11-28-2018 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL NOVEMBER 28, 2018 2019 BUDGET The City Administrator stated that Staff has a proposed budget with a levy DISCUSSION increase of 2.99 percent, down from the initial 3.41 percent preliminary levy that was set in September. He noted that in September, the Council asked that the levy be lowered to 3.00 percent, so staff made adjustments to bring it down to 2.99 percent. The Finance Director reported that there were not a lot of changes made to the General Fund budget since the last Council discussion. She explained that the amount received from the Ramsey County recycling grant increased by $4,376; decreased health insurance costs by $10,810; added $1,030 for the cost of short term disability insurance if the Council chooses to change plans; and added $1,000 for the Public Works apprentice position wage change. Fischer stated that there has been talk of the Ramsey County Sheriff's Department implementing the new body cameras earlier than expected, and how would our budget be affected. The City Administrator explained that the cost for the cameras is unknown now but there could be savings from a possible health insurance plan change or other source that could cover the body camera cost. The Public Works Director stated that the Parks Capital Improvement Projects list includes Spooner Park playground replacement, planning for the Pioneer Park playground, Gervais Mill Park garden, interpretive signs in the parks, habitat restoration in areas affected by the Xcel tree clearing, and trail and park maintenance and repairs. He reported that Capital budget highlights for Public Works includes replacement of the small dump truck and Bobcat Toolcat, along with an angle broom and V -plow for the Toolcat, and a ballfield painter. He stated that capital budget items for the water and sewer department includes a GPS device for mapping things'like curb stops and signs; a gate valve operator, replacement pump at the Sunset Court lift station and overhaul pump #2 at the Booster Station, repair and/or replace the gate valves in the section of Rice Street that is scheduled to be reconstructed in 2021, and replace the sewer cleaning truck. Keis stated that Public Works takes very good care of their equipment so they are able to keep vehicles for a longer period of time. The Public Works Director stated that they schedule vehicle replacement, and at times can keep a vehicle even longer. The City Administrator noted that that the amount added for short term disability insurance would need to be increased if the Council opts for the shorter waiting period, but this should only impact the levy amount by a very minimal amount. McGraw stated that there may be significant savings if the health insurance plan is changed. Montour stated that the short term disability cost would only change the levy to maybe 3.00 or 3.01 percent. C