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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP August 7, 1995 III CITY of ANDOVER Special city Council Meeting - August 7, 1995 1. Call to order - 7:00 p.m. 2. 1996 Budget 3. Adjourn , .... --, ,_ nl CITY of ANDOVER SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING - AUGUST 7, 1995 MINUTES A Special Meeting of the Andover City Council was called to order by Mayor Jack McKelvey on August 7, 1995, 7:07 p.m., at Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota, to review the proposed 1996 General Fund Budget. ,. Councilmembers present: Dehn, Jacobson, Knight Councilmembers absent: Kunza Also present: City Administrator, Richard Fursman various Staff members Others Mr. Fursman explained the proposed budget before the Council has not been edited. It is understood the expenses must be trimmed about $1 million; however, he stated the Council will be given reports from each Department so they understand what is being asked for in the budget. He pointed out the revenues are conservative figures. The wages proposed should be reviewed by the Personnel Committee, but they are included in the proposed budget. Administration - Mr. Fursman explained the budget reflects a request for an administrative intern and the reclassification of a secretary to an executive secretary status who would be shared with the Finance Department. Financial Administration - Jean McGann, Finance Director, re~iewed the objectives and work activities of the Department. The cost for assessing is based on the estimate from the county. The decrease for the City Clerk is due to a job definition change. The jump in elections is do to 1996 being an election year. Planning and Zoning - Dave Carlberg, Planning Director, explained the proposal is to bring subdivision review back to the Planning Department and remove a major portion of it from Engineering. In order for the Planning Department to handle that, Staff is proposing a full-time secretarial position and the addition of an assistant planner. Government Buildings - Mr. Fursman reviewed the objectives and proposed expenses, noting there are no major changes from 1995. Engineering - Scott Erickson, City Engineer, explained one objective of the Department is to do more designing of projects and administration of City improvement projects, bringing more of the City engineering work in-house. They are also looking at computerizing the Department and getting a binding system. Mr. Fursman explained about $75,000 in the budget is offset with anticipated revenue generated from construction projects, so there is an expected decrease in the Engineering budget. , - I] , Special Andover City Council Meeting Minutes - August 7, 1995 Page 2 Fire Department - Fire Chief Dan Winkel reviewed the objectives of the Department for 1996. The increase in the budget reflects the proposal to replace two vehicles, the Fire Chief's vehicle and Rescue 5. That total cost is about $120,000. Building Department - Dave Almgren, Building Official, reviewed the objectives and noted about 60 percent of the time is for inspections, 15 percent to do plan checks,S percent to issue permits, and 20 percent to do all of the other miscellaneous tasks. The increase in capital outlay is for a new S-lO Blazer. The existing vehicle would be shifted to the motor pool. Civil Defense - Mr. Almgren explained there is little history relating to the civil defense warning system. If the system is hit by lightening, the cost is paid by insurance. If some unit wears out, it is the City's expense. Right now all sirens are working. Street Department - Frank Stone, Public Works Superintendent,'explained the budget reflects money for curbing, which hasn't been done before. A lot of the curbing needs to be replaced. The Capital Budget also has $150,000 to cover overlays, plus there are funds for increased seal coating and cracksealing projects. The percentage of time for work activities as shown will have to be reworked. Mr. Erickson then showed several slides indicating the deterioration of some of the City streets. To protect the investment of the City's infrastructure and increase the life of the streets, it is important to have a regular maintenance program of cracksealing and sealcoating. Storm Sewers - Mr. Stone reviewed the objectives and work activities for storm sewers. Tree Preservation and Disease Problems - Mr. Stone explained Mr. Sowada does a lot of inspections and coordinates with the contractor for oak wilt suppression. Mr. Carlberg explained the City has been receiving matching DNR grants for oak wilt suppression. There is about $53,000 in the budget for that effort. Weed Control - Mr. Stone stated there is a possibility it may be more economical to contract this out. No specific recommendations are being made at this time. ' Parks Department - Todd Haas, Assistant City Engineer, noted one of the major objectives is to continue the trail system from Bunker Hills Park, as there has been considerable resident request for that project. The 1994 and 1995 budgets had approximately $30,000 for capital expenditures. The request for 1996 is for $455,000 to complete the trail system and City Hall Complex #2. Recycling - Mr. Stone reviewed the objectives and explained the Department is continually looking for ways to improve and to work with the community. - '·t't~ --"- -. <--- - U Special Andover City Council Meeting Minutes - August 7, 1995 Page 3 Mr. Fursman explained the review was meant to inform the Council of each Department's goals and objectives and to see how they are changing. He also explained that a 1 percent increase in tax rate will increase the taxes 20 cents per month on a $100,000 home in the City and generate $20,000 per year in revenue. He also showed comparisons between Andover and other metropolitan cities which indicate that Andover's tax rate and per capita spending is among the lowest. It is difficult to state a percentage increase for salaries for 1996 because individual salary increases were designed to raise the salaries of those individuals who are in the lower end of the Stanton group. There is an equivalent of five full-time additional employees in the proposed budget. He suggested the Personnel Committee review the proposed salary schedule prior to the next budget meeting. He will get more budget information for salaries on individual percentage increases for the next budget meeting. Mr. Fursman also stated a mid-year analysis of the 1995 budget shows that the estimates are quite accurate, plus many of the objectives established for 1995 have been accomplished. He will get a copy of those objectives for the Council to compare with the proposed 1996 objectives. Councilmember Jacobson felt the objectives were rather vague and that they should be more specific. Include specific time tables for when items are to be completed so they can be paced throughout the year. He also thought that since the City will be receiving more MUSA and it is an election year, constru<;tion will continue in the City. Given that, he thought consideration could be given to increasing the number of building permits used to determine revenues. Mr. Almgren stated at the time the budget was done, they didn't know if the City would be getting more MUSA. The Council then discussed a "not-to-exceed" percentage figure for a tax rate increase for 1996. Ms. McGann explained the capital improvement items are shown in the budget because when the City issued the last Equipment Certificate, the intent was not to issue another one for three years. The Council asked for a separate list of capital improvement items shown in the proposed budget along with a reason for the request. Ms. McGann also stated it is possible to reserve excess funds from the 1995 budget for specific items in the 1996 budget. It requires a motion of the Council. Because of the larger tax rate increase for 1995 and with inflation estimated to be 3 percent, the Council generally felt the tax rate for 1996 should not increase by more than 2 to 3 percent. It was agreed the Personnel Committee will review the proposed salary increases prior to the next budget meeting. The Council set a special meeting to attempt to balance the proposed 1996 budget for Monday, August 21, 1995, 7:00 p.m. at the Andover City Hall. MOTION by Dehn, Seconded by Jacobson, to adjourn. Motion carried on a 4-Yes, I-Absent (Kunza) vote. The meeting adjourned at 8:42 p.m. Secretary