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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 1975/10/06PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA A special meeting of Mounds View City Council was called to order by Acting Mayor Hodges on October 6, 1975, at 8:00 p.m., at Mounds View City Hall, 2401 Highway 10, Mounds View, Mn. 55112 to consider the proposed 1976 budget. Present: Acting Mayor Hodges Also Present: Clerk -Adm. Achen Councilman Baumgartner Councilman Pickar Councilman Shelquist Acting Mayor Hodges asked Administrator Achen to review the proposed 1976 budget Administrator Achen noted that the 1976 general fund budget called for expenditures totaling $753,785 which represents an increase of $155,702 over the estimated 1975 expenditures. He explained that the general fund property tax levy is estimated to increase from 10.84 mills to 12.44 mills based on Ramsey County's estimate of Mounds View's total assessed valuation at $25,660,381. He indicated that using these estimates the tax bill on a home with an assessors market value of $36,000 would have an increase in city tax bill of approximately $12.18. The Administrator noted that the major areas of increase in expenditures were the result of expanded personnel staff. These include positions of clerk typist and program supervisor in the recreation department, and an accountant and a director of public works. The first three positions will be funded through June 30, 1976, through the Comprehensive Employment Training Act. The city will then assume funding of the positions for the remainder of the year. The director of public works position will supervise the inspection, streets and public utilities departments and the over all maintenance operations. This position will begin April 1, 1976. In addition capital expenditures are proposed to acquire automated punch card voting systems to eliminate the use of the paper ballot, installation of a third air raid natural disaster warning siren, development of Greenfield and Woodcrest Parks, remodelling of the Lambert Park lighting, replacement of two police squad cars, and remodel- ling of water treatment Plant #1 to meet requirements of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. The seal coating program funded through the revolving improvement fund will be continued in 1976. He indicated that again as in previous years the majority of new expen- ditures will have to be through an increase in the property tax. He stated that State Legislature has to date been unsuccessful in finding a major source of revenue to replace property tax. State aid will increase only $14,412 in 1976 which is less than half of what had been proposed in the governor's budget to the State Legislature. The 1976 budget also includes an increase in revenue from revision of the city's various license fees and fees assessed multiple dwelling properties_ Acting Mayor Hodges asked if any citizens present wished to ask questions or make comments. Marilyn Fauchald, 8270 Red Oak Drive, noted that there were several positions -2- October 6, 1975 in the budget indicated as being 1/ a person. She asked if these various positions combined to make full time positions. Administrator Achen responded that, yes, in most cases if there was 1/2 position in one place the other 1/2 would be in another department budget. He explained that the primary reason for this is with accounting requirements for receiving federal monies or grants. Mr. Gene Schouweiler, 3017 Bronson Drive, indicated that he was not in attendance to review the budget but for another matter. However, he asked whether there would be two full -time building inspectors next year. Administrator Achen indicated that the city had applied for a federal grant that would fund the additional 1/4 of the assistant building inspector's salary. If the grant is received there will be two full time inspectors next year. Judy Rowley, 2562 Ridge Lane, asked where the expenditure for the new voting devices could be found in the budget. The answer was in the election depart- ment account #1300 Councilman Shelquist asked why the cost of professional services in the finance department were proposed to increase from $1700 to $4000. Administrator Achen indicated that in 1976 the entire cost of the city audit would be expended from this account. He noted that this is in keeping with the Council's decision to transfer a lump sum from the public utilities fund to the general fund to pay for the administrative overhead services provided. Councilman Pickar noted that the parks and recreation budget had increased dramatically in the past two years. He stated that he felt the city was moving too fast in this regard. And that the size of the City of Mounds View did not warr,nt such an increase. Councilman Shelquist stated that he agreed with Councilman Pickar's uneasiness about the park and recreation budget. However, he noted that Mounds View has had minimal vandalism in its parks compared to other communities and that he thinks the money spent in this service area may really be helping to keep the city's police service costs down. Councilman Hodges stated that he felt the city had begun providing park and recreation services very late and that the increased costs represented the expense of catching up. He stated that he felt with 13,000 people the city really needed a quality program. Councilman Baumgartner noted that over 5,000 citizens had participated in park and recreation programs and that he felt the costs were justified in providing the level and quality of services necessary to meet the needs of citizens. MSP (Baumgartner Pickar) to adopt the 1976 budget as proposed and approved in Council working sessions and presented here tonight. 4 Ayes MSP (Hodges Shelquist) to adopt Resolution 691 establishing the city's 1976 general fund property tax levy at $319,215.00. 4 Ayes I -3- October 6, 1975 MSP (Baumgartner Shelquist) to adopt Resolution 692 directing the County Auditors to reduce by $97,383.00 the taxes to be levied for collection in 1976 for payment of principal and interest for the following improvement bonds: Water revenue bond of 1969 Improvement bond of 1968 Improvment bond of 1966 Improvement bond of 1965 Improvement bond of 1963 Water works improvement bonds dated October 1960 Water works improvement bonds dated May 1960 Administrator Achen noted that this reduction was based upon the June 20, 1973 bonded debt, assessments for tax levy study done by Ehlers and Associates, Inc. He stated that by so reducing the debt the debt service levy would be maintained at 5.25 mills as has been past Council policy. The total amount to be levied for debt services will be $134,717.00. Administrator Achen read the memorandum from Police Chief Grabowski requesting that Laurence Siluk be allowed to borrow up to 120 hours of sick leave because he had an emergency appendectomy last Tuesday. Administrator recommended that Council approve the request with the stipulation that Mr. Siluk be required to sign an affidavit stating that should he leave the employ of the city prior to accumulating enough sick leave to pay back the amount borrowed he would reimburse the city for any unpaid dollar amount through his regular earnings. MSP (Pickar- Baumgartner) to accept the Administrator's recommendation regarding this matter. Administrator Achen noted that an employee, Joan Greig,has requested a hearing pursuant to Chapter 6, Section 6.16, of the Municipal Code. He recommended the Council set a hearing on this subject prior to October 15, 1975. 4 Ayes MSP (Shelquist- Baumgartner) to set a hearing in accordance with the request of Joan Greig at 8:30 p.m., October 14, 1975. Administrator Achen indicated that two applications for contractor licenses had been recently received and the applicants had requested that the Council consider them tonight. MSP (Shelquist- Hodges) to approve the license requests of Michael DeMars and Gene Schouweiler for roofing and general contracting. Councilman Baumgartner stated that the building inspectors should be sure to observe closely the work of any contractors for whom we have very little background information. Councilman Baumgartner stated although this hearing on the 1976 budget has been fairly brief, the Council and staff have spent considerable time preparing, reviewing and revising the document. The original staff proposal called for a 2.13 mill increase in general fund expenditures. The budget adopted tonight establishes a mill rate increase of 1.60 mills. This reduction was accomplished by review of the Council and Council direction to the staff to revise the original proposal downward. 4 Ayes 4 Ayes -4- October 6, 1975 MSP (Pickar- Baumgartner) to adjourn at 8:55 p.m. 4 Ayes Respectfully submitted, Mark Achen Clerk- Administrator