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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Packets - 1992/01/02 7:00 P.M. 1 . Discussion of Conditional Use Permit (C.U.P.) For Saturn Proposal and Planned Unit Development for Mounds View Business Park South 2. 1992 Compensation Plan - Salary Adjustments - Contract for Police - Contract for Public Works 3. 1992 Required Council Actions 4. Discussion of Continuance of the Appreciation Dinner ate of Ramsey-County-Study-Commission Recommendations for Consolidation 6. Discussion of City Fees 7. Discussion of City Services Survey 8. Discussion of Street Light Utility Budget 19. Discussion of Lake Side Park Operation (per Councilmember Quick) REQUEST FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION Agenda Section: 2. 111708 92-±35WSSTAFF REPORT Report Number: N January 6, 1992 Report Date: 1—2-92 AGENDA SESSION DATE DISPOSITION Itemscri ti consideration of 1992 Annual Compensation Adjustments for Union and Non-union personnel Administrator's Review/Recommendation: - No comments to supplement this report - Comments attached. Explanation/Summary (attach supplement sheets as necessary.) ,SUMMARY; Non-union 1992 Compensation Proposals: I have met several times with union representatives of the Police union and the Public Works collective bargaining unit and have reached the following 1992 contract package proposals for Council consideration: Police Term of Contract: January 1, 1992 to December 31, 1992 1. 1992 Wage Increase 2 5% to base .5% lump sum 2 . Investigator Wage: $148/month to $160/month- Plus 1 hour of Comp Time for every off duty call between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. 3. Uniform Allowance from $450 per month to $475 per month. 4 . Health Insurance to $285 per month All other contract language will remain the same as in 1991 (vacation, sick leave, hel-iday, court, overtime-and -a-ndby-pay) . - Public Works Term of Contract: January 1, 1992 to December 31, 1992 1. 1992 Wage Increase 2 9% to base 2 . , Standby Duty Pay increased from 5 to 6 hours of overtime pay. 3. Health Insurance to $285 per month. All other contract language will remain the same as in 1991. Samantha Orduno, C ty Administrator RECOMMENDATION: In consideration of pay equity, it was necessary to limit the annual increase of employee classes which were identified by D.O.E.R. as over the "predicted pay. " The 2 .5% increase for police will begin to reduce the compensation gap between the female and male dominated classes which are directly compared to one another. Non-Union Personnel A 3% Annual Compensation Adjustment (ACA) increase has been budgeted for non-union personnel and the City contributions to health insurance from $250 per month to $285 per month consistent with the union proposals. It is also proposed that all non union employees be included in a new compensation plan which is based on salary step provisions consistent with the recommendations of D.O.E.R. and is also Standard personnel practice in most Metro area cities. The proposed Compensation Policy is being finalized and will be available at Monday's meeting. The proposed Policy will consist of two parts . Part I represents the proposed 5 Step Compensation Plan wherein the top salary step - Step 5 is equal to the Stanton Group 5 mean salary. Part II consists of the Pay Equity compliance and Maintenance Program and is recommended as the method by which the City will conduct an annual analysis of pay equity and make necessary adjustments. The policy also provides for program maintenance as required by the Pay Equity Act. The purpose of the proposed Compensation Policy is to keep all position classes competitive with their professional status and to also keep the City competitive in the recruitment and retention of quality employees. The Policy recommends an annual Stanton analysis in which all positions are adjusted to their Stanton Mean at the end of the year. The recent pay equity adjustments brought all but one female dominated classes to their Stanton—Mean. All but the following male dominated positions are at or above their Stanton Mean: Athletic Supervisor Public Works Director Finance Director It is recommended that the Athletic Supervisor be paid consistent with the proposed Compensation Policy effective January 1, 1991. The 5 Step Plan is indicated below: Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 $12 . 91/hr. $13. 72 $14 .53 $15. 33 $16 . 14/hr. Due to the length of service, the Park and Recreation Director has requested, and I concur, that he be placed at Step 2 of the Compensation Plan. All Department Heads except the Park and Recreation Director (who was adjusted to her mean as part of the Pay Equity Adjustments) are currently significantly below their Stanton mean comparisons. The Police Chief and Public Works Director are compensated approximately at 90% of their Stanton comparison. The Finance Director is compensated at less than 85% of his Stanton mean. All Department Heads have been employed with the City for more than 3 years, which is the number of years it would take to normally- reach the Step 5 of the proposed Step Plan. To bring the Department Heads to their Stanton in one fell swoop is not financially prudent. However, it is recommended to begin the process by which all Department Heads will be compensated consistent with the policy applied to all other employees . It is therefore recommended that in 1992 all Department Heads be compensated at 90% of their Stanton mean. The recommended action would be reflected in the following compensation adjustments (compensation is listed as monthly) : POSITION CURRENT PAY STANTON MEAN 90% OF MEAN ADJ./MO. PLUS 3% Police Chief N/A - Postion currently at 90% of Mean P.W. Dir. $4565 $5107 $4596 $31/mo Finance Dir. $4188 $4987 $4488 $300/mo Administrator $4833 $5931 $5338 N/A * * Wage set by contract REQUEST FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION Agenda Seetron: 3 nlorWADS STAFF REPORT Report Number: 9 2-13 6WS MVr AGENDA SESSION DATE Report Date: 1-2-92 January 6 , 1992 DISPOSITION Item Description: 1992 Required Council Actions Administrator's Review/Recommendation: - No comments to supplement this report - Comments attached. Explanation/Summary (attach supplement sheets as necessary.) SUMMARY; The arrival of the new year requires Council action on several administrative activities: selection of an official newspaper, depositories, appointing or reappointing advisory commission members and setting the calendar for the year. Attached please find draft copies of the required resolutions. Inquires have gone out to the advisory commission members whose terms have expired. Hopefully there will be responses for Monday's discussion. O i V.AL_ Aaatto 1 antha Ordu i o, City A. u'i istrator RECOMMENDATION: Council consideration for formal action at January 13, 1992 Council Meeting RESOLUTION NO. 4159 CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW COUNTY OF RAMSEY STATE OF MINNESOTA RESOLUTION RESCHEDULING CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS FALLING ON LEGAL HOLIDAYS WHEREAS, Chapter 2 .01 of the Municipal Code calls for regular meetings of the Mounds View City Council to occur on the second and fourth Mondays of each month; and WHEREAS, Chapter 2 .03 of the Municipal Code calls for agenda meetings of the Mounds View City Council to occur on the first and third Mondays of each month; and WHEREAS, certain Mondays in 1992 are dates recognized as legal holidays, thus prohibiting an official meeting of the Mounds View City Council; and WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Mounds View City Council to reschedule those meetings in conflict with legal holidays. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the CIty of Mounds View that the following meeting dates are rescheduled as shown: Original Date Rescheduled Date May 25, 1992 May 26, 1992 October 12, 1992 October 13, 1992 Adopted this-6th—day of Januar,1992 . ATTEST; Mayor (SEAL) Clerk-Administrator MEMORANDUM TO: MAYOR LINKE FROM: ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARY, MICHELE SE SON DATE: DECEMBER 30, 1991 RE: END OF TERM - COMMISSION MEMBERS The following people will be ending their terms on specific commissions: Pamela Starr - Park and Recreation Commission Jerry Blanchard - Police Civil Service Commission Jerry Peterson - Planning Commission Gary Jones - Planning Commission cc: Samantha Orduno, City Administrator Councilmembers Wuori, Quick, Blanchard and Rickaby 1992 DEPARTMENT LIAISON SCHEDULE FIRST QUARTER Administration - Finance - Parks, Recreation and Forestry - Police - Public Works/Community Development - SECOND QUARTER Administration - Finance - Parks, Recreation and Forestry - Police - Public Works/Community Development - THIRD QUARTER Administration - Finance - Parks, Recreation and Forestry - Police - Public Works/Community Development - FOURTH QUARTER Administration - Finance - Parks, Recreation and Forestry - Police - Public Works/Community Development - RESOLUTION NO. 4160 CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW COUNTY OF RAMSEY STATE OF MINNESOTA RESOLUTION APPOINTING OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER, ACTING MAYOR AND OFFICIAL DEPOSITORY FOR 1991 WHEREAS, it is the policy of the City of Mounds View to appoint the official newspaper, Acting Mayor and Official Depository at its Annual Meeting each year; and WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Mounds View City Council to confirm these appointments for 1990 . NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Mounds View hereby appoints the following: Official Newspaper - Acting Mayor - Primary Depository for checking accounts, savings accounts, and investments: Adopted this 6th day of January, 1992 . ATTEST: Mayor (SEAL) Clerk-Administrator I RESOLUTION NO. 4161 CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW COUNTY OF RAMSEY STATE OF MINNESOTA RESOLUTION REAPPOINTING COMMISSION MEMBERS WHEREAS, the terms of the below listed persons have expired on the various commission to which they serve; and Planning Commission Gary Jones Jerry Peterson Parks, Recreation and Forestry Commission Pamela Starr Police Civil Service Commission Jerry Blanchard WHEREAS, each person listed was contacted by the Mayor and; WHEREAS, each person was interested in being reappointed to the commission or committee to which they had been serving. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Mounds View hereby reappoints the following persons for a three year term expiring December 31, 1994: Planning Commission Parks, Recreation and Forestry Police Civil Service Commission Adopted this 6 day of January, 1992 . ATTEST: Mayor (SEAL) Clerk-Administrator RESOLUTION NO. 4163 CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW COUNTY OF RAMSEY STATE OF MINNESOTA RESOLUTION APPOINTING CITY COUNCILMEMBERS AND CLERK-ADMINISTRATOR AS REPRESENTATIVES FOR CITY COMMISSIONS AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS WHEREAS, members of the City Council act as representatives to City Commissions and other organizations; and WHEREAS, the following members of the City Council have been named to act as representatives to the following City Commissions for the year 1992: 1. Planning Commission - Alternate: 2 . Parks and Recreation Commission - Alternate: WHEREAS, the following members of the City council and the Clerk-Administrator have been named to act as representatives of the City to the following organizations for the year 1992: 1. Northwest Suburban Youth Service Bureau - , Alternate - 2 . Arden Hills/Shoreview/Mounds View/North Oaks Chapter of the Suburban Area Chamber of Commerce - ; Alternate - 3. - Ramsey County League of Local- Government ; Alternate - 4. Association of Metropolitan Municipalities - ; Alternate - 5. SpringLakePark/Blaine/Mounds-View--Firemen's Relief Association - i . RESOLUTION NO. 4163 PAGE TWO OF TWO NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Mounds View that the aforementioned appointments are hereby approved. Adopted this 6 day of January, 1992 . ATTEST: Mayor (SEAL) Clerk-Administrator REQUEST FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION Agenda Section: 4 . 11706 9x.-13711S STAFF REPORT Report Number: Mtu° AGENDA SESSION DATE January e, 199 2 Report Date: 1-2-97- DISPOSITION Item Description: Discussion of Continuance of the Appreciation Dinner Administrator's Review/Recommendation: - No comments to supplement this report X - Comments attached. Explanation/Summary (attach supplement sheets as necessary.) SUMMARY; On Wednesday, December 18, 1991 Jan Quick and I met regarding the cancellation of the Annual Appreciation Dinner. Jan expressed great interest in keeping the tradition of the Appreciation Dinner alive in order to recognize volunteers, commissioners and staff members. I agreed that this was a worthwhile tradition and that I too was interested in pursuing the possibility of continuing with the dinner. I was informed that the Council was concerned with the amount of staff time that was involved in the Appreciation Dinner. After doing the dinner for so many years, I have built up a large data base on the computer which allows me to merely press a few keys and the computer does the rest by merging names of businesses with letters for donations, and names of commissioners and special guests with invitations. This can be done after business hours on my own time. Jan has volunteered to do all the stuffing of envelopes and many of the coordinating activities. Jan and I have worked together on many, many special events and are able to organize events quickly and efficiently without a lot of time being spent. If the Council feels that the Appreciate Dinner should continue, the dates that would be —available-at the Bel-' : _ _ _ _ . _. . -rday -ebruary-22;-F-riday—Mar-eh 13; _Friday, March20; Friday, ApriLJO; or Saturday,_April_1$_cday_before Easter.)_At this point, there is still money budgeted for the dinner and we would anticipate donations from local business and vendors. Your consideration of this issue would be appreciated. Jan and I would suggest that the Saturday, February 22 date be chosen for the dinner. We feel that if a decision is made to proceed with the dinner soon, there would be sufficient time to send out invitations and provide adequate advertisement of the event. '-(4 - i./ a ) Sharie Lin e,Administ ative Assistant RECOMMENDATION; Consideration of reinstatement of the Annual Appreciation Dinner with organization of the event by Jan Quick and Sharie Linke with little or no use of staff time. REQUEST FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION Agenda Section: 5. Report Number: 92-13 8W S STAFF REPORT CIEu AGENDA SESSION DATE January 6, 199 2 Report Date: 1-2-9 2 DISPOSITION Item Description: Update of Ramsey County Study Commission's Recommendation Administrator's Review/Recommendation: - No comments to supplement this report - Comments attached. Explanation/Summary (attach supplement sheets as necessary.) SUMMARY; The Ramsey County Local Government Services Study Commission is progressing towards completion of the final report to the Legislature regarding the 5 areas designated for consolidation consideration: Police, Public Works, Health Services,.Libraries and Prosecution Services. Cities have been asked to submit their comments before January 15, 1992 regarding the Commissions' preliminary consolidation proposal. The Commission's proposal were given to Council members at the December Worksession for review and comment. The staff Committee will be reviewing the 5 subcommittee draft reports on January 3, 1992. If the reports are available a complete update of actions to date will be possible. amantha Orduno, City A•:u 1 1 istrator RECOMMENDATION: REQUEST FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION Agenda Section: 7 STAFF REPORT Report Number: 92-139 WS Jan. 2, 1992 V MI° January 6, 1992 AGENDA SESSION DATE Report Date: DISPOSITION Item Description: DISCUSSION REGARDING CITY SERVICES SURVEY Administrator's Review/Recommendation: - No comments to supplement this report - Comments attached. Explanation/Summary (attach supplement sheets as necessary.) SUMMARY; Prior to and during the Budget hearing for the 1992 budget, the subject of a resident services survey was discussed. The purpose of the survey was to seek out resident views on what services they wished to have in Mounds View, what services or programs they felt could be reduced or eliminated and some better understanding of what the residents were willing to pay for continued or reduced service levels . I have spoken with Diane Traxler of Decision Resources, LTD, who represents the firm which conducted the 1988 Mounds View Community Survey, and she and I are meeting on January 15th to discuss the survey. She commented during our discussion that the City of Richfield has just completed a service analysis survey and a few other cities will be doing surveys later in the year. It appears that this type of analysis is contemplated as a means of providing answers to pending 1993 budget issues . This item is being placed on the Work Session Agenda to begin the discussion regarding the need for the survey, what kind of survey does the Council envision, what are the issues which need to be addressed and how will the survey material be used upon its conmpletion.Also, the discussion needs to include the issueof publishing a survey in the City newsletter - one that compliments the formal survey. I have attached a copy of the Executive Summary from the 1988 survey. Saman a Orduno, Cit Administrator RECOMMENDATION; REQUEST FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION Agenda Section: 8 111111Cor92-140 WS STAFF REPORT Report Number: AGENDA SESSION DATE January 6 , 1992 Report Date: Jan. 2, 1992 DISPOSITION Item Description: CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSED STREET LIGHT UTILITY BUDGET Administrator's Review/Recommendation: - No comments to supplement this report .L/9" - Comments attached. Explanation/Summary (attach supplement sheets as necessary.) SUMMARY; A Street Light Utility Program was adopted by Ordinance No. 497 on November 25, 1991. The Street Light Utility Program should be budgeted in the same manner as the Water and Sewer Utility Funds. A 1992 Street Light Utility Budget has been prepared using figures contained in memos previously submitted by Staff which contained proposed revenues and expenses of the Program for 1992 - 1994. Also attached is Resolution 4165, A Resolution Adopting The 1992 Street Light Utility Budget. (7033-••.-cx4 = RF,COMMENDATION; Donald Brager, .Q ance Director Adopt Resolution 4165, A Resolution Adopting The 1992 Street Light Utility Budget. p STREET LIGHT UTILITY INCOME STATEMENT 1992 PROPOSED REVENUE: USER FEES $75,363 PENALTIES & INTEREST $0 CONNECTION FEES $0 INVESTMENT INCOME $0 OTHER REVENUE $0 TOTAL REVENUES $75,363 EXPENSES: OPERATIONS $63,849 CAPITAL OUTLAY $0 CONTINGENCY $3,031 TOTAL EXPENSES $66,880 NET INCOME (LOSS) $8,483 S • w CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW 1992 BUDGETED REVENUES 770 STREET LIGHT UTILITY FUND 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 ITEM DESCRIPTION ACTUAL ACTUAL ACTUAL ESTIMATED PROPOSED CURRENT SERVICES 3474 USER FEES $0 •$0 $0 $0 $75,363 TOTAL CURRENT SERVICES $0 $0 $0 $0 $75,363 OTHER REVENUES 3901 INVESTMENT INTEREST $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 TOTAL OTHER REVENUES $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 GRAND TOTAL ST LIGHT UTILITY $0 • $0 $0 $0 $75,363 • • t CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW DEPARTMENTAL BUDGET DETAIL - 1992 EXPENDITURES 111/1 770-4121 STREET LIGHT UTILITY FUND 1989 1990 1991 1991 DEPARTMENT TEAM COUNCIL ITEM DESCRIPTION ACTUAL ACTUAL BUDGETED ESTIMATED REQUESTS REQUESTS APPROVES CONTRACTUAL SERVICES 324 STREET LIGHTS $0 $0 $0 $0 $63,849 $63,849 $63,849 TOTAL CONTRACTUAL SERVICES $0 $0 $0 $0 $63,849 $63,849 $63,849 MISC DISBURSEMENTS 910 CONTINGENCY $0 $0 $0 $0 $3,031 $3,031 $3,031 TOTAL MISC DISBURSEMENTS $0 $0 $0 $0 $3,031 $3,031 $3,031 GRAND TOTAL ST LIGHT UTILITY $0 $0 $0 $0 $66,880 $66,880 $66,880 • • RESOLUTION NO. 4165 41, CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW COUNTY OF RAMSEY STATE OF MINNESOTA A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE 1992 STREET LIGHT UTILITY BUDGET WHEREAS, the Council on November 25, 1991 adopted Ordinance No. 497 which established a street light utility program; and WHEREAS, the Council desires to adopt a budget for all revenues and expenditures pertaining to the street light utility pry; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Mounds View that the following budget for the street light utility for the calendar year 1992 is hereby approved: STREET LIGHT UTILITY FUND Revenues User Fees $ 75, 363 110 Expenditures Operations $ 63, 849 Contingency $ 3, 031 Total Expenses $ 66,880 Estimated Net Income $ 8, 483 Adopted this 13th day of January, 1992 . ATTEST: Mayor (SEAL) Clerk-Administrator 0 •--En Decision Resources Ltd FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION TO: NAME 1211k ilk A AITIM 0 D OuN 0 DATE ADDRESS 4 . t4 PACES l ;41Xts 41, COMPANY FAX NUMBER 2Lt.I.L 11_0 FROM: NA?a4 TIME SENT oft MES SA-3E f 44. (A00-v, os 0,1 -/Aer 4m.011 'to t or4 4-0 nt Note to Facsimile Qperator: Please deliver this facsimile transmission to the above addressee. If you did not receive all of the pages in good condition, please advise us at your earlist convenience. Thank you. ••• 3:2 8 nyt.ars, From : EFL Jan. 06. 1992 01:7)4 PM P02 • - 1111111 Decision Resources i t . EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This study contains the results of a survey of 500 randomly selected cable residents of the Cities of Fridley, Spring Lake Park, New Brighton, and Mounds View. The sample was stratified to include 100 respondents from each community and an additional • . 100 senior citizens across the area. Hence, the composite random sample of the four cities contained 400 residents, while the senior sample included 146 residents. Survey responses were gathered by professional interviewers between December 3, and December 11 , 1991. The average interview of residents was sixteen minutes . Random samples such as this one yield results projectable to the entire four cities area within + 5. 0 percent in 95 out of 100 cases; among seniors, it is projectable to within '+ 8 . 3 percent with the same confidence. Area Residents: The four cities encompass a highly heterogeneous population. The average age of adult residents was 44 . 4 years old. Almost one-half of the population was within the 31--50 year age range. The median longevity in the area was 13 . 5 years, with about one- quarter new to the four communities during the past five years. One-quarter of the residents moved to the four cities from Minneapolis ; a similar percentage moved from other Northern suburbs. Twelve percent reported moving between the four communities ; of this group, the majority had spent ten years in their former community before moving to a neighboring community. A—veryhigh seventy-one-percent ofthe -sample- --had no intention of moving 'during the next ten years4 in fact, only nine percent indicated a potential move during the next two years. Twenty-one percent of the households contained over sixty year olds ; but, only one-half that number were composed exclusively of seniors. -School-aged children- could be found in twenty-nine percent of the households, while fifteen percent indicated the-pres-enc-e of p-re-schoolers. ---Orgy--fi-f-teen percent-of---- --- - - the sample rented their current residences. The occupational structure of households Gab btep a great degree of diversity: five relatively equal groups were found and -- Professional- Technical , Owner-Manager, a le-rical-Sales , rilue Collar, and Retirees . The same diversity of prior occupations was found in retired etirev households .eWomen outnumbered men by eight percent.. J_ogrSyhT aly+ Fridley households were forty-one percent of the samples New !Si i tore, w....+.r y ene percent, Nom 1: _ View,w, ninete"en percent , and Spring Lake Park, ten percent A regional Senior Center was deemed either a "top priority" or a "major priority" by fifty- one percent of the residents of the four communities. An additional twenty-nine percent called it a "minor priority. " But, only twenty percent were aware of the Regional Senior Center Proposal. When queried about facilities to include, residents pointed to four major components: thirteen percent felt seniors should be able to "eat, recreate, meet and exercise; " eight percent felt it should provide dining opportunities, while a similar number felt it should provide social opportunities; and seven percent thought that medical services should be included. The major programs which should be offered, according to respondents, were meals, social opportunities, transportation, exercise, and counseling. An overwhelming seventy-five percent would support the constiuction of a Regional Senior Center; only fourteen percent opposed it; in fact, twenty-nine percent. would "strongly favor" it. Supporters were motivated by the perceived need for the Center, while opponents did not see a need and worried about already high property taxes. Solid majorities of usually eighty percent or higher supported the inclusion of each proposed facility for inclusion. Eighty-nine percent supported both an arts and crafts room and - a game room. Eighty-eight percent felt similarly toward a kitchen and kitchenette. Eighty-five percent favored an exercise and fitness room, while eighty-four percent were similarly inclined toward a large multi-purpose room for congregate dining and rental opportunities. Eighty-one percent endorsed a small library reading room and lounge. And, seventy-three percent were favorably disposed toward classrooms and meeting rooms. The highest priority, at fifty-seven percent, was assigned to the large multi-purpose congregate dining room; the kitchen and kitchenette ranked second at thirty-two percent. Only one facility registered a moderate degree of opposition, at fourteen percent: a small library reading room and lounge. In general, then, the potential facilities nicely meshed with the perceptions of area residents. This last fact was particularly important, since seventy-nine percent of the sample indicated they were at least "tome-- , e - l - to support the proposal if it contained__the features whey most favored. Seventeen percent of sample reported there were members of their household or nearby relatives who would be "very likely" to use the facility. An additional twenty-five percent indicated family members and nearby relatives were "somewhat likely" to do so. Using standard projection techniques, thirty-two percent of the households in the area contain family members or have nearby relatixes who would use a- well-pubs icized Regional Senior Center. The average resident would be willing to drive 12 . 4 minutes to reach the Regional Senior Center. Most potential users were Locating the center outside of 3r. the 6-15nminute :drive :range. � the city of residence of the user was not a major obstacle: only 2 nine percent of the potential users indicated they would be "much less likely" to use a Center outside of their community. A majority of residents would be be willing to see their property taxes raised up to $11 . 50 per year to fund the construction and operation of the Center. While twenty-one percent were unwilling to pay any additional taxes, a surprisingly large twenty-eight percent expressed a willingness to see their property taxes raised by $20. 00 yearly. The issue of governance proved to be illusive to most residents: one-third supported a special regional district; one -third, local control ; . and one-third expressed no opinion. More discussion about potential governance structures would be required before any consensus could be crystallized. Newspapers were the primary means by which citizens learned about City government and its activities. The "New Brighton Bulletin" and the "Fridley Focus" were mentioned by fifty percent of the sample. General local newspapers were also cited by an additional eleven percent. Cable television was used by twelve percent, while city newsletters were relied upon by nine percent. Cable television reached forty-nine percent of this area, and forty-three percent of the subscribers reported watching their local government channel at least "occasionally. " The optimal means of reaching most residents, then, was through the local newspapers. Seniors: The average age of senior residents was 68 . 5 years old. Almost one-half of the senior population was within the 61-70 year age range. The median residency of older residents in this area was 27 . 3 years, - almost twice as high as the regional norm. Forty-two percent of the seniors moved to one of the four cities- from Minneapolis ; sixteen percent moved from other Northern suburbs. Twelve percent reported moving between the four communities; of this group, the majority had spent nine years in their former community before moving to a neighboring community. Virtually the entire sample of seniors had no intention of moving ging the next ten years, ---zn- fact, only two percent indicated--a - potential move during the next two years. Senior couples and senior singles were equally likely to occur in the sample. Twenty-one percent of the seniors indicated living with a younger adult. School-aged children could be found in only five percent of the senior households, while one percent indicated the presence of pre-schoolers, Fourteen percent of this' sample rented their current- residences. ----Eighty percent of the senior households were retired; the remainder were quite diverse, spread across Owner-Manager, Pir fooa3a :l-Techn`ca , Clerical-Sales, and Blue Collar occupations, Prior to retirement, about thirty-five percent held up-scale White Collar occupations, twenty-seven psr_'cent had Slue Collar occupations, and, twenty-five percent pursued clerical-Sales careers, Women 3 Jan. OE.. 1' +_' 01:24 FM F0c outnumbered men by fourteen percent. Geographically, Fridley senior households were fifty-three percent of the sample, New Brighton, twenty-eight percent, Mounds View, ten percent, and Spring Lake Park, eight percent. A Regional Senior Center was deemed either a "top priority" or a "major priority" by fifty-two percent of the residents of the four communities. An additional twenty--eight percent called it a "minor priority. " Seniors were over twice as likely as the norm to be aware of the proposal: forty-seven percent expressed awareness. When queried about facilites to include, seniors pointed to five major components: dining facilities were mentioned by twelve percent; ten percent felt they should be able to "eat, recreate, meet and exercise; " eight percent felt it should provide card playing and game opportunities; and seven percent thought that crafts and social opportunities should be included. The programs which should be offered, according to seniors, major social opportunities, counseling, meals, and transportation. A decisive sixty-nine percent would support the construction of a Regional Senior Center; in fact, twenty-six y percent would "strongly favor" it. However, twenty-one percent opposed it; Supporters were motivated by the perceived need for the Center, while opponents did not see a need and worried about already high property taxes. MN Solid majorities of usually seventy percent or higher supported the inclusion of each proposed facility for inclusion. Ninety-three percent favored the inclusion of a large multi- purpose room for congregate dining and rental opportunities. Eighty-five percent supported an arts and crafts room. Seventy- eight percent felt similarly toward a game room. Seventy-four percent favored both a kitchen and kitchenette as well as a small library reading room and lounge. Seventy-three percent favored an exercise and fitness room. And, fifty-eight percent were favorably disposed toward classrooms and meeting rooms. The highest priority, at fifty-four percent, was assigned to the large multi-purpose congregate dining room; the kitchen and kitchenette ranked second at thirty-eight percent. Only one facility registered a moderately high degree of opposition, at eighteen percent: classrooms and meeting rooms. In general , then, the potential facilities nicely meshed with the perceptions of senior citizens. As in the case of the residential sample, this last fact was particularly important, since seventy-one percent of the sample indicated they were at least "somewhat more likely" to support the proposal if it contained the features they most favored. Thirty percentof the senior sample reported there were members of their household or nearby relatives who would be "very likely" to use the facility. An additional thirty-eight percent indicated family members and nearby re atnvet were "somewhat atli} eIy" to do sUsing standard proje t on .�h R percent s �-. � -...-.._�_:.tii �_Y'ifl.`Eb jrSa�.�. �vr4i�s s.�_x perce� �. of the senior ` �::_ f 4 members or have nearby relatives who would use a well-publicized Regional Senior Center. • The average senior citizen would be willing to drive 12 . 5 minutes to reach the Regional Senior Center. Most potential users were in the 6-15 minute drive range. Locating the Center outside of the city of residence of the user was not a major obstacle: only eleven percent of the potential users indicated they would be "much less likely" to use a Center outside of their community. A majority of seniors would be willing to see their property taxes raised up to $8. 38 per year to fund the construction and operation of the Center. While thirty-two percent were unwilling to pay any additional taxes, a large twenty-two percent expressed a willingness to see their property taxes raised by $20. 00 yearly. The issue of governance also proved to be • illusive to most seniors: twenty-six percent supported a special regional district; thirty-three percent, local control; and forty expressed no opinion. As in the case of residents as a whole, more discussion about potential governance structures would be required before any consensus among seniors could be crystallized. Newspapers, again, were the primary means by which senior citizens learned about City government and its activities . The "New Brighton Bulletin" and the "Fridley Focus" were mentioned by forty-four percent of the sample. General local newspapers were also cited by an additional sixteen percent.. Cable television was used by twelve percent, while city newsletters were relied upon by ten percent. Cable television reached thirty-nine percent of the senior households, and forty-seven percent of the subscribers reported watching their local government channel at least "occasionally. " The optimal means of reaching most seniors was in the same way- to reach the population as a whole, through the local newspapers. Coned -s-eons There was strong and widespread support for the construction of a Regional Senior Center. In fact, residents as a whole were somewhat more supportive of the concept than seniors; many of the non-seniors expressed their desire "to do something" for their elders. Backing up this commitment was the willingness by majorities to see their property taxes raised by moderate amounts to insure the construction and operation of the facility. loth seniors and non--sen itra viewed the facility in the same way. }+Both groups regarded congregate dining opportunities and a kitch.en and ik- i1.che�neytte as l) key components of any Center Both groups also expressed majority support for each of the currently planned facilities for inclusion. And, moderate drive times and a site outside of their own communities were not major obstacles to most respondents. 5 Relatively large numbers of residents could be expected to use the Regional Senior Center. Forty-six percent of the senior households would be expected to use the facility; and many non- senior households pointed to nearby relatives who they felt would be interested in the facility. • The only issue which does not galvanize a consensus is the appropriate governing structure. Most residents had either unformed or superficially held opinions about either a special regional district or a joint powers agreement. Based on marginal comments, however, a clear majority of both samples want a structure which will insure the continuous efficient operation of the Center once it is built. A Regional Senior Center, then, is an idea whose time has come. Even in this uncertain economy, most residents considered it to be a worthy idea and were willing to underwrite the facility. 6