07-22-13 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION July 1, 2013 DRAFT 3 Public Safety Director Swenson reviewed his written report. He noted higher than current 90 staffing levels going back to 2010. The Lino Lakes Police Department is a small agency 91 so it utilizes staff in a mu ltitude of areas for efficiency. That means that any reduction 92 amplifies across all of those duties. He understands the budget challenges the City faces 93 in 2014 and could offer a way to reduce costs while maintaining the current staff level 94 within the de partment. They could utilize forfeiture funds to cover the costs of one FTE 95 for 2014 . He stresses that this could be for one year only and that the forfeiture funds are 96 not a dependable source of revenue. Mayor Reiner thanked the Chief for his creati ve 97 suggestion and remarked that having the City live within its means is the goal and not to 98 simply reduce positions. When a council member asked about other cities contracting for 99 police services (through the county), Chief Swenson explained that one ben efit of many 100 to having a police department in place is that services are much faster and allow for more 101 effective, quick work. 102 103 Community Services Director DeGardner reviewed his written report regarding staff 104 levels and job duties within the Public Work s Department. Staffing levels impact how 105 the Public Services Department can perform job duties. In comparison to other cities, the 106 City’s staff level is low. 107 108 The Mayor asked if other information was being brought forward for council 109 consideration. Si nce there was none, he expressed concern that the council needs more 110 options in order to make the necessary budget decisions. Administrator Karlson replied 111 that after several years of finding efficiencies, the budget really comes down to personnel 112 at this point and that means a service decision. 113 114 Council Member Roeser asked about the budget for health care and Mr. Rolek said it is in 115 the range of $500,000. There could be changes on the horizon with federal health care 116 reform on the way. Council Membe r Rafferty suggested that the city look at the broker 117 contract; is there a possibility of savings there through a request for proposals? 118 119 Mayor Reinert shared a letter prepared by an engineering firm that is serving another city. 120 It spoke about utilizin g contracting when that makes sense. It is a good example of a 121 hybrid situation – finding the best possible way to provide different services. That also 122 means looking ahead and investing in what will work best in the future. 123 124 The council will continue di scussion of the budget at a future work session. 125 126 6. Monthly Progress Report – Administrator Karlson reviewed progress on the: 127 pavement management p lan, Elmcrest road improvements, utility rate study, scanning 128 project, 74 th Avenue street improvements, 73 09 Lake Drive code violation, and labor 129 negotiations. 130 131 Review Regular Agenda of July 8, 2013 – The council reviewed the agenda. There 132 were no discussion items. 133 134