HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCWkspAgenda_09July1_correctedFalcon Heights City Council Workshop City Hall 2077 W. Larpenteur Ave Falcon Heights MN 55113 Workshop Agenda July 1, 2009 6:30 p.m. 1. Setting of the 2010 City Council Goals 2. 2009/10
City Financial Update ?????????????????????
WKSP 1 7/1/09 TO: Mayor Lindstrom, Council members Harris, Kuettel, Long, and Mercer-Taylor FROM: Justin Miller, City Administrator Re: Setting 2010 City Council Goals Explanation: Each
year the city council reviews their previous year’s goals and revises them to meet the current priorities of the city. This process is usually completed in the summer so that staff can
prepare a budget for the upcoming year with these goals in mind. Attached to this report are the city council’s 2009 goals as adopted last year. The council will revise this list as
needed and then formally approve them at an upcoming city council meeting.
City of Falcon Heights 2009 Goals Purpose: To sustain this community as a good place to live, work and visit. Goal 1: To protect the public health and safety. Strategy 1: Provide public
safety services to citizens. Action Items: ? Provide a responsive, visible, police service utilizing community oriented policing model ? Provide a responsive, well-trained fire service
? Practice the emergency management plan ? Participate in Metro-wide emergency management planning, activities and exercises ? Continue to offer training to prepare volunteers to assist
with disaster response ? Maintain Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) throughout the city ? Work with other cities, agencies and institutions in Ramsey County to develop a county-wide
emergency management inventory and plan ? Continue to use St. Paul for ambulance service ? Participate in the North Suburban Haz Mat Team ? Explore options for a bicycle safety program
and bicycle patrols ? Promote 55 Alive programs ? Conduct proactive neighborhood crime prevention meetings as needed ? Promote services provided by SAPD such as premise checks, vacation
checks and car seat safety ? Implement rental licensing program Strategy 2: Participate in initiatives designed to prevent crime and the need for emergency responses. Action Items: ?
Promptly remove graffiti from public buildings and provide removal materials for city businesses ? Expand opportunities for using technology to improve crime watch notification
? Communicate regularly with residents about Homeland Security and the emergency management plan ? Support the work of the Neighborhood Commission and Neighborhood Liaisons ? Use traffic-calming
tools including the speed monitoring trailer and warning signs ? Take steps to prevent hate crimes through the activities of the Human Rights Commission Strategy 3: Participate in early
intervention programs with juveniles. Action Items: ? Support Northwest Youth and Family Services (NYFS) ? Continue referrals to NYFS through facilitating connections between NYFS and
SAPD Strategy 4: Protect the public health. Action Item: ? Participate in Ramsey County public health emergency exercises ? Publicize mosquito control measures, including free tire pick-up
by Metropolitan Mosquito Patrol, utilizing city council meetings, newsletters and flyers ? Continue education about preparing for pandemic flu in this community ? Distribute free gun
locks Goal 2: To sustain and promote the assets of the city’s unique neighborhoods and tax base including commercial, residential and open space uses for present and future generations.
Strategy 1: Maintain and enhance the neighborhood and community parks with updated facilities, recreation and community services. Action Items: ? Maintain community landscaping and investigate
additional options ? Maintain a sound maintenance program for public facilities ? Focus on the quality, appearance, and longevity of public improvements ? Research opportunities for
enhancing recreational resources at Falcon Heights Elementary School
? Support and continue to promote an Adopt-A-Park program ? Implement the Parks and Recreation Master Plan Strategy 2: Work with businesses and homeowners to maintain a functional and
desirable business and residential environment. Action Items: ? Continue to review and communicate city code requirements to business and commercial property owners ? Maintain the desirability
of neighborhoods through education and code enforcement ? Use non-profit organizations such as NYFS ? Communicate community standards through photos and code information on the website
? Publicize Falcon Heights businesses including the Farmer’s Market Strategy 3: Maintain the City’s infrastructure. Action Items: ? Maintain and increase the pathways ? Maintain the
sanitary sewers and storm sewers ? Continue with a boulevard tree program for replacement, maintenance and expansion ? Publicize the resources available through the Housing Resource
Center ? Maintain streets and alleys in accordance with the Pavement Management Plan ? Pursue residential streetlighting study ? Sponsor buckthorn removal day with University Grove neighborhood
and Lauderdale ? Investigate tree protection program Strategy 4: Protect and enhance the physical land use characteristics of the community. Action Items: ? Regularly review and update
zoning code as necessary ? Participate in planning discussions, and get the required planning expertise if needed to assure that University of Minnesota and State Fair land uses and
future inter-government decisions do not negatively impact the City’s neighborhoods
? Expand the use of the GIS system for land use planning and maintaining information on the city’s land use and facilities ? Support environmental education programs and activities ?
Complete and submit plan for 2008 Comprehensive Plan Update Strategy 5: Pursue community and economic development opportunities and business retention activities. Action Items: ? Be
well informed with the necessary planning, engineering, financial and legal expertise when making land use decisions ? Offer local businesses opportunities to be included in new resident
welcome packets and community activities Strategy 6: Expand pedestrian and bicycle opportunities. Action Items: ? Be an active partner in the Active Living Ramsey County! (ALRC) initiative
? Explore opportunities for trolley path in conjunction with new Bell Museum ? Complete North Suburban Connector trail project Strategy 7: Promote the unique assets of Falcon Heights.
Action Items: ? Support the efforts to build a new Bell Museum of Natural History ? Distribute the “Fun Facts About Falcon Heights Flyer” Goal 3: To expand opportunities for the interaction
and involvement of citizens of all ages in their neighborhoods and community. Strategy 1: Promote and participate in youth development. Action Items: ? Continue the Junior Leaders program
? Include youth as commission members ? Include youth in city meetings, trainings and courses ? Informally interact with youth when the opportunity arises ? Speak about local government
at schools or youth related functions
? Recognize youth achievement at City Council meetings, in the newsletter, and through the Neil Kwong Youth Citizenship Awards, and the North Suburban Gavel Association ? Promote awareness
of the Cable Commission scholarships and internships ? Encourage student participation in City Council Meetings ? Participate in the Kids Voting Program at precincts one and two through
the Roseville Rotary Club ? Conduct a council meeting with students ? Contact RAMS or RAHS to solicit youth commission members Strategy 2: Host community/neighborhood events and activities.
Action Items: ? Sponsor Annual Ice Cream Social ? Sponsor Winterfest ? Encourage neighborhood gatherings ? Support the Neighborhood Block Parties and National Night Out activities ?
Support the Fire Department/Public Safety Open House ? Encourage volunteers to be involved in community planning activities ? Hold an annual food drive in conjunction with Falcon Heights
Elementary School and other community partners ? Review and explore existing and additional city sponsored events Strategy 3: Explore, create and provide an array of recreation programming.
Action Item: ? Provide recreation programming for all age groups ? Provide referrals for alternate programming ? Manage recreation programming on a seasonal basis ? Provide space for
and promote the Falconeers Senior program Strategy 4: Encourage citizens to participate in city government. Action Items: ? Promote resident participation ? Continue to web-stream televised
council and planning commission meetings ? Promote, recruit, and publicize citizen participation in city commissions and task forces
Strategy 5: Build stronger community and neighborhood connections. Action Items: ? Distribute the “Welcome to Falcon Heights” booklet ? Support and promote the Neighborhood Liaison Program
? Use conflict resolution resources for neighbors to use in resolving neighborhood conflicts ? Send out three newsletters per year ? Distribute monthly Falcon Flyer and post to city
website ? Support and expand the city’s website ? Promote and support the AARP Tax Assistance Program ? Continue implementation of “Aging-In-Place” in the City Strategy 6: Maintain and
promote our commitment to human rights and diversity. Action Items: ? Promote diversity on our commissions ? Support the work of the Falcon Heights Human Rights Commission Goal 4: To
provide a responsive and effective city government. Strategy 1: Communicate promptly and clearly with citizens, business owners and institutional representatives by anticipating information
needs and quickly responding to questions. Action Items: ? Provide a photo of new staff members and a description of jobs in the newsletter ? Publish a summary of the goals in the City’s
newsletter and on the website ? Educate residents about the property tax ? Hold a Truth in Taxation Hearing annually Strategy 2: Maintain collaborative relationships with other entities.
Action Items: ? Participate in the U of M Campus/Community Advisory Committee and on the Stadium Area Advisory Group ? Maintain regular communication with the University of Minnesota,
the Metropolitan Council, Ramsey County, the
Minnesota State Fair, the Capital Region Watershed District, the cities surrounding Falcon Heights, and the State of Minnesota ? Convey city goals to the City’s representatives at the
legislature, the Metropolitan Council and the County, as well as to neighboring communities ? Met Council presentation at future council meeting ? Participate in Northwest Youth and
Family Service, North Suburban Communications Commission and CTV15, the Ramsey County League of Local Governments, and the Regional Council of Mayors ? Encourage Council members and
staff to participate in service and professional organizations Strategy 3: Effectively manage the City’s consulting and personnel resources. Action Items: ? Evaluate the performance
and work assignments of City employees through annual performance reviews ? Provide employees with affordable resources they require to efficiently and effectively do their jobs, including
a training plan and technology resources ? Provide adequate funds for personnel, equipment and contractors to maintain the City’s infrastructure, facilities, public spaces and public
improvements ? Evaluate and review consultants’ performances and fees ? Retain highly skilled and high-functioning employees ? Provide salaries and benefits that are competitive with
cities of a similar size, scale, and scope Strategy 4: Effectively manage the city’s financial resources. Action Items: ? Update and provide a well-researched five year capital improvement
program ? Review and adjust fees and policies as part of the annual budgeting process ? Research and pursue new revenue sources, including grants ? Pursue conduit bonding opportunities
? Review and evaluate the City’s long term financial needs and the City’s current and future financial resources to meet these needs ? Continue to research and pursue new opportunities
for reducing expenses by using more contracts and joint powers
agreements to share equipment, personnel, and technology with other levels of government ? Maintain a contingency fund to be prepared for unexpected, but necessary, expenditures ? Retain
highly skilled and high functioning employees ? Continue to meet the standards for the GFOA Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting Strategy 5: Develop and expand an e-mail capability
to communicate with residents Action Items: ? Solicit e-mail addresses through the Falcon Flyer and newsletter, at the front desk, on the City website, and at community events ? Solicit
new resident e-mail addresses ? Provide critical information in a timely manner utilizing city’s list serv Strategy 6: Expand the capability to conduct any city-to-resident transaction
online Goal 5: Provide for a clean, healthy, sustainable environment. Strategy 1: Undertake efforts to maximize recycling. Action Items: ? Research an incentive program to encourage
recycling Strategy 2: Consider environmental benefits in city purchasing. Action Items: ? Consider environmentally-friendly options in city vehicles and public works ? Change to energy-efficient,
compact light bulbs Strategy 3: Continue support of Community Garden. Action Items: ? Continue publicity in newsletter, on website, and in the Falcon Flyer Strategy 4: Create an inventory
of greenhouse/global warming emissions.
WKSP 2 7/1/09 TO: Mayor Lindstrom, Council members Harris, Kuettel, Long, and Mercer-Taylor FROM: Justin Miller, City Administrator Re: 2009/2010 City Financial Update Explanation: As
has been widely reported, the 2009 legislative session ended without a consensus budget bill being approved. As a result, Governor Pawlenty used his unallotment powers to reduce local
government aid (LGA), among other items, to balance the state’s biennial budget. The impact to Falcon Heights results in an LGA reduction of $46,786 in 2009 and $107,953 in 2010. The
council anticipated this possibility, and in January implemented several costsaving measures to address the expected shortfall. A summary of these actions is attached to this report.
In total, the preliminary actions resulted in a net impact to the general fund of $133,800. On the surface, these actions would be enough to account for the loss of LGA, but a deeper
look reveals that much of this was dependent on conduit bonding fees (which are not guaranteed to occur), occur), freezing salaries, and consolidating the deputy clerk and recreation
supervisor positions for the entire year. Further, other revenue sources, such as building permits, emergency response fines, and parking fines are projected to be lower than anticipated.
Staff has begun to prepare the draft 2010 budget, and we are looking for any guidance that the city council might provide to assist us in this process. Right now, it appears that state
mandated levy limits will be in place, and that our maximum levy increase will be less than 1%. There are several special levies that could be implemented that would create some flexibility
in the budgeting process. The legislature authorized the following that could be enacted outside of the levy limit calculation: ? Existing debt obligations (such as we levied for in
2009 for street debt). This amount could be as high as $125,000 in 2010. ? Increase in fire and police wages (roughly $12,000) ? Unallotted 2008 ($51,683), 2009 ($46,786), and possibly
2010 ($107,953) 107,953) LGA. Staff will be prepared to answer any questions the council has at our Wednesday workshop.
2009 Budget Revisions Target = $125,000 Budget Item Savings Impact Eliminate publication of newsletters $ 2 ,800 Will only be available on web, could lower rec program participants Change
janitor to every-other week $ 2 ,500 Staff would be responsible for weekly cleaning, overall appearance of city hall may be diminished Freeze salaries at 2008 levels $ 1 6,000 Total
savings of $21,266 -only 73% is allocated to general fund Eliminate parks program (1 FTE) $ 6 3,000 Would force layoff, no rec programs offered Eliminate finance intern $ 1 1,000 Allows
for assistance with audit prep (through March); risk futher findings from auditor for lack of segregation of duties No warming houses/rink attendants $ 1 1,000 Would still flood rinks,
but not staff warming houses Reduce Public Works staff (1 FTE) $ 2 6,000 $52,600 total personnel, only 50% allocated to general fund; delayed snow clearance from sidewalks, fewer sidewalk
repairs, delay in park maintenance Combine Deputy Clerk/Rec Supervisor $ 6 0,000 Longer wait time on permits, other deputy clerk functions; would possibly need to outsource election
official duties Eliminate either Winterfest or Ice Cream Social $ 1 ,500 Eliminate fire department attendance at National Night Out, block parties, open house, Ice Cream Social and Winterfest
$ 2 ,800 No fire department presence at community events Change to 3" snow emergency/plowing $ 1 0,000 Unpredictable savings; less snowplowing of streets Eliminate one summer public
works position $ 5 ,000 Longer grass at city parks, delay in sidewalk replacement program New Revenue Sources Amount Streetlight Utility $ 2 4,000 Surcharge put on water bills to pay
for city's streetlights (this is the amount paid to Xcel Energy for operating city's streetlights Use conduit bonding fee as general fund revenue $ 5 0,000 Planned to help pay for fire
truck refurbuishment; not guaranteed to occur Pet licenses $ 1 ,500 Would need to purchase tags; more staff time to process Total $ 2 85,600 Items in yellow are being implemented $ 1
33,800 Other items may be necessary if further cuts are needed