HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-25-2011 Council Minutes CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION July 25,2011
APPROVED
1 CITY OF LINO LAKES
2 MINUTES
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4 DATE : July 25, 2011
5 TIME STARTED : 5:30 p.m.
6 TIME ENDED : 6:30 p.m.
7 MEMBERS PRESENT : Councilmember Gallup, O'Donnell,
8 Rafferty (arrived at 6:00 p.m.), Roeser and
9 Mayor Reinert
10 MEMBERS ABSENT : None
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13 Staff members present: City Administrator Jeff Karlson; Finance Director Al Rolek;
14 Community Development Director Mike Grochala; Economic Development Coordinator
15 Mary Divine; City Planner Jeff Smyser; City Clerk Julie Bartell
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17 1. 2012 Budget—Administrator Karlson explained that the department directors
18 have submitted their budgets for 2012 and the Finance Director has used that information
19 to form a budget document. The directors are working as a group to review the budget
20 proposals and if a gap is present, they are looking at all possibilities to fill it, including
21 cuts and revenue. The council should receive a draft 2012 budget by the end of the week
22 although it will not include any staff reductions pending the offering of an employee early
23 retirement incentive.
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25 Finance Director Rolek briefly reviewed some budgetary information. He noted that
26 there are some budget impacts on cities as a result of the recent state legislative special
27 session. Although the loss of Local Government Aid (LGA) doesn't impact the city, the
28 Market Value Credit was received by the city at one time and that is no longer in the
29 budget. Regarding the violation diversion program that is operated by the Police
30 Department, the state will apparently be imposing a surcharge which may impact city
31 revenue but that impact isn't clear as yet. He is requesting that the council schedule a
32 couple of work sessions to review the proposed budget.
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34 The council scheduled a special work session on August 8, 2011 immediately following
35 the council meeting.
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37 2. City Administrator Review—The council scheduled a closed session on August
38 8, 2011 at 5:30 p.m. (preceding the council meeting that evening).
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40 3. Charter Commission Appointment Process—City Clerk Bartell reiterated that
41 eight of the fifteen positions on the charter commission will have expiring terms of
42 appointment at the end of 2011. The council has discussed the appointment process and
43 directed staff to centralize at city hall the process of advertising, receiving and forwarding
44 applications. The charter commission was informed of this direction and offered
45 suggestions of a dual process with applications submitted to either city hall or the charter
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION July 25, 2011
APPROVED
46 chair and all applications being forwarded to the judge by both the clerk and the chair.
47 Ms. Bartell also noted that she had spoken with a League of Minnesota Cities attorney as
48 well as the District Court Chief Judge's staff(the appointing authority)to answer some
49 questions that the council raised at their last discussion.
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51 The council concurred with the process recommended by the commission whereby the
52 City Clerk will work in conjunction with the Charter Chair. A council member
53 suggested and the council concurred that a list of applicants will be kept on the city web
54 site.
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56 4. Dangerous Dog Case—Administrator Karlson noted that the city just received a
57 communication from the League of Minnesota Cities attorney, Mr. Monge, announcing
58 the result of the appeal case involving the matter of Sawh vs. City. The council
59 scheduled a closed session for Monday, August 1, 2011 beginning at 5:30 p.m. for further
60 discussion. The council received assurance that the dog would not be released from
61 custody in the meantime.
62
63 5. Review Regular Agenda—The council reviewed the council agenda.
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65 Item 3A, Early Retirement Incentive Program—Administrator Karlson explained the
66 incentive program that will be offered to employees before any layoffs are announced. A
67 council member suggested that a severance package (not tied to retirement eligibility)
68 may also be a good option. The council also discussed the city's exposure to
69 unemployment compensation claims
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71 The meeting was adjourned at 6:25 p.m.
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73 These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting held on
74 August 8, 2011.
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79 Julianne Ba 11, City Cler • rt, yor
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