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Home My WebLink About12/13/2011LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 1 of 3 December 13, 2011 Mayor Dains called the City Council meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. Councilors present: Mary Gaasch, Roxanne Grove, Denise Hawkinson, Lara Mac Lean, and Mayor Jeff Dains. Staff present: Heather Butkowski, City Administrator; Jim Bownik, Assistant to the City Administrator; and Kevin Kelly, Deputy City Clerk. Mayor Dains asked for changes to the meeting agenda. The Mayor added city staff appreciation to the agenda. Councilor Hawkinson moved to approve the agenda as amended. Councilor Grove seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Councilor Grove moved to approve the November 22, 2011, City Council meeting minutes. Councilor Gaasch seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Councilor Hawkinson moved approval of the claims totaling $99,516.09. Councilor Gaasch seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Councilor Gaasch moved the consent agenda acknowledging October finances and PCIC minutes and approving 2012 licenses, Resolution 121311A applying for the 2012 SCORE grant, warming house attendant hires, and transfer of the City's prosecuting services to Hughes and Costello. Councilor Mac Lean seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Butkowski presented information on the proposed 2012 budget and levy. The projected 2012 General Fund budget was $1,178,253 resulting in a 31.21% city tax rate. The projected special revenue fund revenues totaled $603,157 with anticipated special revenue fund expenditures of $533,096. The proposed property tax levy for 2012 was $598,152, a three percent increase over 2011. Fiscal Disparities will buy down $101,159 of that amount leaving a local property tax levy of $496,993. Due to the elimination of the Market Value Homestead Credit (MVHC) and shifts in market value, the three percent levy increase resulted in a 12.3% city tax increase on median value homes. A median value home would see an overall tax increase of $157. Butkowski then explained for the audience how the money is spent by department. Mayor Dains opened the public hearing on the proposed budget and levy at 7:45 p.m. No one present wished to address the Council. Mayor Dains closed the public hearing at 7:46 p.m. LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 2 of 3 The Council discussed the proposed levy. They articulated that approving the increase was difficult but would contribute to the long-term viability of Lauderdale. The Mayor reiterated that the 3% levy increase would generate $15,000418,000 dollars but the more dramatic change in taxes was the result of the Legislature's elimination of the Market Value Homestead Credit Program. Councilor Hawkinson moved to adopt the 2012 city budget and Resolution 121311B — a resolution levying taxes for 2011 payable in 2012 in the amount of $598,152. Councilor Mac Lean seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Bownik addressed the Council regarding the 2012 sewer and recycling rates. Due to a reduction in the cost to treat sewage and revenue sharing from the recycling hauler, staff does not recommend increasing the recycling or sanitary sewer rates for 2012. Due to increasing stormwater management costs and the desire to set aside money for future stormwater system improvements, staff recommends increasing the stormwater rate by 12.5% or $1.16 per quarter per home. Councilor Gaasch moved to adopt Resolution 121311C — a resolution establishing 2012 storm sewer rates, sanitary sewer rates, and recycling rates. Councilor Mac Lean seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. As previously discussed, Bonestroo was absorbed by Stantec. Stantec is asking the City Council to assign all existing contracts in the name of Bonestroo to Stantec. Councilor Hawkinson moved to assign all existing contracts in the name of Bonestroo to Stantec. Councilor Gaasch seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Butkowski explained that the City would have to comply with GASB standard 54 by the end of the year. The standard requires the Council to adopt a new fund balance policy and a resolution defining the purpose of revenue in the Community Events,. Communication, and Recycling Funds. Councilor Mac Lean moved to adopt the updated Fund Budget Policy and Resolution 121311D — a resolution committing specific revenue sources and confirming restrictions for specified purposes in special revenue funds. Councilor Grove seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Mayor Dains said the Council annually offers staff a day off over the holidays in appreciation for their work throughout the year. The Council discussed what terms the day off could be taken under. LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 3 of 3 Councilor Hawkinson moved to allow staff to take a day off in appreciation for their work throughout the year between now and January 31. Councilor Mac Lean seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. , Butkowski reviewed the preliminary agenda for the next meeting, which included parking revisions in addition to the items the Council must address at the first meeting of each year. Mayor Dains explained the Council was moving into the work session. Work sessions are a continuation of the meeting but not aired on community television. The Mayor asked if anyone present wished to address the Council. No one addressed the Council. There being no further business on the council agenda, Councilor Hawkinson moved to adjourn the meeting. Councilor Grove seconded the motion and it carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:07 p.m. Respectfully submitted, , Heather Butkowski City Administrator