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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/02/1992 Council MinutesCOUNCIL WORK SESSION CITY OF LINO LAKES COUNCIL MINUTES SEPTEMBER 2, 1992 . September >2, '1992 STARTED . 5:00 P.M. ................................................ :.............................. ............................................... ............................... .................................................................. ............................... ................................................................. ............................... :::ENDED : ;8 32 P.M. ERS PRESENT: Reinert, Neal,; Kuether, Elliott, Bergeson;: ERS v. ABSENT None,.; Council Member Neal was excused at 5 3 0 ::P M Staff members present: City Accountant, Paula Schloer; Financial Officer, Mary Vaske; Public Works Director, Don Volk; Chief of Police, Dean Campbell; City Administrator, Randy Schumacher and Clerk - Treasurer Marilyn Anderson. SUMMARY OF 1993 BUDGET Mr. Schumacher outlined the budget process and noted the important dates for reporting to Anoka County. He explained that a preliminary levy must be established so that it can be certified to the Anoka County on September 14, 1992. After the preliminary levy has been established, it can be reduced but not increased. The final levy must be certified to Anoka County by December 28, 1992. Mr. Schumacher explained that landowners in Lino Lakes will receive a proposed property tax statement based on the preliminary levy certified on September 14, 1992. He noted that there will be many telephone calls because it appears that a large property tax increase is eminent for 1993. However, it must be explained that this is just a preliminary levy and the statement being mailed to residents at this time is only a preliminary estimate of taxes. Mayor Reinert asked that an insert be prepared for the newsletter explaining the preliminary property tax statement. Mayor Reinert noted that the 1993 is proposing only $90,000.00 in new taxes. Mr. Schumacher explained that the state legislature is looking at the trust fund that is suppose to be for the benefit of municipalities to help balance the state budget. PAGE 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 COUNCIL WORK SESSION SEPTEMBER 2, 1992 It was noted that if preliminary figures "hold up ", the Centennial School District taxes will be going down for 1993. Mr. Schumacher explained that he would like to highlight the significant changes in the proposed 1993 Budget. He also explained that the department -heads have listed what they feel are their needs. This list has not been cut at this time. Mayor Reinert -said that he does not -want to see a property tax increase because he felt people are hurting and the situation is not good. Significant New Requests: - Government Buildings: painting - Parks and Recreation Building: Mayor Reinert asked why Dedicated Funds cannot be used for some major acquisitions? Mr. Volk explained that 90% of the dedicated park funds must be used for the purchase of park land and for development of the park land. Ten percent of the dedicated funds can be used for maintenance. Council Member Kuether asked if upkeep of the City parks comes from dedicated funds. Mr. Volk said no, it comes from the annual budget. - Police Department Remodeling: Mr. Schumacher explained that Mr. Volk has preliminary estimates for completing the remodeling of the police building. They are as follows: garage addition, $21,500; blacktop, $6000.00; garage doors, $3500.00; footings, $1250.00; frost footings and foundation, $2450.00; floor drain, $6300.00; four (4) inch brick ledge, $6200.00; electricity, $4000,00; heating, $3000.00; plumbing, $1000.00; and rebuilding existing septic system, $5000.00. Council Member Bergeson asked how long the building is to be used. Mayor Reinert said he felt that this would become a quarter of a million dollar temporary building. - Public Works Department: New Employee, $26,174.00. Mr. Volk explained that this person will help with the upkeep of the new trail system in the vicinity of Rice Lake Elementary School. Mayor Reinert suggested that the City contract with the school district to have this work done rather than hire a new employee. - Pond Maintenance will be costly especially if the City wishes to implement the surface water management plan. Mayor Reinert felt that ponds and ditches should fall into a special category which would be covered by a utility assessment. Mr. Volk said that this could be addressed in the storm water management plan. - One -Half of Cost of Elmcrest Bridge - Mr. Volk explained that this is still an "iffy" project. It will get some state funding some year and then the City must address the issue. PAGE 2 COUNCIL WORK SESSION SEPTEMBER 2, 1992 - Culvert /Catch Basin Repair and Replacement - Mr. Volk explained that some repairs are completed every year. However, the Public Works Department is loosing ground on this matter. In addition, periodic upgrading is needed. The figures included for the 1993 Budget will allow the City to get caught up in this area. - Replace the 1983 Chevrolet S10 Pickup - Mayor Reinert asked if a pickup could be purchased used., It was suggested that donations from the service organizations be used for items such as this. Chief Campbell explained that such donations are slowing down. He noted that the state law has changed and is very confusing. This has been a wonderful resource. Council Member Kuether suggested sending a letter to the VFW listing a number of needed items, not just police items. - One Ton Truck Replacement - Mayor Reinert asked that a funding program be put together to build up a fund for replacement vehicles. Mr. Schumacher suggested using the balance left in closed bond funds for such purchases. - Seal Coating - Ms. Vaske explained that the City of White Bear Lake puts aside $50,000.00 each year for seal coating and then actually does the seal coating every four (4) years. Council Member Kuether noted that taxes have not been raised for a long period of time. However, now the City is behind on some of its programs. Mayor Reinert suggested that "large ticket" items be lumped together and then a certificate of indebtedness be purchased. Council Member Bergeson suggested that a policy be established first so that everything does not wear out at the same time. Mr. Volk said he could prepare a flow chart for a 10 year period. - Jet Vac Truck - Mr. Volk explained that now the City staff begs, borrows, steals or trades for this type of service. He would like to put this item on the flow chart. Mr. Volk explained that this truck would travel from one (1) situation to another to clean both water and sewer lines. This cost should come from the Utility Fund. - Boulevard Mower - this would also be a replacement. - One Ton Utility Truck - the financing for this item should come from the utility fund. - Solid Waste - Mayor Reinert asked if this item could be shared with another municipality. - City Festival - should this event be City sponsored and /or operated? PAGE 3 1 1 COUNCIL WORK SESSION SEPTEMBER 2, 1992 - Parks and Recreation Upgrade - the insurance company is requesting that some park equipment be upgraded. - Ballfield Greener - This is a maintenance machine. Mayor Reinert asked why a fund raiser could not be held to help finance such a machine. Mayor Reinert suggested than an old pick -up be used for grooming ballfields. - Forestry Intern - a grant will probably be forth coming to finance this position. Mayor Reinert asked that the items talked about be place on a priority list. Then the list can be budgeted. Some items can be included in the certificate of indebtedness so that the cost can be spread over a period of several years. Council Member Bergeson felt that the items that went into the certificate of indebtedness must be justified. He also asked that a list of critical needs for the next four (4) years be prepared. Mayor Reinert asked that the next work papers include percentage of increase or decrease. - Police Department: Chief Campbell listed his critical needs. - Additional Patrol Officer - He noted the increase in population and calls as the reason for the request. He also noted that there should be two (2) officers on call at all times. Chief Campbell also felt the department should get more involved with the investigation aspect of the department. Council Member Bergeson asked what was done during Officer Zerwas's disability. Chief Campbell explained that part -time officers were used, however there were times when there was only one (1) officer on call. - Patrol Vehicles - requesting replacement of four (4) vehicles. Chief Campbell told about ways of cutting down on costs. He noted that the CSO has been in a squad car recently and this has increased the visibility of the Police Department. Chief Campbell said he did not think patrol time was wasted time. Council Member Bergeson asked how many miles per year is driven with all squads. Chief Campbell explained that two (2) officers are assigned to each car and each officer averages 40,000 to 45,000 miles per year. Chief Campbell was asked if leasing squad cars could be a reasonable alternative to purchasing. Chief Campbell explained that this would not be cost effective because there would be a penalty for the large number of miles accumulated on each vehicle. PAGE 4 4/96 COUNCIL WORK SESSION SEPTEMBER 2, 1992 Mr. Schumacher noted that the Police Department has eight (8) vehicles. If the CSO vehicle and the Blazer are not included, there are six vehicles for squad use. Chief Campbell explained that he assigns two (2) officers (including part -time officers) to each of five (5) vehicles and he shares one (1) vehicle with the reserve officers. Mayor Reinert asked why the department has so many vehicles? Chief Campbell explained that he has calculated that each officer drives_,40,000 to 45,000 miles each year. Each squad accumulates 100,000 per year because two (2) officers drive each squad. Mayor Reinert said he felt the purchasing four (4) new squads this year was prohibitive. There was discussion regarding the use of squads and whether or not they wear out faster with multiple drivers. Chief Campbell explained that the City Mechanic does monitor the car use and he can determine if a car is getting hard use. - Computer Terminal - This terminal is a complete system and will use the secretaries printer. A printer is needed for the squad room. - Radar Units - Chief Campbell explained that he tries to replace two (2) radar units each year. This reduces the number of questions raised by judges regarding accuracy. Chief Campbell felt the radar units are necessary to bring additional revenue into the department. - Mobile Data Terminal - Chief Campbell explained that this is not new technology. These are used to do vehicle checks in the squad car. It was felt by all municipalities in Anoka County that the County should pay for the units. However, they will only pay for one (1) unit per municipality. Chief Campbell said he would like to obtain another unit under a lease /purchase program. The cost is approximately $7,500.00. Mayor Reinert asked Chief Campbell to establish a long term priority list and submit it to the City Council along with an explanation of where the money to purchase each item would come from. He also Chief Campbell to give "begging" some thought. Council Member Bergeson said he felt that the top priority would be squad car replacement. He also noted a need to get started on purchasing the data terminals. Council Member Kuether said she agreed with Council Member Bergeson. She said she did not know if another officer at this time was top priority. However, vehicles were a top priority. Council Member Bergeson noted that there is a request for a number of new personnel throughout the proposed budget. He asked that the City Council consider the request for additional personnel at one time. PAGE 5 1 1 1 1 1 4,9 ,. COUNCIL WORK SESSION SEPTEMBER 2, 1992 Mayor Reinert said he agreed that some squad cars need to be replaced. He also agreed that there was a need for the mobile data terminal. However, he said he had not heard good justification for the other requests and noted that the Police Department has three (3) months to provide the justification. Council Member Kuether asked if there will be any money left in the 1992 Budget to use to purchase a new squad. Mr. Schumacher said he support the position that there be a six (6) month fund balance to operate the City. At this time he was not aware of whether there will be additional dollars. Council Member Bergeson suggested that the City Council appropriate a dollar amount in the 1993 Budget and let the Chief of Police spend the money where he feels it is most appropriate. Elections - Mrs. Anderson explained that she all the equipment needed to operate the three (3) precincts at this time. However, if there is equipment failure, nothing is available as a replacement. Mrs. Anderson told the City Council that she will be requesting an additional accu -vote tabulating machine. Consultants - Mr. Schumacher explained that a five (5) year computer hardware /software plan has been drafted. He noted that the payroll, financial and utility software all should be updated. Revenues were briefly discussed. The last page of the draft budget contained a table showing what taxes are projected to be on a $115,000.00 and a $150,000.00 home if the levy proposed is adopted. Mr. Schumacher explained that it was the intent to let the City Council see all of the needs of each department. Mayor Reinert said that the department heads should not get the impression that the City Council said yes to all needs. The meeting was adjourned at 8:32 P.M. These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at a regular meeting of the City Council held on November 9, 1992. Marily G. Anderson, Clerk - Treasurer Vernon F. Reinert, Mayor PAGE 6