08-11-2021 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL AUGUST 11, 2021 actually gotten a lot of people to participate and give comments. The Parks & Rec/Community Services Manager stated that the project has been worked on for about 18 months, and there have been several opportunities for feedback from the community. He noted that the plan has changed, and there initially was larger plans, but based on feedback from neighbors, some of the features have been downsized. Fischer stated that he lives in a neighborhood that is adjacent to the park and they have been surveyed three or four times. McGraw stated that he feels we need to get going on this, and have actual plans drawn and costs determined. REQUEST FOR FIRE RELIEF BENEFIT INCREASE The City Administrator explained that the Little Canada Fire Department (LCFD) Board of Directors is requesting an increase of $485 to the benefit amount for the Little Canada Fire Relief Association (LCFRA). if approved, this would increase the LCFRA benefit level from $4,195 to $4,680 per year of service. The City contract with the LCDF states that benefit level increases can only be requested once per year, and the funding level ratio must be at or above 110% on December 31 of the previous year. According to the Little Canada Fire Relief Association annual audit, the funded ratio of the investment account on December 31, 2020 was 119.50 %. The City Administrator stated that all benefit increases must be approved by the City Council. According to the contract, if the percent funded is at 110% or above, the increase will be granted. If this request is approved, the funding level would be at 110%. The goal of this formula is to provide sustainable benefit increases to the Little Canada Fire Relief Association while avoiding volatility in the levy requirements for the City. McGraw introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. 2021-8-95 — APPROVE A $485.00 INCREASE TO THE BENEFIT LEVEL FOR THE LITTLE CANADA FIRE RELIEF ASSOCIA TION PURSUANT TO THE CONTRACT PROVISIONS The foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Keis. Ayes (5). Nays (0). Resolution declared adopted. 2nd QUARTER FINANCIAL REPORT The Finance Director reviewed the budget for the first half of 2021. She noted that the first half of property tax collections were not received until July but they were included in this quarterly report to reflect a more realistic budget to actual amount. She reported that 44.50% of the budget revenue has been collected in 2021, which is lower that past years with the exception of 2020. Property tax collections are trending as expected at 51.70%, which is consistent with the prior five years, and building permits are higher so far than last year. The Finance Director stated that investment income is down due to the low interest rate environment that continues to occur in 2021. She reported that actual expenditures are at 46.46% of 3