr. Schrantz explained the amounts shown on the proposal reflect the City's policies to sealcoat 1/7 of the streets every year and to Class V 1/5 of the streets every year. He stated the policy is not being adhered to at this time. Council noted the sealcoating had originally cost about o~e mill, which would amount to approximately $45,000 at this time. Discussion was on the roads that have been sealcoated and those that will need it. Mayor Windschitl requested the Engineer to put a street list together with an estimated cost to be used for budgetary purposes. No action was taken on this item at this time. Page E30, S8D Capital Outlay - Street Signs: Council discussed the capital outlay expressing concern over the time and costs for sign replacement, especially in view of the signing program done in the City several years ago. It was agreed to change this number to $10,000. It was also suggested the signs be spot- welded so they couldn't be easily destroyed or removed and also to review the signs in general to determine if all of them are necessary. Page E32: Council agreed to the Administrative recommendations on the page. Page E33 510 Capital Outlay - Land: Should be $30,000 to reflect grant money for Kelsey Park, and then removed from the general fund as per the motion earlier this evening. Discussion was then on the status of the Kelsey Park acquisition and Special City Council Meeting October 13, 1982 - Minutes Page 4 the amounts involved. It was felt the City's share of the grant should come from the park dedication fund, which is not a part of this budget. Council asked that the Attorney provide a status report on the Kelsey park acquisition, especially as it relates to the land appraisal. 530 Capital Outlay - Improvements: Council discussion was on providing funds to do other park improvements in the City. Council agreed to change the amount to $10,000 for various park improvements, playgrounds, etc., for 1983. 580 Capital Outlay - Equipment: Mr. Schrantz explained the need for a better mower for the upkeep of the parks and ballfields. Council agreed to change the amount to $5,000. Discussion noted the budget as proposed reflects approximætely 12.6 mills. Discussion was again on salary increases. Several Councilmen felt some reward system should be set up, that a 7 percent increase on all salaries be placed in a pool to be divided among the employees for cost-of-living and merit increases. Another suggestion was to grant a 7 percent cost-of-living increase across the board and an additional one or two percent formerit increase to those who have earned it. It was agreed for budgetary purposes the Clerk would use a 7 percent increase on salaries and that the Councilor the Personnel Committee determine the distribution of that 7 percent within the next months. Mr. Schrantz explained he'd like to see the structure in Public Works using Mr. Sowada and Mr. Stone as supervisors of their respective departments. Council asked Mr. Schrantz to present a written proposal. No further action was taken to set the mill levy for 1983, with the Council agreeing to discuss the matter again at the Regular Meeting on Tuesday, October 19, 1982. MOTION by Orttel, Seconded by Peach, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 10:51 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ìÎ~~~<~~ Marc J la A. Peach Recording Secretary