09-14-05 Council Workshop Minutes

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 14, 2005 we have seen in prior years. In 2005 the increase was less than I% due the Sheriff's Department's retention efforts in connection with Arden Hills. New Brighton Police offered Arden Hills police services at a very competitive cost. The Sheriff chose to hold the line on the 2005 budget as away of retaining Arden Hills. This benefited all of the contracting communities but could not be duplicated for 2006, as was expected. We are also picking up $16,400 for our share of another traffic car that will be full-time in May of 2006. This is needed with the impact of Unweave the Weave. The other contracting jurisdictions also have a need for this car. We are paying 25% of the cost. Impact = $63,638 Fire Department operating budget is up $3,428 or 1.6%. Also you will recall, poor investment performance in 2002-2003 required the City to provide contributions beyond the $15,000 voluntary amount to fund existing deficits in Che Relief Association. The stock market's general improvement in 2004 and a change in Investment Advisors have resulted in improvement in the fund balance. This results in a return to the agreed upon support level of $15,000. Impact = ($11,822) 2005 Fire Marshal personnel costs $ ].3,200 are expected to be $9,635 less than budgeted due to Falcon Heights hiring the Fire Marshal directly. During 2005 Che City of Little Canada filled its vacant Assistant Fire Marshal and has included $10,000 in the 2006 budget to fund this position (10 hrs. a week). Impact = ($1,030) Protective Inspections has increased to allow for a Housing Inspector. Staff's exploring a cooperative venture with Roseville. Other options may be available. Impact = $25,000 Street costs have added $12,500 for increased costs for seal coating. Increasing oil prices have pushed the cost per yard of seal coat up by 18.6% over 2005 budgeted costs. Additionally in 2006 the streets programmed for seal coating require 16.0% more in materials then those budgeted for in 2005. Similar logic applies to the $10,000 increase in the 2006 crack filling costs compared to 2005. Street sweeping costs are also expected to be $6,000 higher than 2005. For 2005 we proposed two additional summer workers for the Public Works Department. Historically the one temporary position was split between the Water and Sewer Funds. With three temporary positions in total, one was to be charged each to the Streets, Water, and Sewer Funds. This addition was made to address concerns regarding deferred maintenance. In lieu of temporary workers the City opted to use contract labor with Lino Lakes Correctional for these 5