HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-21-2020 Council Budget Work Session MinutesCITY COUNCIL vvORK SESSION
APPROVED
1 CITY OF LINO LAKES
2 MINUTES
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4 DATE September 21, 2020
5 TIME STARTED 6*40 p.m.
6 TIME ENDED 7*05 p.m.
7 MEMBERS PRESENT Council Member Stoesz, Lyden, Ruhland,
8 Cavegn (by phone) and Mayor Rafferty
9 MEMBERS ABSENT None
10 Staff members present: City Administrator Sarah Cotton; Community Development
11 Director Michael Grochala; Director of Public Safety John Swenson; Public Services
12 Director Rick DeGardner; and City Clerk Julie Bartell
13
14 1. 2021 Budget Discussion —City Administrator Cotton recalled the last discussion
15 with the council on the 2021 budget (September 8th work session) and her announcement
16 that updated information had been received from Anoka County regarding anticipated tax
17 collections. That news results in additional funds in the amount of $62,502 which means
18 that more funding is available to maintain a tax capacity rate of 39.870. That eliminates
19 the gap that existed at the beginning of the budget discussions and also makes new
20 funding available.
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22 Mayor Rafferty expressed confidence that the council and staff will be able to work
23 together to maintain the tax rate. He discussed the possibility of anything changing prior
24 to formal budget adoption and Ms. Cotton indicated that, while there could be minor
25 adjustments, she expects little change and if necessary changes could be handled with
26 budget adjustments. She noted outstanding items such as labor contracts and some
27 health care items and also that there is some contingency remaining for the current year.
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29 Mayor Rafferty remarked that there will be more discussion forthcoming but it's
30 understood that the preliminary budget is the cap.
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32 Councilmember Lyden suggested that there's nothing wrong with a tax cut if that is
33 possible.
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35 Adminstrator Cotton noted that she will provide additional information to the council on
36 changes in the 2021 budget. She suggested that the general fund reserve remaining could
37 be left and information will be shared again on those items discussed for possible
38 funding. Ms. Cotton added that it's notable that the current proposed budget includes no
39 use of fund reserves and that is good.
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41 Councilmember Stoesz asked if there is any information on a CARES Act II and Ms.
42 Cotton said there is nothing to report. Councilmember Stoesz asked if there is any
43 additional information on the message board or opportunities in that area. Public
44 Services Director DeGardner noted plans to purchase a trailer mounted sign that would
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
APPRO VED
45 provide more flexibility than a fixed unit; the current fixture on Lake Drive in front of the
46 civic complex will be removed this fall. Staff anticipates that future signage in that area
47 will be part of a larger discussion about the intersection. Mayor Rafferty said that signs
48 come at a cost but he recognizes the value of having a way to provide information to the
49 community on the City's highly traveled roads.
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51 Staff noted a $90,000 regular budget item to Parks and Trails that has been suspended and
52 that contributed to lowering the budget gap. Mayor Rafferty suggested that the council
53 have more discussion on that subject. Public Services Director DeGardner noted that he
54 wants it to be clear that the current budget doesn't include recreation services funding.
55 Mayor Rafferty noted that a $10,000 line item for Blue Heron Days remains in the budget
56 and council was looking to staff to explore a way to continue the community festival in
57 some way probably with assistance from outside city staff.
58
59 Councilmember Lyden noted that it's clear that the council is committed to the tax rate
60 and in that context he'd also like staff to provide information on impacts that the council
61 should understand.
62
63 Administrator Cotton noted that the budget currently includes the funding for Blue Heron
64 Days and also for the warming house program but she warned that even those recreation
65 initiatives would be impossible to administer without staff; budget discussions have
66 included the possibility of a part time recreation coordinator position. Ms. Cotton also
67 noted that the council has heard about the need for a part time communications position
68 that would be funded in total by telecommunications revenue. Councilmember Lyden
69 asked what those telecommunications funds normally fund and Administrator Cotton
70 explained that the most recent expenditures funded upgrades in technology in the council
71 chambers, media room and city hall meeting rooms.
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73 Administrator Cotton said she would prepare the preliminary levy based on the stated tax
74 rate noted and the council will have that before them for consideration at the September
75 28th council meeting.
76
77 The meeting was adjourned at 7:05 p.m.
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79 These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting held on
80 September 28, 2020.
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84
85 Juliann Bartell, Cit)l Cler
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Rob Rafferty, Mayor