Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/11/1990 Council Minutes151 CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORK SESSION- 11 DECEMBER 1990 Mayor Harold Bisel called the City Council budget work session to order at 4:10 P.M., Tuesday 11 December 1990. Members present: Neil, Bohjanen, Kuether. Randy Schumacher, City Administrator; Daniel Tesch, Assistant to the City Administrator; Paula Schloer, City Accountant; and Dave MacGillivray of Springstead Inc. were also present. Mr -. Schumacher began the meeting by introducing Mr. MacGillivray to the Council. Mr. MacGillivray is one of the city's financial advisors and was present to explain why he felt it was important that the city seriously consider a Finance Director. He outline four points: 1. You are already paying the Finance Director's salary due to the fact that you rely on consultants who charge you a higher hourly rate than you would have to pay an employee,, 2. Opportunities are reduced because current staff does not have the time to examine alternatives, and detailed charter requirements. 3. A Financial Director would increase the flow of financial information to the Administrator and the Council. 4. The city would be able -to reduce its cost for financial consultants. 1 K Mr, ac,Gillivray ,con' a n.ued bit i t at .off (es _ is_. ?the✓`. Lu requirements. It causes uncertainty, increase risk, and puts the city in a position of not being able to afford mistakes. Returning to Item 4, Mr. MacGillivray stated that the city would be saving money in almost all consulting areas, ie auditors, (auditor accounting services) and engineers. Council Member Neal asked what is the going rate for finance directors. Mr. MacGillivray suggested around $35,000.00...:, Police Department Mr. Neal had a question on court time. Mr. Schumacher explained how court time worked, and how officers usually have to go on their time off as court is only in session during the day. Mr. Neal then questioned holiday pay. Mr. Schumacher explained that double time for holidays is paid to all officers regardless if they work on that day or not. This is a uniform practice in all cities, and was in place even before Mr. Schumacher arrived. During the present contract negotiations, :.:a. one -half increase was added to those officers who actually work on holidays bringing their holiday pay to PAGE 1 1 1 1 CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORK SESSION 11 DECEMBER 1990 two and one half times their regular pay. Council Member Kuether stated that she was concerned with the number of patrolmen the city employees. She continued that she had met with Officer Keller and according to his figures, the city was on the low end of police employees. Mr. Schumacher stated that while we were not at the high end of our officers to residents ratio, he felt we had adequate protection. Mr. Schumacher continued that Chief Campbell had originally requested 2 additional officers in 1991, but that he (schumacher) had removed one of those officers once it became clear that budget cuts were necessary. The second officer was cut when final cuts were made. Mayor Bisel asked Mr Schumacher if he felt the officers were necessary. Mr. Schumacher agreed that we could use perhaps one officer, but this year we simply could not afford it. Mr. Schumacher went on to recommend that the city freeze all staff hires until after we see what the State does to our aids and revenues. The Council concurred. Mr. Bohjanen did not want the city to have to play catch up in a couple of years, and requested that Mr. Schumacher leave some money in the police budget in the event that an officer be added mid -year. Mr. Schumacher reminded the Council that without the City of Centerville to patrol, Lino Lakes' costs would not decrease, but service to our own residents would increase. The police department would also not have to respond to the 600 calls received from Centerville last year, therefore the need for an additional officer was lessened. Fire The fire department budget is fixed by the Joint Powers Agreement. Building Department Mr. Bohjanen recommended a 5% cut in this department. Civil Defense This department has been combined with the police department. Animal Control Mr. Schumacher informed the City Council that every city in the county received an increase in animal control this year. Mr. Schumacher was instructed to check on who pay for euthanasia. Public Works The Council questioned the increase in overtime. Mr. Schumacher responded that the majority of shop overtime each year is for snow removal. Council Member Kuether asked about PAGE 2 i 3 CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORK SESSION 11 DECEMBER 1990 the street light bill. The dollar figure here represents the utility bills for maintenance and operation of street lights. The Council discussed the possibility of billing residents for their street lights. Solid Waste Abatement This figure is all reimbursable from the County and represents state mandated recycling programs. Weed Inspections This department is now included under the forestry department. Park Department This department is where we would be placing our recreation program. Mr. Bohjanen suggested we find a 10% to 15% decrease in this department. Mr. Schumacher reminded the Council that with a new recreation program, we may have to add dollars, not subtract. Park Board The City Council discussed the possibility of reducing this board from seven to five members. The Council directed Mr. Schumacher to reduce this budget to reflect five members in 1991. Cable There was no change in this budget. Forestry The Council questioned why this budget had increased. Mr. Schumacher explained to the Council that the vibra- cutter for disease control was included in this budget and was a one time charge. He added that Mr. Hoffman's salary had been divided between this department, and public works. The Council also discussed the reforestation project and requested that this figure be cut by 50 %. Salary Reserve Mr. Schumacher explained that this figure was only an estimate. Mr. Schumacher had the Council return to page one of the budget and he reviewed some of the changes he had already made in the budget. He stated that he would recommend holding off on the finance director until July, that the City would bid out the printing on it's newsletter, and that PAGE 3 1 1 1 1 1 CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORK SESSION 11 DECEMBER 1990 $4,714 would be moved from other consultants to the recreation program. The Council discussed the planning budget, with Mayor Bisel stating that Lino Lakes needs a planner. Mr. Schumacher would continue to explore reducing this budget. Meeting adjourned. PAGE 4