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Home My WebLink AboutSP September 12, 1985 ~ 01 ANDOVER SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING - SEPTEMBER 12, 1985 MINUTES A Special Meeting of the Andover City Council was called to order by Mayor Jerry Windschitl on September 12, 1985, 7:35 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota, for the purpose of discussing the proposed 1986 Budget. Councilmen present: Elling, Knight, Lachinski, Orttel Councilmen absent: None Also present: City Engineer, James Schrantz; City Clerk/A. Administrator, P. K. Lindquist;,Public Works, Frank Stone; Charlie Veiman; and others The meeting was closed to the public to discuss the litigation against the Coon Creek Watershed regarding the Ditch 57 project with City Attorney William Hawkins. The meeting was then called to order at 8:48 p.m. 1986 PROPOSED BUDGET The Council reviewed the proposed budget. REVENUES Page R-2, 32210 Building Permits: Mayor Windschitl thought the figure estimated for building permits was conservative, suggesting a more realistic figure would be 150 permits. EXPENDITURES Public Works Building Page E-16, 580 Capital Outlay - Equipment: Mr. Schrantz stated the heating unit in the Public Works Building is not effièient. They do not intend to do anything with the heating unit until it actually quits, but he has added $4,000 in the budget in the event the heating unit would need to be replaced. Council agreed to leave the item at $7,700, agreeing with the Administrative Recommendation at this time. Fire Protection The following members of the Fire Department were present: Fire Chief Bob Palmer, Assistant Chief Glen Smith, Firefighter Tom Miller. Pagè E-22, 100 Salaries - Chief/Volunteers: Mr. Miller explained the reason for the increase was due to several things: an increase in point value from $5.75 to $6, an increase in the compensation for Fire Chief and Assistant Chief, six additional firefighters, and a projected increase in the number of fire calls. Council was concerned that the overall budget for Fire Protection increased substantially over last year, and has more than doubled in the last two years, concerned that the City is not going to be able to continue funding these large jumps for fire protection. The Clerk noted the Administrative Recommendation leaves in a half-time Fire Marshall but has removed the equipment van and Fire Marshall's vehicle. The remaining time for the Fire Marshall has been budgeted in Engineering. Special City Council Meeting September 12, 1985 - Minutes Page 2 101 Salaries - Staff: There was some question on the part of the Council as to whether or not a part-time Fire Marshall is needed in the City yet and whether it is affordable at this time. No decision was made at this time. 220/221 Repair/Maintenance Supplies - General/Vehicles: Assistant Chief Smith explained the increase is due to contracting with a garage to service the trucks and due to increased maintenance as the trucks age. He explained the firefighters are no longer wanting to spend the time repairing the trucks and feel a better job is being done by professionals with more expertise on the vehicles. Page E-23, 530 Capital Outlay - Equipment: Mr. Smith reviewed the use of an equipment van in the Department, noting that would reduce the deterioration of the equipment because it will be properly stored. That will also alleviate the crowding on the trucks if the equipment can be carried to the scene in an equipment van. Plus more equipment can be brought to a scene to be better able to meet the needs of the firefighters. The Clerk noted using the Administrative Recommendation, the total for Fire Protection would be $185,788. Council noted that is still about a 30 percent increase. Rescue Page E-24, 101 Salaries; Chief Palmer explained the increase is due to a projected increase in calls, noting they will be over budget in 1985. 433 Dues/Registrations: Chief Palmer asked that the $1,000 reduced in the item as an Administrative Recommendation be put back into the budget. He explained the schooling for the EMTs is costly but necessary. The reason they have not used the entire budget for 1985 is an estimated $1,200 in such costs were not turned into the City, those individuals opting to claim it as a tax deduction instead. Overall the Council didn't feel there was much that could be done to reduce the Rescue Service budget. But the Fire Department was asked to justify the cost increases and to recommend changes as necessary to reduce the overall budget for Fire Protection for the next budget meeting. Streets and Highways Page E-28, 101 Salaries: There was some confusion as to whether the $42,149 shown in the budget reflects another public works employee or not. The Clerk is to research this. Page E-29, 530 Capital Outlay - Streets: Mr. Stone stated he would like to see this item returned to $10,000 to be able to better maintain the Class V roads in the City. He stated they simply are not able to grade some of the roads any more. Caution was expressed by the Council that the City not go beyond the long-standing policy of not improving gravel/sand/dirt streets in the City unless it is an assessed project. No action was taken by the Council on this item, so it remains at $5,000. 531 Capital Outlay - Sealcoating: Council was concerned that by reducing this item $20,000 as recommended by the Administration that the City will get way behind in maintaining/sealcoating the paved streets. It was agreed at this time to keep this item at $40,000. Special City Council Meeting September 12, 1985 - Minutes Page 3 Page E-29, 580 Capital Outlay - Equipment: Mr. Stone explained the request for a tire changed in the Public Works Department. Council generally felt such a machine had a high risk factor in terms of workmen's compensation and was not in favor of the City purchasing it. It was agreed the cost in this item for the tire changer would be taken out but an amount would be returned to the item to cover the purchase of rims and tires for backup instead. Street Lighting Page E-33: It was agreed to add $1,000 to this category for the purpose of starting a street lighting program at particular intersections this year. Mayor Windschitl stated the police will have a list of their priority intersections for recommended lighting for Council consideration. Street Signs - General Page E-34: Council was concerned with the quality of street signs in the City, noting many of them are fading. Public Works was asked to solicit bids from other sign companies. Mayor Windschitl also asked the Department to get prices for having wooden "City of Andover" signs made and installed at the main entrances to the City. He felt this would be an attractive addition to the City. Park and Recreation Park and Recreation Commission Chairman Merlyn Prochniak was present for this discussion. Page E-38, 530 Capital Outlay - Improvements: Chairman Prochniak stated the original request from the Department was for $60,000, not $40,000 as noted on that line item. There was some discussion on whether or not there was a verbal understanding that the Council would commit $60,000 each year for park improvements. If that is so, an additional $40,000 would need to be added to this item because the Administrative Recommendation had reduced this item to $20,000. There was also the question as to what makes up the $60,000 commitment -- just improvements or improvements plus equipment. Severa I Councilmen thought it was just improvements, and that is what the Commission is using for its figures when determining the three-year park improvement plan for the bond issue. At this point, Council agreed to budget this item for $60,000. 580, Capital Outlay - Equipment: Chairman Prochniak stated $29,000 has been budgeted for the purchase of a new tractor. The Clerk indicated that item has been moved to Debt Service, Items 603 and 613 and is still in the budget. Council questioned the amount, wondering why a toro tractor couldn't be purcahsed, which would cost considerably less. For the next Council meeting, it was asked that budget increases of over 5 to 7 percent be justified. It was realized that approximately $60,000 was added to the budget this evening, and an equal amount needs to be taken out to balance. No specific date was set for the next budget meeting, agreeing to discuss the matter again at the regular meeting on September 17. PERSONNEL MOTION by Knight, Seconded by Elling, to set Wednesday, September 18, as a special meeting to discuss personnel matters. Motion carried on a 4 Yes, I Absent (Orttel) vote. 110TION by Knight, Seconded by Elling, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. ,11eeting adjour~ed at ~ J I Cv'--~,_ -, ~\··~Cv _ ~arçe A. Peach, Recordlng Secretary"------ -.. ~