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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />NOVEMBER 9, 2005 <br />LaValle questioned the theory thaC liquor establishments generaCe <br />additional police calls. It was noted Chat a public hearing is needed in <br />order to increase liquor license fees, and LaValle suggested that police call <br />statistics be presented for each liquor establishment aC that public hearing. <br />With regard to the proposed 2006 Budget, the City Administrator <br />indicated that the Finance Director has done a good job in putting this <br />budget together. He indicated that a 2.32% gross levy increase was <br />reasonable, and suggested that it would be unrealistic to try to achieve a <br />0% gross levy increase in light of the City's need to absorb $100,000 in <br />cuts from Che State. The Administrator noted Chat the electric franchise fee <br />has helped to absorb these cuts and minimize the impact to taxpayers. <br />Blesener noted that additional cuts in the budget would impacC basic <br />services. The City Administrator agreed and noted that the proposed 2006 <br />Budget maintains or enhances services. The Administrator noted that the <br />budget absorbs the addition of a traffic car in the City, which will be <br />greatly needed as the Unweave the Weave project moves forward. <br />LaValle asked why Che City of Vadnais HeighCS has been able to maintain <br />a lower tax rate than Little Canada. The City Administrator pointed out <br />that the gap has been narrowing. He noted that Vadnais Heights' may <br />have a stronger commercial tax base than Little Canada. He also pointed <br />out that Vadnais Heights had been very aggressive with Tax Increment <br />Financing early on. <br />The Council again reviewed each of the General Fund options outlined in <br />the Finance Director's November 4°i memo. Consensus was Co go to the <br />every other year Clean-Up Day as proposed with appliance pick-up <br />continuing on an annual basis. Consensus was to take the housing <br />inspector program in-house as the City Administrator determines to be <br />feasible. The Council indicated that a public hearing should be held to <br />consider an increase in liquor license fees. The increase would be <br />determined based on input received from liquor establishment owners as <br />well as information on the amount of police and fire calls at these <br />businesses. The general feels of the Council at this point was that any <br />increase may be spread over a two or three year time frame. MSA <br />allocation changes and other miscellaneous changes as recommended were <br />acceptable. <br />The Finance Director continued her review of the proposed 2006 Budget <br />highlighting the General Capital Improvement Fund. She noted that the <br />currently the 2005 General Fund surplus is projected at $44,258. Given <br />that the policy has been that half the surplus in excess of $100,000 is <br />