HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-29-2010 Council Minutes CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION November 29,2010
APPROVED
1 CITY OF LINO LAKES
2 MINUTES
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4 DATE : November 29, 2010
5 TIME STARTED : 6:20 p.m.
6 TIME ENDED : 8:05 p.m.
7 MEMBERS PRESENT : Councilmember Gallup, O'Donnell,
8 Rafferty,Roeser and Mayor Reinert
9 MEMBERS ABSENT : None
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12 Staff members present: City Administrator Jeff Karlson; Director of Administration Dan
13 Tesch; Community Development Director Mike Grochala; Director of Public Safety Kent
14 Strege, Public Services Director Rick DeGardner; Director of Finance Al Rolek
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16 2011 Proposed Budget—City Administrator Karlson explained that he has met with the
17 directors and they have gone through the proposed 2011 budget again very thoroughly.
18 The council received written information on the proposed levy and budget; he indicated
19 there are some adjustments from the council's last review.
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21 Finance Director Rolek reviewed the proposed tax levy recap and the budget recap
22 (revenues and expenditures). He reviewed the proposed expenditure adjustments which
23 are the same as previously presented except for an increase in hours for the Community
24 Relations Coordinator position in the Police Department(grant funded), and an
25 adjustment in the Police Department's capital outlay line item (grant and forfeiture funds)
26 and a reduction in the Finance Department printing/publishing line item. He confirmed
27 that the budget would have a$15,000 contingency account. Mr. Rolek also confirmed
28 that the energy savings of$10,000 due to retrofits is a true projection and is in fact
29 conservative. Administrator Karlson noted that the city is very close to getting the
30 health insurance agreement in place with the unions.
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32 The mayor reiterated his desire to establish and provide some funding for a road
33 reconstruction fund. Mr. Rolek recalled that the council discussed utilizing 2010 surplus
34 funds for that purpose; since those figures aren't yet available, he'd have to report back.
35 The mayor remarked that he would like to see $250,000 designated for that fund.
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37 The council discussed the tax collection rate and heard from Mr. Rolek that this year's
38 rate looks to be about 90% collectable while the historical rate is in the range of 96—
39 98%.
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41 The mayor asked about the request from Centennial Fire District for funding for new
42 windows and doors at the Lino Lakes fire house. Staff explained that there haven't been
43 any estimates received on that work as yet; when a project is ready, there should be
44 adequate capital funds available.
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION November 29,2010
APPROVED
46 The council received the City of Lino Lakes Personnel Total table. Council asked for a
47 report on how cuts would impact the police department. Chief Strege noted that the
48 department's goal is to maintain its level of services, especially in the area of patrol.
49 There is one military leave position coming back on line. The department is still working
50 on getting DARE officer services integrated within current staff so they can continue to
51 provide the education element, perhaps without the specific DARE program and
52 certificate. When asked what school-assigned officers do when school is out, Chief
53 Strege explained that officers work either on patrol or to supplement investigations work
54 or even fill in for vacations.
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56 The council discussed the Citizen Corps Grant. All the funds will not be used to
57 supplement the Community Relations Coordinator hours but will also be used for some
58 other expenses. The council discussed with Captain Strege how police officers shift time
59 is designated—there are always two officers on patrol per shift but that could go as high
60 as five with overlap in some shifts. When asked what happens to seized cars,the chief
61 explained that they first must be legally transferred to the city's ownership and then can
62 be auctioned or used as unmarked vehicles.
63
64 A council member asked about the Centennial Fire District budget, wondering why that
65 budget is increasing by 4 percent when all other areas seem to be cutting back. The
66 mayor noted that he is a member of the fire district steering committee and explained that
67 the budget request from the district chief was actually higher but the Lino Lakes
68 representatives held the line. He can report that the chief is implementing some long-
69 range improvements and efforts that will increase their efficiency and lower costs. In
70 addition the chief is building some revenue streams by using the skills and services they
71 have to offer. The mayor said he understands the council's concern about an increased
72 budget but he feels it was fully discussed by the steering committee and reduced as
73 appropriate. Overall,the council would like more review of that budget and the joint
74 powers agreement under which the district operates.
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76 The council discussed looking ahead to 2012 and possibilities for revenue production.
77 The mayor recalled past discussions about sharing police services and inherent problems.
78 A council member suggested that the council should have the discussion again after the
79 beginning of the year.
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81 A council member noted his own property tax statement. He asked for an explanation of
82 why his city taxes are going up even though the value of his property is decreasing. It
83 makes him question if the proposed budget is doing enough for the taxpayers. The
84 finance director explained that since some other property's values decreased more, they
85 would be seeing a decrease in taxation; there is variation from property to property. In
86 addition commercial properties have decreased in value more than residential so it shifts
87 more of the burden.
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89 The mayor asked for a confirmation on funding for the road reconstruction fund. Finance
90 Director Rolek noted that he won't know the amount of any 2010 surplus until the end of
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION November 29,2010
APPROVED
91 February. The council could designate the funds, not knowing the exact number, to that
92 purpose or designate an exact amount from the general fund reserve. To ensure
93 maximum surplus, the council could restriction undesignated spending.
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95 The council suggested, looking ahead, that more complete accounting, perhaps month to
96 month, may be needed (by the council). Finance Director Rolek responded that there are
97 department budget recaps done regularly and they could be shared with the council. He
98 added that the recaps don't necessarily provide a crystal clear view since there are lags in
99 revenues and such. The council would like the recaps and requested that they be provided
100 electronically.
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102 The finance director noted the $16,000 gap (under budget). The council directed that it
103 be designated to the road reconstruction fund.
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105 The council confirmed that the city administrator is working on an organization review
106 process.
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108 Mr. Rolek reviewed the other funds: recreation, water operating and sewer.
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110 The 2011 tax levy and budget will be presented at a public hearing at the council meeting
111 on December 13, 2010. The council will consider approval that evening.
112
113 The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
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115 These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting
116 held on December 20, 2010.
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121 Julianne Bartell, City Clerk Jeff Rein,rt, ayor
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