03-01-2010 Council Minutes (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION March 1,2010 APPROVED 91 being submitted for grant consideration; a council member suggests that projects should 92 be accelerated if possible to take advantage of funding opportunities that are occurring 93 only now. 94 95 Faxes—It is recognized that people should be able to fax to city hall, the idea presented is 96 about being aware that the technology has changed and that faxes can be received and 97 sent in a different way that may or may not require special equipment—don't replace 98 equipment that isn't needed. 99 100 Attrition—It is recommended that any open positions be reviewed thoroughly and that 101 restructuring occur if that is appropriate. 102 103 Polling places - It was clarified that the idea of moving a polling place (for convenience) 104 to a facility outside of the county is not possible. 105 106 Director Rolek noted that reviewing the council's suggestions has been a good exercise 107 and the process of reviewing budgetary items will continue. 108 109 Storm Water Utility—Community Development Director Grochala noted that the 110 written staff report contains both the executive summary from the 2006 storm water 111 management financing feasibility study as well as a 2007 report prepared by the 112 Metropolitan Council on the same subject. The basic premise of instituting a storm 113 water utility is that it provides funds for storm water costs based on use rather than 114 through the property tax system. Charges are based on volume and land use. The report 115 done in 2006 included a budget for street reconstruction. Staff has developed an 116 alternative budget that excludes those street construction capital costs. He reviewed a 117 possible schedule for implementing a storm water utility and noted that staff is 118 recommending that the city retain the services of SEH, Inc. to update the study. 119 120 The council would like to explore the idea further but wants to ensure that going forward 121 includes plans for good communication. A council member noted also that there must be 122 a clear understanding that this is not a new tax and its use should be limited by a clear city 123 policy. 124 125 Grant Update—Director Rolek provided the council with a listing of grants that the city 126 has received over the last ten years in a total amount over $12 million. 127 128 The Mayor suggests keeping the grant scene on the radar, so that the council gets regular 129 updates on what's available and what is being sought. 130 131 Budget Session Outline—Finance Director Rolek provided an update on where the city 132 is at preliminarily in the 2009 budget(written recap provided). The city is under revenue 133 projections mainly based on property tax receipts and reduced building revenues. 134 Expenditures are under projection also but not to the level to meet the lesser revenues. 135 He also reviewed offsets to the budget that were unapproved expenditures, all of which 3