HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMin_06May24Regular Meeting of the City Council
May 24, 2006
Members present: Council members Lindstrom, Talbot and Harris, Interim City Administrator Hoag, Finance Director Olson, and Assistant City Administrator/Deputy Clerk Kreuser.
Members absent: Mayor Gehrz, Council member Kuettel
Council member Lindstrom called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. He added “information/announcements” to the agenda.
The minutes of the May 10, 2006 city council meeting were approved.
Public Hearing:
Interim City Administrator Hoag gave an overview of the NPDES reapplication process, MS4 rules and requirements, and progress and goals. Hoag explained the six components of the NPDES
requirement: public education and outreach, public participation and outreach, illicit discharge detection and elimination, construction site run-off control, post-construction run-off
control, pollution prevention and good housekeeping.
Council member Lindstrom opened the public hearing. No comments were made. The public hearing was closed.
Council member Lindstrom asked the environment commission be involved, and Interim City Administrator Hoag stated for 2006 and the expanded education aspect, they will be actively involved.
Council member Lindstrom asked about the possibility of rain gardens in road reconstruction projects. He asked Hoag to think about including them in the future. Interim City Administrator
Hoag answered for all reconstruction the watershed district is suggesting them. For Roselawn, it was determined there was no good spot along the street to place a rain garden. On the
Roseville side, there are two infiltration trenches going in, but rain garden did not fit in along the site.
Consent Agenda:
The following four items on the consent agenda were moved for approval by Council member Talbot. The motion passed unanimously.
1. General disbursements through 5/18/06: $108,218.60
Payroll through 5/15/06: $13,485.17
Approval of licenses
Approve acceptance of donation of food by Dino’s Gyros restaurant for the May 12 reception
Temporary salary increase for Greg Hoag, Interim City Administrator
Policy Agenda:
1. Approval of purchase of speed monitoring trailer
Interim City Administrator Hoag gave a short overview of the portable trailer. He explained the cost is mid-range in comparison with other trailers. Hoag introduced Officer Jeff Scholl
from the SAPD who was on-hand to answer questions.
Council member Harris pointed out the trailer collects data on speeds, as well as informs vehicles of their speed. Hoag replied that there is no collection of license plates or photos,
just a speed-only database that can be downloaded to Excel.
Officer Scholl stated the trailer would be very helpful in monitoring speed, especially in areas where complaints on speeding are abundant. He stated the trailer can be deployed in
lieu of an officer, and after data is collected, officers will be able to patrol more heavily in areas during high-speed times.
Interim Administrator Hoag stated after reviewing the specs of this model, it was determined this is what the City needs. He added they are still looking into adding other amenities,
but the cost will not go over the allocated amount by the council. Those amenities could include a violator alert series of flashing lights, a pre-speed alert message.
Council member Talbot asked Officer Scholl what the best and worst features of the trailer were. Officer Scholl answered the best thing is it is portable, easy to set-up and program.
Interim City Administrator Hoag added that as an income-producing mechanism the City could offer this device to Saint Anthony when it is not in use in Falcon Heights.
Council member Harris moved to approve the purchase of a speed monitoring trailer. The motion passed unanimously.
2. CAFR Report
Matthew Mayer of Kern, DeWenter, Viere presented to the council the independent auditor’s report, which is the final product of the audit, and stated he was confident the City would
again receive the GFOA Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 16th straight year. Mayer stated there were no findings related to legal compliance in
the audit.
In 2005, revenues were $1.376 million, expenditures were $1.565 million, and net transfers were $94,000. Mayer explained that revenues did not cover the expenditures, and so in the
transfers there was help to balance the budget. A net transfer of $94,000 to the budget included $204,000 in from the future improvements funds to balance the operational budget and
$110,000 out for the new fire truck. He explained the reason for this transfer was due to the council’s decision to keep the levy down and spend down reserves. The fund balance of
$1.215 million represents 81% of a year’s expenditures, while the recommended balance is 35-50%.
Next, Mayer shared graphs of the general fund. He stated that the City’s revenues were generally the same from 2004 to 2005, and the expenditures were increasing at a modest percentage.
This is due to the council’s decision to spend down some of the City’s reserves. The expenditures were allocated the same in 2005 as they were in 2004.
Mayer explained the net assets went down in 2005, about a 1% decline since 2004. Mayer explained the reason for this was because the City was investing in capital assets; the liquid
assets of the City were traded for capital assets.
Mayer explained the sanitary sewer fund. The revenues for this fund covered the expenditures, and there is cash flowing positively in this fund.
Mayer said that KDV audited the City for accounting procedures, and he stated, as has been his perennial finding, there is lack of segregation of accounting duties. He explained further
that with a small office the number of staff it takes to adequately handle
the City’s finances is lower. They do generally recommend a staff of four, five, or six people so that duties can be divided, but the cost-benefit does not cover an increase in staff
members in Falcon Heights case. Council member Talbot noted we are fully aware that the small number of staff is a notable condition, but it does not make sense to do it any other way.
Mayer also included that out of 100 entities his firm audits, only two or three are free from this condition.
Council member Lindstrom asked Olson or Hoag to comment on what the City does to oversee the finances. Finance Director Olson replied the City is very thorough with its budget process.
He added that with each department, he distributes monthly statements and compares them to the budget. If any line items are high or low, they are investigated. Mayer added that during
the audit, they make sure safeguards are devised, check payables, payroll, and revenues, and interview City personnel on accounting procedure, and KDV is satisfied with Falcon Heights
procedure.
Council member Lindstrom thanked City staff and recognized Finance Director Olson for his superb work on the City’s finances by receiving the 15th consecutive GFOA award. Council member
Talbot thanked Olson for his thoroughness, consistent excellence, and for implementing GASB34 earlier than necessary. Finance Director Olson also thanked past Accounting Intern Robert
Pilgrim for his meticulous financial expertise.
3. Approval of City Administrator contract
Council member Lindstrom noted Justin Miller would be starting June 19. The council had no changes to the document. Miller stated he was honored to join the staff, thanked the community
for its support, and was looking forward to starting with the City.
Council member Harris moved to approve the city administrator contract. The motion passed unanimously.
Community Forum: none
Information/Announcements:
Council member Talbot thanked Heather Worthington for her flawless work in Falcon Heights. He wished her luck in Edina.
Council member Lindstrom invited residents to the June 7 council workshop where a presentation will be made on the walkability of the City. The workshop will be at 6:30 p.m. at City
Hall.
Interim Administrator Hoag asked for resident’s patience during road reconstruction, especially since the Hamline/Hoyt project has been accelerated. Tarring of Hamline will begin Thursday
the 25th. Any questions can be directed to Greg at 792-7618.
Council member Lindstrom adjourned the meeting at 8:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Stacey Kreuser
Assistant City Administrator/Deputy Clerk