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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-29-95 CCMMINUTES APPROVED:9-5-95 LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL'BUDGET WORKSHOP AUGUST 29, 1995 Council person Conlin called the budget workshop to order at 5:12 p.m. in the council chambers. PRESENT: Hunt, Conlin, DeLapp, Johnston (arrived 5:35 p.m.), Kueffner, Terwedo, Banister and Kueffner. ABSENT:John 1. AGENDA Add: Memo from Planner Ann Pung-Terwedo on Cluster Land Use Policy M/S/P Hunt/DeLapp - to approve the August 29, 1995 Council agenda as amended. (Motion passed 3-0). M/S/P Hunt/Conlin - to postpone discussion on this agenda item until Council person Johnston arrives at the meeting. (Motion passed 3-0). PROPOSED 1996 BUDGET: Finance Director Banister provided the Council with a proposed 1996 budget and a handout on Residential Homestead Taxes versus Commercial/Industrial Taxes. The Council discussed the proposed budget and made the following changes: Page 2: Council Expense Fund - Decrease from $5,000 to $4,000 Professional Services: Engineer - lower from $40,000 to $35,000 Heritage Preservation - Eliminate the $1,500 Page 3: 2% State Aid/Contributions - Add $1,548 to $15,000 Banister provided copies of the Volunteer Firefighters Relief Association report form, Annual Corporate Registration for 1995, Pension Information for the Year Ended December 31, 1994. Banister pointed out on Page 3, the city's contribution will be $1,548. In 1993 the Council approved the Relief Assoc. By -Laws which included an increase from $1,350 to $1,450/year. Every time the city approves the extra $100/year, it's going to increase the amount of money that the Fire Dept. needs. Total Fire Department Budget: leave as -is, stay within last years budget. Concern with too many members answering one call. There was council consensus of the four council members present to direct the staff to recommend hiring consultation, outside of the City, such as through the League of MN cities or a professional, to analyze the Fire Dept. to become more efficient. Councilman Hunt voiced concerns from the MAC on some of our reserve funds for capital equipment. Are we putting away enough money? How much money is costing the city each year for each department? Page 4: Discussion on Compost Facility Program: Will we have a compost site and where will it be located. The $10,000 was left in budget Clean -Up Days: Cost has gone up considerably. Questions raised on what is made on salvage, is the City loosing an opportunity to make money or is Mr. Olinger doing us a service. Now, Mr. Olinger hauls it away and he sells it. Banister said this has been done for years. Carl Tacke has looked into this and will gave an update. There was a suggestion made to limit the number of tires. Banister pointed out the budget figure does not include getting rid of appliances. The Council has to resolve location of clean- up day in 1996 because the city has to be off the existing site and do not know if there will there be enough room on the existing maintenance site. This item will be referred to the Solid Waste Advisory Committee. Parks -Park Reserve Delete $5,000 Page 5: Public Works: Maintenance Foreman Dan Olinger requested an additional $2,000 for part-time snowplowing. The Council felt that just because they have additional equipment doesn't mean they have to hire a person to run it. The bobcat should be used by all the workers. Other Additions: Youth Service Bureau, Family Violence, Community Vol. Service - Amounts were left as -is. Payroll: Council agreed to the 5.1 % Increase in staff salaries. Acting Mayor Johnston arrived at 5:35 p.m. and the Council proceeded to discuss agenda item on clustering. 2. Memo from City Planner on Cluster Land Use Policy In the memo dated August 29,1995, Planner Terwedo explained that at the August 28th meeting, the Council and Planning Commission discussed the pros and cons as to whether or not city should approach this type of land use policy. There seemed to be a positive response to the broad idea of clustering. The density issue is the biggest hurdle which will need to be resolved. The meeting was adjourned before she would get a clear direction as to whether or not the City would like to further pursue the clustering concept. M/S/ DeLapp/Johnston - to request the staff prepare the first steps to putting together a comprehensive plan amendment and subsequently the necessary city policies and regulations that would be applicable to our adding to zoning ordinances on the clustering land use concept based on favorable reaction from the City Council and Planning Commission at the August 28th meeting. Council member Conlin pointed out there wasn't a motion made by the Planning Commission, but at least one commissioner wanted a representative from the Land Trust to talk to them in order to put them more at rest that you can keep the outlot as open space. She would like to wait on the motion until they receive a Planning Commission recommendation. Councilman Hunt stated the 3.33 acres were picked out of the air as a political compromise and this has worked out well. The Council should look at some of the bonus situations, be flexible and look at all sides and proceed ahead. Councilman DeLapp had a conflict in defining the bonus. He is not sure that 3.33 acres is the magical number that makes sense for development, but it did protect our borders. M/S/P Hunt/Conlin - to postpone consideration of the motion until the September 19th City Council meeting, which is the first meeting after the Planning Commission meets, subject to a recommendation on the Cluster Land Use Policy from the Planning Commission. (Motion passed 4-0). 1996 BUDGET (Continued discussion) Councilman DeLapp voiced his concern on installing street lights throughout the City where needed, such as by the elementary school or obscure places where they is hardly any traffic and could be used as security lighting. Administrator Kueffner explained street lights and MSA Funds are addressed in the new assessment policy she is working on. Page 4: Civil Defense Siren $7,000, Do not purchase the siren until we know where it will be located. At the September 5th Council meeting, the Finance Director will bring the 1996 budget, composed of the changes discussed, to the Council. M/S/P DeLapp/Hunt - to adjourn the workshop at 6:35 p.m. (Motion passed 4-0).