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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP March 26, 1991 ~ CITY of ANDOVER Special City Council Meeting March 26, 1991 1:30 P.M. Call to Order I. Budget Adjustments 2. Council Objectives 3. 4. Adjournment Q ~ CITY of ANDOVER SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING - MARCH 26, 1991 MINUTES A Special Meeting of the Andover City Council was called to order by Mayoe Ken OrtteJ on March 26, 1991: 7:37 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevaed NW, Andover, Minnesota. Councilmembers present: Jacobson, McKeJvey, Perry, Smi th Councllmembers absent: None Also present: City Administeator, Jim Schrantz: City Finance Dleectoe, Howard Koolick; Building Official, Dave AJmgren: Publ ic Works Supervisor, Frank Stone; Fire Chief Glenn Sml th; Park and Receeatlon Commlssionee Darrell DeLaeco; and others BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS Mr. Koolick summarized the budget adjustments proposed by Statf to compensate tor the cutback In State Aid funds. The City knows about $33,000 of the budget has already been cut, and there are rumors that there wi 11 be an equaJ cut in December. They looked at making the cuts but stilI maintain the current level of services and statf. The proposed expenditure cuts to the General Fund are set out in two phases. It is known the $31,874 in the first phase will need to be taken out at the budget. Phase II is a proposal foe another reduction of an equal amount In the event even further cuts wi I I need to be made later In the year. Chief smith didn't eealize the Fire Marshal salary came out of their budget. He was uncomtoetabJe giving up $25,000 trom the Fire Depaetment all at this time as i t is a disproportionate share compared to the other Depaetments. Though the amount budgeted for salaries may not all be used, past experience has been that tunds need to be shifted to cover other line Items. He also noted the Fiee Department has not had a capital outlay budget for three years, and there ace many activities taking place In the Department at this time. Commissioner DeLarco telt the recommended $12,000 reduction in the Park and Recreation budget tor the deepening of Strootman Park pond and the construction of a permanent warming house at Hawkrldge park would be agreeable. He said the Pack Commission would not be comfortabJe el iminating the fencing near the benches at the City Hall ba I I fie I ds. Mr. Stone explained that is the fencing from the first and third bases to the outtields to close the tields. Commissioner DeLarco also pointed out that wi th the proposed cutback, the park bUdget is scaled back to that of two years ago, yet there are more parks, more residents, and more demands for certain services. He also explained the advantages at fencing the bal Ifields to keep theee- and four-wheelers off the fields. - ..--.- Special Ci ty Counci I Meeting Minutes - March 26, 1991 Page 2 (Budget Adjustments, Continued) The Counc II then went through the budget page by page, with Councllmembee Jacobson recommending Items that could be reduced or el iminated. He proposed the tollowlng: CITY COUNCIL - LMC Dues: Delete $150 per Staff recommendation. ADMINISTRATION - Dues/Registrations: Delete $1,000. ATTORNEY - Charter Commission: Take out the entire $300. PLANNING AND ZONING - Dues/Registrations: Reduce by $500. Discussion noted that the Staff would need to research what dues and registeations are required, which ones have already been expended, and the amount at deduction which could reasonably be made. DATA PROCESSING - Protessional Services: Less $750 per Staff recommendation. POLICE PROTECTION - Crime Watch: EI iminate the Item for a savings of $9,000. Mayor Orttel questioned the wisdom of eliminating this item as It has been a faiely successful program in the City. He felt the progeam does make a difference by educating the people. I t was agreed the Staft should contact Melanie DeLuca, Community School Coordinator, to find out how the program is tunctlonlng. Mayor Orttel stated he would check Into having the Crime Watch newsletter which is no longer being done by the Deputies. FIRE PROTECTION - Wages: Less $25,000 per Staft recommendation. In comparing what was budgeted and what was spent In 1990 tor wages, Councilmember Jacobson felt the amount budgeted lett room tor the proposed cut. RESCUE SERVICE - Dues/Registrations: Delete $250. Chief Smith noted the item Is also tor schooling, recertifications, etc. Councllmember Jacobson argued the item rose tram $800 In 1989 to $1,692 In 1990 to $4,500 In 1991. He felt there was room for the $250 cut. PROTECTIVE INSPECTION - Dues/Registrations: Mr. Almgren explained what the $500 budget was for. No changes weee eecommended. CIVIL DEFENSE: Mr. Almgren explained the $1,000 for operating sUPPlies was budgeted In case the batteeies die and need to be replaced. They have no history of how long the batteries last. Replacement is about $100 tor each of ten batteries. Councllmember Jacobson questioned the total budget of $2,400 when only $543 was expended in 1990, though no specific eeduction was suggested. STREETS AND HIGHWAYS - Rentals: Delete $5,000. Special City Council Meeting Minutes - Maech 26. 1991 Page 3 (Budget Adjustments, Continued) STREETS AND HIGHWAYS - Sea1coatlng: Councllmember Jacobson recommended a deletion of $10,000, which Is $4,000 less than the Statf suggestion. There was some discussion on the question of assessing the residents for sealcoatlng. Mr. Schrantz said one policy could be to cai] crackseailng maintenance, which would come tram the General Fund, and sealcoatlng cosmetic, which would then be assessed to the residents. Mr. Stone telt the City could seaicoat the steeets on a seven-year cycle. The $60,000 budget will covee the cost of cracksealing approximately 22 miles of streets this year, assuml ng he can get summer help to do It. The cost of the summer help Is not in the budget. No decision was made on budgeting for summer help. SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL - Contract Services: Reduce by $8,000. STORM SEWERS: Mayor Orttel pointed out that some cities charge the residents a user fee tor storm sewer maintenance, which is bi I Jed along with the sanitary sewer, water, and street lighting bills. Because Andover is both rural and urban and there Is no billing In the rural area, It may be difficult to do. It Is also a change In phi losophy. He suggested the item be discussed at some future date and a policy decision made. Counc i I agreed. PARK AND RECREATION - Summee Schoo]: Delete the $6,000. Mayor Orttel noted this Is the one tangible Item that the City gives the young residents of the City. It was agreed to discuss this Item with Melanie DeLuca and have her report and make a recommendation. TREES AND WEED CONTROL - Dues/Registrations: Delete the item of $400. UNALLOCATED: Reduce by $5,000. Mr. Koolich noted the proposed cuts are mace than $62,000, and any extra would go into the contingency tund. Discussion eeturned to the Fire Peotection budget, with Chief Smith explaining the additional expendituees that will be Incurred because of the inceeased personnel and stations and the need to budget for the worst-case number of flreca]1s. Councllmember Jacobson felt the equipment should be coming tram the bond. Chief Smith stated much ot it wi I], but they will be staying within the proposed numbees at the bond, and there may be additional needs beyond that. Council noted at this point the bulk of the cuts are from Fire Protection and Park and Recreation. The Statf was asked to look at the budget again given the suggested reductions and Council discussion this evening. With the other suggested cutbacks, the reduction from those two departments could be scaled back. It was agreed the amount at reduction In the budget should not exceed the $62,000, which Is the best estimate of the total cuts for this year. Mr. Koollck stated he will present at least the Phase I expendi ture cuts at the Ape II 2 Counci I meeting. .--- .,-- Special City Council Meet I ng Minutes - Maech 26, 1991 Page 4 COUNCIL OBJECTIVES The Counc i I reviewed the 1991 Ideas for Andover City Council Priorities which had been prepared by Staff and made the fol lowing comments and recommendations: CITY POLICIES - * Assessment Manual - Completed * TIF Policy - A proposed policy wi I I be presented to the Council by the Planning Department at their April 16 meeting. * Establish a written investment - Counc II telt it would be beneficial to have a written policy for Investments. Mr. Koolick stated he would bring a policy to the Council in the fall. * Establish a written tund balance policy - Completed. * Water Supply - Radium Levels - Staff noted the welJs ace In campI iance wi th the proposed new radium levels. Mayoe Oettel noted that regardless of the eadlum levels, a fourth we II Is needed in the event the third well needs repair, etc. He telt the City should proceed with the plan to drlJI the tourth we II and make the looping connection along Crosstown Boulevaed. It was agreed that the Item should be placed on the next wack session special meeting, and that for that meeting the finances should be explored as to how to fund It. * Rueal Development - Discussed with the PJannlng Commission at the Jast joint meeting and wi I I be an on-going Item. * Severance Fund - Mr. Koolick explained that the Personnel Pol icy al lows for severance pay tor vacation, camp time and sick leave. For the long-term employees, the seveeance pay could be as much as $10,000 to $12,000. It is cueeently an unfunded I iablll ty, asking If the Counc i I wishes to set up a separate accounting fund to which the General Fund would make annual contributions to fund severance pay. The Counc i I directed Mr. KooJ Ick to make a recommendation regarding a separate accounting fund policy, wi th the amount to be actuarllly deteemined. * Landf i I I Tipping Fee Ordinance - Council asked that the legality of charging tipping fees be determined. Statf was also asked to check on the status of the Site Q landfi II siting process. * Budgeting Policy - Councilmember Jacobson felt a policy should be estabJlshed to guide the Staff In preparing the budget which would relate to the amount of inflation and growth. Counc i ] agreed to discuss the Item before the 1992 budgeting process begins. ~. .,,--- . ". Special City Counci I Meeting Minutes - Maech 26, 1991 Page 5 (Counci I Objectives, continued) GENERAL TASKS TO ACCOMPLISH - * Compensation Plan - Camp Worth - Mr. Schrantz stated that Is in process. * Union Contract - Me. Schrantz stated the conteact has not yet been negotiated, but they are teylng to get the Union to agree to al lowing the City to hire summer help. * WDE Landf III Closing - Mayor Orttel explained he has asked foe data regarding methane gas migration In and around the landfill that the City can base an ordinance on. He has also asked for the drawings of the proposed excavation to the south of the Jandfi)l. In that southern area, the City is being asked to llmi t It to commercial construction which do not go underground. The MWCC has approved a policy that groundwater pumping will not be subject to the SAC fee. The decision stilI needs to be made as to where the effJuents wil I be discharged. * Camp Storm Drainage Plan - CCWD and LRRWMO - Mr. Schrantz stated TKDA has the plans almost completed. * LRRWMO Assessment District - Mr. Schrantz explained the establishment of a speclaJ taxing district would mean those residents in that district would pay tor the LRRWMO costs. Right now those costs are being borne by the City's General Fund. ThIs year the City's share of the costs tor the District Is only $2.800, but it may be mace In the tutuee. He recommended the public hearing be held the end of April or beginning of May. Mayor OrtteJ asked that the cost of creating a separate taxIng dlstelct be researched with the county. He also requested that when the public hearing Is held, an estimated annual cost be provided In the hearing notice. * Fire Stations 1 and 2 Development/Construction - In process. * Fiee Department - Hepatitis "B" VaccInations - ChIef Smith stated there is nothing in the budget for this Item. It Is a series of three shots at an estimated cost of $160 per person. Counc II asked that he come back with more specific costs and information. * Five-year Capital Impeovement Plan - Council di rected Staff to present a revised Capital Impeovement Plan for capital equipment so the costs can be budgeted rathee than overlevied. * Consulting Firms - Councllmember Peery was concerned that the Information and options given by the consulting firms generally does not include the most recent technological methods. No specific direction was given on this Item. Special City Counci I Meeting Minutes - March 26, 1991 Page 6 (Councl I Objectives, continued) * Junkyard Aeea - It was agreed the Economic Deve]opment Committee should look Into tuture development of that area Including naiJing down the location of the proposed CommercIal Drive. COUNTY/STATE/FEDERAL LOBBYING - * Transportation - Council didn't teel the need to get involved wi th lobbying for the various items listed; howevee, It was recommended the Road Committee cou1d consider encoueaging the county to move up the timetable for the reconstruction of Val ley View Drive. It was also suggested the Road Committee give some consideration as to whether the City wants to or needs to take a position on the se I ectl on at an airpoet site. It was noted that many cities are doing a 2010 Plan, though the City's Comprehensive Plan Task Force has utilized resident input and is essentiaJly doing the same thing In updating the Comprehensive Plan. * Landf i I I - Site Q - The City has alreadY committed to lobbying efforts. * Financing (TIF, Fiscal Disparities, School Districts) - The City has already committed to lobbying efforts. SOLID WASTE IMPLEMENTATION - Counc II telt these are priorities that should be developed by the City's Recycling Coordinator. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY - It was fel t the Economic Development Committee should review the marketing of the Commercial Park and discuss a five-year plan to develop the TIF area. STREET OVERLAY AND SEALCOATING - * Old Developer Subdivisions - Already addressed by the Road Committee. * Assessments or Genera] Fund - The Council briefly discussed the philsophy of assessing residents for sealcoatlng the streets, though no consensus was reached at this time. It was agreed that this is an Item that should be discussed in depth in the future. LOCAL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT - - ..- - Special CI ty Councl I Meeting Minutes - March 26, 1991 Page 7 (Councl I Objectives, continued) * Signalization - Council felt the need for signals should be determined and recommended by either Staff or the Road Committee as tratfic and conditions warrant. * Safety Education - Mr. Schrantz explained the item refees to writing articles In the newslettee regarding trattlc safety. Counc i I agreed that should be done as space in the newsletter allows. PARK ISSUES - * Kelsey Pack - In progress. * Relations with Commission - Council ageeed to hold a Joint session with the Park and Receeatlon Commission. Commissioner DeLarco stated they will discuss a date at their April 4 meeting. * Update Park Plan - There wll I be an updated Park Plan Chapter in the Comprehensive PIan. This is a Park Baaed item that they may want to consldec. PLANNING ISSUES - * Comprehensive Plan Update - In progeess. * Rural Development - Discussed with the Planning Commission at a joint meeting. * 2010 - Counci I telt the Comprehensive Plan update Is basically the same thing and that theee is no need to go theough It again tor another plan. DRUG TASK FORCE - Counc i I agreed to look at this item again when the 1992 budget is consideeed. COMMUNITY CELEBRATIONS - Counci I member Smith has already been appointed to the committee invo]ved with the Fourth at July celebration. He stated he wi]] report to the Counc i I when he has more information on it. ,- Special Ci ty Counci] Meeting Minutes - March 26, 1991 Page 8 (Counci I Objectives, continued) PUBLIC INFORMATION PROGRAM - * Use of newsletter - Council noted the issue of whether or not to continue the official Andover news]etter through the Andover Express needs to be discussed at the end of the three-month trial peeiod in May. * Community Awareness - Councilmember McKelvey noted the Community Schoo] will schedu]e a Town Meeting, but they want the City to set the date. Counc i J suggested Tuesday, Apr I I 23. The two topics of discussion are to be trees (peeservatlon, diseased trees, and reforestation) and taxes (real estate taxes and the ettect of State Aid cuts to the City). MAYOR AND COUNCIL INPUT Councilmember Jacobson reported he and Counci1member Smith attended a Neighborhood Preservation Association meeting; and In response to an inquiry, he informed the residents he undeestood that the request foe sanitary sewer for the Hay property will be submitted to the MetropoJitan Council as a separate amendment but at the same time that the Comprehensive Plan is submitted. Several other Councilmembers did not understand it to be that way, that the amendment was to be separate and sent in as soon as possible. Da ve Car I ber'g, City PJanner, stated he Is meeting with the Met CouncIl Staff to determine the procedure to submit the amendment as soon as possible. The discussion was then on when the CAB Interceptor will be available to seevice that area. Mayor Orttel understood there are no plans to bring the CAB pipe under the Rum River, that Andover wll I be served by the existing 36-inch pipe that is already in place to the Andover boeder In Anoka, and that theore ti ca II y it would be able to service Andover this fal I . Because there Is uncertainty about the pipe in Anoka, the City may request that the Hay propeety be temporaeily served by the Coon Rapids Interceptor Councilmember Jacobson stated he wi]] relay the Intormation to those residents. MOTION by Jacobson, Seconded by Smith, to adjourn. Motion carried unan imousl y. Meeting adjourned at 10:18 p.m. Respectfully submitted, \~""--~ ~~L Maecella A. Peach, Recording Secretary .On _ ~. .-