HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-22-2021 Council Special Budget Work Session Minutes CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL WORK SESSION
APPROVED
1 CITY OF LINO LAKES
2 MINUTES
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4 DATE : November 22,2021
5 TIME STARTED : 7:15 p.m.
6 TIME ENDED : 8:15 p.m.
7 MEMBERS PRESENT : Council Member Stoesz, Lyden,Ruhland,
8 Cavegn and Mayor Rafferty
9 MEMBERS ABSENT : None
10 Staff members present: City Administrator Sarah Cotton; Finance Director Hannah
11 Lynch; Public Safety Director John Swenson; Public Services Director Rick DeGardner;
12 City Clerk Julie Bartell
13 1. 2022 Budget—Mayor Rafferty noted that staff has done a good job to this point,
14 bringing in a lower than last year 40.107 tax rate.
15
16 Ms. Lynch noted the scheduled public hearing preceding council consideration of passing
17 the 2022 budget on December 13, 2021 during the regular scheduled council meeting.
18 The staff report outlines where the council started and has landed at this point. It also
19 details changes that were made to the budget; biggest factor being due to personnel and
20 insurance assumptions which are now finalized. She reviewed the changes noted in the
21 report. She reviewed the tax capacity numbers that bring the tax rate where it is proposed
22 tonight. Ms. Lynch also pointed out the total levy and her research of other cities
23 indicating that the City is slightly below the average. Staff is prepared to discuss the
24 budget.
25
26 Mayor Rafferty noted the rec center budget and how that appears in the 2022 budget.
27 Ms. Lynch noted the levy is related to the bonds for the facility. The levy disappears in
28 2026 at which time those funds would shift to operating if directed by the council.
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30 Mayor Rafferty recalled recent work (and a study) on water mains. He is looking for a
31 line item he recalls being under the Water budget for certain flushing activities. Mr.
32 DeGardner said the request was a comprehensive analysis of the entire water system to
33 assist with identifying problems areas and other information; it would be a water flow
34 analysis and other data. Staff is comfortable waiting for a future year discussion. Mayor
35 Rafferty asked if this would help with water conservation and Mr. DeGardner explained
36 what he sees as the goal of a study and that he would see it fitting in further down the
37 line.
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39 Mayor Rafferty noted Page 10, contractual services for Alexandra House ($500). He has
40 been clear that he supports the cause of their services but he doesn't feel it belongs in the
41 City budget. Councilmember Stoesz expressed support for the Mayor's statement.
42 Councilmember Lyden said he supports including the funds in the budget.
43 Councilmember Ruhland said he understands the need and would donate to the
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44 organization as an individual but he cannot support taxpayer dollars. Councilmember
45 Cavegn said he supports funds staying in the budget. Councilmember Lyden asked
46 Public Safety Director Swenson to comment on the services provided to the City.
47 Director Swenson explained the role of Alexandra House in the county and more
48 specifically in this City. The council had received a presentation from the executive
49 director at a recent work session. They are a good partner mainly in the area of domestic
50 violence, a situation that does occur in this community. Councilmember Cavegn asked
51 if they are called to assist in domestic violence situations and Director Swenson said it is
52 protocol that officers bring in Alexandra House for their assistance. Councilmember
53 Cavegn asked, if Alexandra House were not providing that service,how would the
54 service be provided in Lino Lakes? Director Swenson said Alexandra House is the
55 provider to this community and while other areas have other options, another would have
56 to be identified for the City. Councilmember Cavegn asked the Finance Director the
57 impact(to a taxpayer in the City) of this funding. It was estimated at about $.50 per
58 resident. Councilmember Lyden noted that he sees this as a very important service.
59 Councilmember Ruhland said he is trying to represent the majority of taxpayers in the
60 City as well as wondering what other service that would be just as important.
61 Councilmember Cavegn noted with that same theory, he would have a hard time
62 supporting funding for Blue Heron Days. Mayor Rafferty remarked that the item will be
63 removed from the budget.
64
65 Mayor Rafferty noted that the Park Board is requesting additional funding to the Parks
66 and Trails funds. There has also been discussion about replacement of vehicles within
67 the Public Safety Department.
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69 On the vehicle question,the Public Safety Department is requesting three new vehicles.
70 One current vehicle would be rotated to the fire division. The mayor said one vehicle that
71 would be changed out has 15,000 miles on it and that would replace a fire department
72 vehicle with 6,000+. The mayor has asked what it would take to keep that vehicle in
73 place. The mayor also mentioned the option to replace Ford Explorer vehicles with a
74 more expensive Chevrolet Tahoe and possible cost savings there. He would propose
75 taking the savings of$17,000 and moving it to the parks budget. Councilmember
76 Cavegn noted the vehicle discussion and that he is in favor of the purchasing the Tahoe.
77 Councilmember Lyden remarked that the value includes the value when it is sold but the
78 mayor remarked that isn't the discussion now. Councilmember Ruhland noted that
79 models have changed since the discussion has commenced; he sees that it would be a
80 wash if the vehicles don't increase in value any differently, i.e. one vehicle would gain
81 value in a greater fashion. Councilmember Stoesz remarked that Explorer's have worked
82 well in the past so he would support purchasing them. Mayor Rafferty argued for the
83 $17,000 that could be used in another way. Councilmember Lyden noted that the
84 Explorer vehicle has inherent problems that cause mechanical repair cost. When asked
85 to comment, Director Swenson said he has provided information and a recommendation
86 and would welcome a council direction at this point.
87
88 Mayor Rafferty spoke in favor of reallocating savings (by purchase of Explorer instead of
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89 Tahoe)to the parks and trails fund, providing funding in an area where it's been
90 requested by the Park Board. Councilmember Ruhland asked that the matter be tabled
91 and the council concurred.
92
93 Mayor Rafferty asked if the council supports not replacing auto unit 617. Director
94 Swenson asked if the discussion is that the unit would not be replaced and the City would
95 still purchase three additional vehicles; the mayor concurred. It was clarified that that
96 three vehicles would come in and three would go out of the fleet. Director Swenson
97 added that the council direction of the past has been to not move new vehicles into the
98 fire division where they receive less use. Mayor Rafferty remarked that in this case
99 keeping the car in the police division for another year would probably bring the mileage
100 up to about 40,000 and that to him is a better fit for a fire division vehicle.
101
102 The budget discussion will continue at the next work session.
103
104 Mayor Rafferty asked if the purchase of certain vehicles (box loader was mentioned) is
105 authorized. A fleet cat, 350 dump and water and sewer vehicle were mentioned. Ms.
106 Lynch noted the new storm fund and the vehicle that is being purchased for that position.
107 The council concurred with those purchases.
108
109 Mayor Rafferty noted general fund surpluses that occur most years. Looking forward to
110 coming surpluses (possible 2023),he would like the council to consider future use. He'd
111 like to consider 50%to capital equipment, 25%parks and trail and 25%to gaps, etc. at
112 council discretion. Councilmember Lyden suggested that would be a good discussion at
113 a strategic planning session. Director Lynch remarked that it could be put into a formal
114 policy as some other cities do in regard to their reserve funds. Councilmember Ruhland
115 suggested he likes the freedom a yearly consideration offers to the council.
116
117 Councilmember Stoesz asked how The Rookery will show up in the 2023 budget. Ms.
118 Lynch suggested that she expects that function would best be managed by a revenue
119 enterprise fund.
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121 Ms. Lynch clarified that the council tabled the discussion of the type vehicle (Tahoe or
122 Explorer) and the rotation of vehicle #317 to the fire division. They will be discussed at
123 the December 61h work session. It is understood that Alexandra House will be removed
124 from the final consideration budget.
125 The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
126
127 These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting held on
128 December 13, 2021.
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131 �`-'--
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132 u-11aAe Bartell, City 'lerk Job Rafferty, Mayor
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