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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/13/1993 Council MinutesCOUNCIL BUDGET WORK SESSION OCTOBER -13, 1993 279 1 1 CITY OF LINO LAKES COUNCIL MINUTES DATE : October 13, 1993 TIME STARTED : 5:15 TIME ENDED : 7:20 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT: Reinert, Neal, Elliott MEMBERS ABSENT : Kuether, Council Member Bergeson arrived a 7:05 P.M. Staff members present: City Administrator, Randy Schumacher; Public Works Director, Don Volk; Finance Director, Mary Vaske; Economic Development Advisory Board Chairman, Brian Wessel and Clerk -Treasurer Marilyn Anderson. A document titled "1994 Preliminary General Budget" was given to everyone present. This document contained a green page titled "1994 New Requests"; a yellow page titled, "1994 Police Chief's Requests"; and a blue page with property tax calculations for homes valued at $100,000.00 and subject to a City tax levy of $2,073,987.00, $2,268,950.00 and $2,348,950.00. Mr. Schumacher referred to the green page, 1994 New Requests, and explained that the Department Heads have given him their requests for new/additional personnel, equipment and projects. He has evaluated each request and has noted which requests he is recommending approval of to the City Council. Mr. Schumacher explained that he is giving each Department Head an opportunity to explain to the City Council the reason for the requests. PERSONNEL REQUESTS Economic Development Director Mr. Wessel told the City Council that he is recommending that the City. Council consider hiring a full time Director. He explained the amount:.of time he haddedicated to this position and noted . that although he -is contracted to the City on a half-time basis, he has actually spent much more time to complete everything that must be done. Mr. Wessel requested that the City Council hire a PAGE 1 2u COUNCIL BUDGET WORK SESSION OCTOBER 13; 1993 full-time'dir.ector because economic development is gaining momentum..inthe City and a number.of projects are now happening. He also had kept an informal record of the number of hours he worked in September. The total was 168 hours which is equal to a full-time position. Mr. Wessel also noted that there are more and more qualifying prospects and time is needed to give them the proper attention and not just "skim the surface". Mr. Wessel told the City Council that it. is his opinion that 1994 will be a very important year for economic development in the City. Probably more important that 1995 or 1996 because of the number of decisions to be made in the immediate future. The City Council discussed whether the full-time position should be a contract person or an employee. Mr. Wessel explained that a contract person would not carry the stigma of a government employee. Mr. Wessel explained that he will need to have a decision from the City Council on this matter soon because he is a consultant for other businesses and he will need to know how much time to commit to the director's position if he is to continue. Mayor Reinert asked Mr. Wessel if the City Council decides not to fund a full-time position, would the City have to look for a new director? Mr. Wessel said that he was not threatening to quit if the position continued to be part-time. He just wanted to know how much time to commit to the position so that he can let other employers know how much of his time he can devote to their needs. However, he said to do the job right a full-time director is needed. Mr. Schumacher told the City Council that he is working with NSP and may be able to negotiate partial funding for a full-time position. He also noted that another funding option may be TIF dollars. State statutes allow up to 10% of TIF income to be spent on personnel. Mayor Reinert asked about clerical support and furniture. Mr. Wessel said that the current part-time support is sufficient. The front end person (full-time director) is critical. Mayor Reinert noted that several new staff positions are proposed for 1994 and asked where these persons would be working. Mr. Schumacher explained that an engineering technician and secretary are requested.. At this time, administrative staff is considering toying the Parks *and Recreation Department to the park building on Lake Drive. This would free enough area for the two (2) new staff persons. Mr. Schumacher noted that a new Public Works PAGE 2 1 1 1 1 1 COUNCIL BUDGET WORK SESSION OCTOBER 13, 1993 person is also requested. However, the Public Works Department is being re -organized and no request will be made until after the re -organization. Council Member Elliott asked Mr. Wessel if he wanted to be a staff employee or remain a contract person. Mr. Wessel said it did not matter to him. However, he wanted to be sure that the City Council is aware of the need for a full time person and that there may some -funding from NSP. Mayor Reinert explained that the request for a full time director will be weighed against all of the other requests. He also stated that he was aware that the momentum in economic development is here. Mr. Wessel was asked about Mr Roger Jensen's participation on the EDAAB. Mr. Wessel explained that the City is able to take advantage of the resources at Anoka County because Mr. Jensen is a very active member of EDAAB. Mr. Jensen has established a very good network in the area of economic development. Council Member Elliott asked if EDAAB has approached Target Stores since it appears that they will not be building in White Bear Township. They may look at alternatives and Lino Lakes could have "a shot at attracting them to this City". Other personnel requests were discussed. The engineering technician/secretary is expected to take work away from the consultants. Much of the cost of this position can be billed directly to the developers. The seasonal grounds maintenance person is a full-time seasonal position. The request for a patrol officer will be a new position. The approval of this position would not eliminate the need for part- time police officers. Mr. Schumacher noted that Chief Pecchia is planning to re -organize the Police Department by eliminating the Operations/Administrative Officer position and adding a second sergeant position. The Public Works Lead Man position was discussed. There will be no request for this position until after a settlement is reached with the Lino Lakes Management Union. Mr. Volk noted that the position is not intended to be A new employee. He explained that the Union gets very excited every time the Public Works Foreman or Parks Director operates a machine. The Lead Man would- be a union employee who can both work and supervise in the field. PAGE 3 COUNCIL BUDGET WORK SESSION OCTOBER 13, 1993 Mayor Reinert felt that if a technician is hired, Mr. Volk would not be needed in the field and can return to his intended position of directing the Public Works Department. Mr. Volk explained that there are technicians in the field full-time right now. However, they are employed by TKDA and SEH. Mr. Volk asked if it is intended to hire one technician to replace the two that are already in the field? How can one technician take the place of two technicians and also do the work that Mr. Volk is now doing in the field. Mr. Volk explained that another person is needed in Public Works or services will have to be reduced. There is a need for additional equipment and additional personnel. Mayor Reinert asked that each department make a projection of their department personnel and equipment needs for the next five to ten years. A seasonal employee was requested to work as the "oil filter person". This employee would be funded through the waste abatement program. A forestry intern person was also requested. Mr. Volk explained that there is a funding source for this person. Mr. Schumacher asked the City Council to let him know what their priorities are and what positions they want to see filled. EQUIPMENT Engineering - Mr. Schumacher identified equipment needed by the Engineering Department for the new technician position. Mayor Reinert asked how a technician position would reduce consulting costs for the City. Mr. Schumacher explained and noted that costs would also be reduced for the developer. Mayor Reinert asked that Mr. Schneider calculate the cost advantages of two (2) staff persons as opposed to the cost of consultant fees. He said that the City should be able to explain the advantages of the (2) two employees as opposed to consultant fees. Council Member Bergeson said he would like to see an outline of the revenue side of the 1994 General Fund Operating Budget. Staff was asked to prepare projections to justify the addition of all the new positions. Mayor Reinert asked that Chief Pecchia prepare a plan far' all police vehicles and outline the rotation pattern. Council Member Bergeson asked that the Council be updated on how PAGE 4 1 1 1 1 1 COUNCIL BUDGET WORK SESSION OCTOBER 13, 1993 the 1993 General Fund Budget is operating. He asked if there will be any surpluses in any department that would allow the purchase of a 1994 equipment request from the 1993 General Fund Budget. Mr. Schumacher explained that this information will be available after the December 1, 1993 Truth in Taxation public hearing. He noted that any usual budget surpluse from each year is added to the reserve which funds the operation of the City for the first six (6) months of each year. Council Member Bergeson said that maybe it would be possible to add to the reserve and still fund something scheduled for 1994. Mr. Schumacher will prepare a projection of year end surpluses. Mr. Schumacher explained that the proposed 1994 Budget presented today indicates that there would be a zero tax increase. The City Council should now be thinking about making a decision regarding whether or not to reduce the proposed 1994 Budget and about the new requests for personnel and equipment. Priorities should be listed and then a consensus reached on each item. The next budget work session is scheduled for October 27, 1993. Council Member Bergeson asked Mr. Schumacher to prepare information concerning space needs and proposed solution to the shortage of space. Police Chief Peechia will be present at the next budget work session to answer questions regarding the Police Department Budget. The work session ended at 7:20 P.M. These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at a regular Council meeting held on December 13, 1993. Marilyn G. Anderson, Vernon F. Reinert, Clerk -Treasurer Mayor PAGE 5