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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 1991/12/09PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL CTI'Y OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting December 9, 1991 Mounds View City Hall 2401 Hwy. 10, Mounds View, MN 55112 CALL TO ORDER The Mounds View City Council was called to order by Mayor Linke at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, December 9, 1991. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was said. ~LL CALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Councilmembers Wuori, Quick, Blanchard, Rickaby and Mayor Linke. MEMBERS ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: Samantha Orduno, City Administrator, Finance Director, Don Brager, Public Works Director, Ric Minetor, Parks, Recreation and Forestry Director, Mary Saarion, Public Works Foreman, Mike Ulrich and City Attorney, Mark Rarney APPROVAL OF MINUTES: MOTION/SECOND: Rickaby/Quick to approve November 25, 1991 as amended. On Page 9, Paragraph 7, the date for repeal of the sunset clause should be, December 31, 1993. 5 ayes 0 nays Motion Carried SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS: Mayor Linke noted that the Lion's like to make at this time. Mayor yor Phyllis Blanchard and took e presentations. Club had two presentations that they would Linke turned the meeting over to Acting the role of President of the Lions Club for ounds View City Council Page Two ~gular Meeting December 9, 1991 Lion's Club President, Jerry Linke, introduced fellow Lion, Don Hodges, to make the presentations. The first presentation made was a Community Merit Award to Parks, Recreation and Forestry Director, Mary Saarion, for outstanding work beyond her normal duties for the Mounds View residents. Mary Saarion, Director of Parks, Recreation and Forestry was stated she was surprised and elated to be presented with this award. Saarion stated that the City of Mounds View should be honored to have a group like the Lion's. Club in the City. The Lion's Club have been instrumental in donating funds for many of the projects in Mounds View. Saarion cited two examples of the donations the Lion's Club have made; the Silver View Park Shelter and a handicapped bus to help the elderly. President of the Lion's Club, Jerry Linke, then introduced fellow Lion, Ray Long, to make the second presentation. Mr. Long, on behalf of the Lion's Club, presented Acting Mayor Phyllis Blanchard an Infant Annie, which is used in CPR training in the City. Along with the donation of the infant were two adult Annies. The donations will enable the City to offer CPR at a reduced rate to the citizens because the City will no longer have to rent the equipment. Long stated that the Police Department uses the equipment to recertify their officers. The Boy Scouts also use this equipment to recertify the Boy Scouts. behalf of the City Council, Staff and residents, Acting Mayor Phyllis Blanchard thanked the Lion's Club for this donation. Acting Mayor Blanchard commented that the Lion's Club do so many things for the City. Councilmember Rickaby commented that she had taken the CPR course from Mr. Long and he was a very good instructor. Lion's Club President, Linke, introduced Margie Baker and Sally Heurung, two teachers who teach the learning. disabled at Pinewood School. Ms. Baker and Ms. Heurung explained the taping program that they had begun so that children with handicaps can listen to the taped lessons because they have difficulty in reading. This program was started without money and thanks to a donation from the Lion's Club, the project is being finished. RESIDENTS REQUESTS AND COMMENTS FROM THE FLOOR There were no residents requests or comments. RESIDENTS REQUESTS AND COMMENTS FROM THE FLOOR: There were no residents requests or comments. PUBLIC HEARINGS: Mayor Linke opened the Public Hearing on the 1992 Proposed Budget and operty Tax Levy at 7:17 p.m. Samantha Orduno, City Administrator, livered a brief presentation on the 1992 Proposed Budget. The Mounds View ~ty Council Page Three qular Meeting December 9, 1991 presentation centered around what is a budget, the budget process, and what tax impacts the budget will have on the citizens of Mounds View's property taxes. Samantha Orduno, City Administrator, introduced Finance Director, Don Brager, to give his portion of the budget presentation. Brager stated that in the past, he used to present the budget with overhead transparencies and this year he has put together a budget video instead. The 1992 budget is 1.2~ less than the 199. budget. The City's portion of the increase in property. taxes is 39~. Mr. Brager pointed out that the City receives $.17 out of the tax dollar from which to provide City services. This averages out to be approximately $195.00 per household for services provided to them by the City. Mayor Linke thanked Finance Director Brager for the presentation of the budget video. Mayor Linke stated that the money to produce the video was not taken out of City funds, but provided through franchise fees from the cable company. Jerry Skelly and those who work with him in the cable television area of the Park and Recreation Department produced the video. Carla Asleson, Planning Intern narrated the video and Samantha Orduno, City Administrator, and the Department Head team reviewed and edited the script. yor Linke noted that Senator Steve Novak was also in attendance at the aring. Don Brager, Finance Director, reviewed overhead transparencies regarding the budget. The transparencies involved the 1992 expenses from the general fund as well as the 1992 revenues that make up the general fund.. Brager also stated that the City had lost $83,000 in state aids and the City Council had to make severe cuts in order to balance the budget. $74,000 had to be taken from reserves (cash flow) to balance the budget. Mayor Linke clarified the point that the $74,000 is not really reserves, but it is cash flow that the City lives on from January until July when the City receives tax money from the County. Linke stated that removing this amount of money from the reserves (cash flow) has reduced the cash flow by 2.8$. Mayor Linke indicated that severe cuts had been made to the 1992 budget including the elimination of Spring Clean Up Day, subsidy for Northwest Youth and Family Services, Staff Reductions - another police officer, Building Inspector cut to 1/2 time, elimination of the Forestry Assistant, the Planning Intern, and the salaries of the Athletic Supervisor and Senior Coordinator will be taken out of the Recreation Activity Fund. Staff training was reduced as well as reductions in funds to Lakeside park. Trees and shrubs plantings were cut, four ice rinks were closed this winter, subsidized summer programs were eliminated and the operating supply budget was reduced by $25,000 to $30,000. ~yor Linke gave the following list of state mandates that will affect or ve affected the City: presidential primary, new fire inspections, ounds View City Council Page Four ~gular Meeting December 9, 1991 comparable worth, new bookkeeping and reporting, American Disability Act which could cost the City $15,000 to $20,000 for City Hall, affirmative action plan, HazMat, drinking water standards, superfund litigation and excise tax on city vehicles. Mayor Linke stated the state budget deficit in 1992 will be approximately $2 million. That will mean the City will have to make further budget cuts in 1992. Mayor Linke stated this year the City "cut off the fingers and hands, off the body of City government. Next they will move to the elbows and shoulders." Mike Calvary, 2841 Highway 10, representing Steve's Appliances, stated that their business received an increase of 51~ in their property taxes. Mr. Calvary stated that businesses are receiving a decline in their revenues and was wondering if the City could cut a little further into their budget so the property taxes for the business would not be so high. Mayor Linke stated he understood what the businesses were feeling as far as reduced revenues and increases in property tax. Mr. Calvary further stated that his business has had to reduce employees and e still loosing money but he feels that business does contribute to the ~ality of life in Mounds View. Mayor Linke stated that there is a higher tax rate for businesses. Mr. Jim Carter, 7660 Greenfield Avenue, stated his property taxes went up 33~ and stated his house was in the $75,000 to $100,000 range. Mr. Carter stated that his Ramsey County portion went down 2.5~ and the City's portion went up 33~. Mayor Linke stated that the property taxes on an average home went up 38~. Mayor Linke stated that the City is doing what they can to cut down. The City*Council is only raising the City portion by $.17. One thing that causes a raise in taxes was the fire bond referendum. Mr. Carter stated that the state is taking money from one pocket and the federal government from his other pocket and he only has four pockets in his pants. Mayor Linke stated that the reason the state representatives were invited to this budget hearing was to hear the concerns from the residents. The City is losing a lot of money because of state mandates. The City of Mounds View raised the property taxes to provide a balanced budget. $25.00 of the raise is a result a voter approved fire bond referendum. Mayor Linke stated that his property taxes went up 40$ but the value of his home went down by 2~. ~e City had to cut services in order to provide money for state mandates. ounds View City Council Page Five gular Meeting December 9, 1991 Mr. Carter stated that next year his taxes may go up 68$. He further stated that it was better than a sharp stick in the face or being told that you don't have a job next year. Mayor Linke stated that the raise in taxes will be even greater next year. The City will need to raise the taxes to provide services at a reasonable level. Mr. Carter stated that maybe next year there should be no services. Mr. Carter noted that the police department has a new 4 wheel drive police car. Mayor Linke corrected him by saying that the police car was bought used. Mr. Carter also stated that the City had a new police car similar to those new cars in other cities. Mayor Linke explained the process of how police cars are purchased through the .state that one and one-half police cars are budgeted every year. The police drive them for two years, then they become staff cars and eventually are sold. Mr. Bill Werner, Jr., 2442 Sherwood Road, stated that the City has a 2.8 million dollar proposed budget. How much in services would have to be cut so that homeowners taxes would not go up? ~yor Linke stated that if the City did nothing taxes it would still go up. Mr. Don Brager stated that in dollars it would be approximately $210,000. Bill Werner, Jr., 2442 Sherwood Road, asked how much per person is being .paid into system? If cut by 10~ we might see property taxes stay about where they were from 1991. Mayor Linke stated that in 1990 the residents voted in the fire bond referendum which is $25 per home on an average home and stated that-the City should not reduce other City services to pay for this referendum. Mr. Werner, Jr., concluded that the City Council should provide residents of Mounds View the budget hearing information so there is no foregone conclusion. Taxpayers are concerned about the increase. Council needs to give public an input into the procedure. Mr. Werner asked of Mayor Linke and Councilmember Rickaby where they would make additional cuts. Mayor Linke responded that he didn't know where additional cuts could be made. He would have to very carefully consider what the spiraling effect would be. Mayor Linke stated that all meetings are open to the public. The Council worked on the budget all year. Mayor Linke stated the City Council is talking about a survey to the residents asking them want services they want keep and what services they need to keep. ounds View City Council Page Six gular Meeting December 9,.1991 Councilmember Rickaby stated that early in the process she agreed strongly on citizen input. She had proposed that cuts be made with a paring knife not a butcher knife. When she had proposed cuts, the response was that it isn't going to save that much money, so it wasn't considered. She felt that all that was considered was biq amounts. There had been a proposal to eliminate the Engineer's position because, for the most part, the City uses SEH. She stated that there had been three Councilmembers who were very supportive of that, however, several staff members had said other people would have to be hired to make up for a lot of the duties that the City Engineer does and that wouldn't save enough money. Orduno noted that elimination of the Engineer's position would result in only a $17,000 reduction to the General Fund. Mayor Linke stated that all items were considered. The Council had to look at cutting $130,000 out of the budget. The $17,000 of the engineer's salary comes from the general fund and the rest of the engineer's salary from the water and sewer budget. Councilmember Rickaby stated that one of the budget meetings was not so open to the people. It was the meeting that was held at the Public Works Garage and people couldn't have gotten there unless they had a four wheel drive r. amantha Orduno, City Administrator, stated that all rooms in City Hall were being used and notices were published and posted regarding the meeting at the Public Works Garage. Councilmember Rickaby also commented that there had been a big push for Street Light Utility in order to bring back some of the items that had been cut. Councilmember Rickaby stated that she was against bringing back anything that had been cut. Rickaby felt that the City would have to bite the bullet and get down to a bare bones level. William Werner, Sr., 2765 Sherwood Road, asked how the Council would do it next year. According to what has been said about the cuts the Council will have to make to the "body of the City government", "will it cut to the knees next year?" Mayor Linke responded that the Council would have to find some way to deal with the cuts. Mayor Linke asked Mr. Werner, Sr., if he had questions with regard to the budget and Mr. Werner responded that he had a philosophical point to make to the Council and the public. Mayor Linke asked Mr. Werner to wait until further questions had been answered and he would then get back to him. Greg Johnson, 2865 Highway 10, and began talking about how the City could ~llect more money if they rezoned properties from RO to B3. unds View City Council egular Meeting Page Seven December 9, 1991 Mayor Linke asked Mr. Johnson if he had any questions regarding the budget itself. Mr. Johnson continued to discuss zoning and Mayor Linke advised him that this was a budget hearing and not a zoning hearing and that the Court had told the Council how to rezone Mr. Johnson's property. Mr. Johnson became very angry and stormed out of the Council Chambers. Lloyd Bardwell, 2932 County Road J, stated that with the percentage of employees up, is the Police Department carrying its own or is it subsidized by the taxpayers or revenues from fines? Mayor Linke responded that the general tax dollar pays for that department. The department collects only one-half of the amount of revenue that fines provide, that is why the city started the Administrative Offense Program because 100 of that revenue comes to the City. Mr. Bardwell stated that the Police Department is not aggressive enough. Mayor Linke stated that he agreed that some were and some weren't. .,. H..~ Mr. Fred Abuzzahab, co-owner of 2657 and 2665 Highway 10, stated that he doesn't mind paying taxes if the property makes a profit. Mr. Abuzzahab tated that he is very proud of Mounds View. Mr. Abuzzahab further stated ~at most of his tenants are on welfare, therefore, he cannot raise fees to those persons. Could the property taxes being raised gradually so that rental units don't get the bite? Mayor Linke stated some of the City departments took as much of a bite as 32~. Ed Trettel, 7401 Park View Drive, stated that his taxes went up 71.9. Mr. Trettel stated that he-built a deck onto his home this past summer and that it increased his property value by 10~. Mr. Trettel stated that he has to live on a budget ,and has a family to raise. Mr. Trettel stated that he works hard to keep up his home and he gets socked for it. Mr. Trettel announced to the Council that he is not personally adverse to cuts in services. Mr. Trettel stated he is for less government, less taxes and less services and stated he must be paying someone else's share at this rate. Mayor Linke stated that the addition of a deck shouldn't increase the value of his house and raise his taxes that amount. Mayor Linke advised Mr. Trettel to contact Ramsey County and find out what happened as this amount could be an error. Mr. Trettel stated that Mounds View should choose to do with less services and more efficient work. Mr. Chuck Graham, non-owner occupant in Mounds View, stated that the four- ~ex valued at $121,000 had a tax increase of $578 which is an 11.6$ crease. Mounds View City Council Page Eight ~gular Meeting December 9, 1991 Mayor Linke stated that money goes to the state and they set values for commercial property. Representatives from the state are in the audience and questions should be addressed to them.. Mr. Graham stated that $115 out of their rent per month or 30~ of their rent is going for taxes. The City is receiving $939 out of $5,555. Mr. Graham stated that the increases are taxation without representation. Ray Ohlenkamp, 7809 Long Lake Road, stated he did not like the tax situation. Mr. Ohlenkamp realized the cuts are everywhere and that Mounds View has not been singled out by the state to be cut. Doesn't the Mayor have a response to the legislature regarding these cuts to the city? The Mayor should pass on the message that the taxpayers are tired of this. Perhaps the real problem is the state and people are encouraging the state to be sloppy with the public's tax dollar. Mayor .Linke stated that he has had his differences with the state. When asked if there is anything we can do to the state his answer was that the City has responded with several resolutions not supporting state mandates. Mayor Linke stated the one message that the state has to hear is that the City does not want any more mandates. What seems to happen is that the state budgets from July to July and in July if projections look bad for the ~tate they come after the City's budget. Roger Stigney, 8400 Eastwood Road, stated that he is retired and lives on a fixed income. Mr. Stigney stated the administration salaries are too high. The Council needs to cut all the fat from the budget. Mr. Stigney feels that the Council should appoint a task force to come in and help cut the budget. Mr. Stigney stated that if such a task force were formed he would be happy to serve. Laurie Schley, 8423 Knollwood Drive, stated that with regards to the pie chart that Mr. Brager presented regarding expenses, she was not comfortable with 26.2~k going towards general government. She further stated that there is more money going towards general government than towards public works. Ms. Schley stated that she is on a softball team in Mounds View and she would gladly pay $50 more if Mounds View would get umpires that knew the rules. Ms. Schley stated that Mounds View perhaps should check into the level of service that they are paying for. Mayor Linke stated that softball registration fees will be going up. Laurie Schley stated that perhaps Mounds View would save money if they contracted out some of the services such as snowplowing. Ric Minetor, Public Works Director, stated that in the past Mounds View shared services with Ramsey County. Minetor stated that Mounds View found that doing their own street sweeping was cheaper. Mounds View used to ntract snowplowing with Ramsey County and found that the City could do it ~ieaper and more efficiently than when contracting with Ramsey County. Mounds View City Council ~gular Meeting Page Nine December 9, 1991 There are some services that the City cannot do as efficiently and cost effectively such as sealcoaitng. Minetor stated that during the budget .process, each item is gone through extensively to find the most cost effective way of providing the best service. Minetor .stated that is why squad cars are replaced on a regular basis when mileage gets high it increases down time and costa Orduno stated the city also has looked at a cheaper way of purchasing operating supplies and paper. Orduno further stated that the City had reevaluated their custodial contract looking for the best possible service at the lowest possible cost and found that Mounds View is getting a good deal. Senator Novak thanked the City Council of Mounds View for inviting him to the meeting. Senator Novak stated that he is Mounds View's representative. Senator Novak stated that he did not vote for the 1991 tax bill that passed. Senator Novak further stated that just as the City of Mounds View received an $83,000 cut in state aid this year, the relationship between state and cities been like a roller coaster. Two years ago, in 1989, Senator Novak remembers being in the Council Chambers discussing the fact that Mounds View had a 60~s increase in state aid. The state has had budget problems ich has been a result of the Federal Government. he state's budget is heavily dependent upon sales tax. The state does its budget every two years. 12~ of their revenue is used for benefits and salaries and the rest to provide funds to counties, cities and school districts. Mounds View's state aid is now back to where it was in 1988. The state does set the tax rates. Senator Novak referred to an overhead which Finance Director Brager showed during his presentation that referred to property values and property tax increases. Senator Novak stated that the dollar figure missing that was in regards to the actual property tax on the property. What is the total taxes being paid? Novak's guess was between 1 and 1 1/4~ on a $50,000 home. Major "benefits" of the 1991 tax bill was to make three rate structures. Senator Novak stated that the state raised the sales tax to create a new structure for state aid. Novak understands the city's objection to the number of mandates imposed on the City by the state. Novak further stated that the state does not want to impose mandates on the cities without giving them the funds to complete them, however, the state's rhetoric is better than performance. Senator Novak stated that he doubts anyone objected to the comparable worth policy. This is a mandate where the pay for women is given at the same value as-for men. Mr. Werner, Sr., asked if the three tier compared to two tier simplifies things and how it would simplify things for him. nator Novak stated the tax system is only in place for the taxpayer. her taxes on property listed under "other" are the Mosquito Control, Mounds View City Council Page Ten ~gular Meeting December 9, 1991 Metropolitan Council and Metropolitan Transit. Senator Novak pointed out that everyone lives in a school district, county and city and these jurisdictions have the right under the law to levy taxes. Naja Werner, 2765 Sherwood Road, stated that houses with lower market values will pay more taxes. Higher priced houses are paying lower taxes. Ms. Werner asked if we were taking from the poor to give to the rich. Representative Linda Runbeck stated that on a $50,000 house at 1~ the tax would be $500 per year versus the taxes on a house that was valued at $150,000 with taxes at $2800. Runbeck stated that both properties would receive the same services. John Wilczek, 5556 St. Stephens Street, asked Senator Novak where he lived and what his taxes were. Senator Novak stated that the values in his area did not go up. The cities share of taxes in New Brighton increased by $12. Samantha Orduno, City Administrator, responded that the City of New Brighton did not have a fire bond referendum and the market values did not go down. L. W. Stigney, 7840 Eastwood Drive, stated that services should not be cut d the taxes raised. Mr. Stigney wanted to know what would save the ~sidents of Mounds View next year. Mr. Stigney stated that a survey asking he residents what services should be cut should go out in early 1992. Mr. Stigney stated that too many ti.unes the decision is made before the issue is brought to the public. Mr. Stigney stated that administration should take over some of the services. Mr. Stigney stated that he thought paying $500 for a senior survey was not being cost effective. Mayor Linke stated that for the area of the City and the population, the City has 50~ fewer staff than other cities of the same size and population. Employees in this city handle more items than those in other cities because of less staff. Charles Miller, 2408 Laport, asked if the budget meetings were posted and also where he could call to get a schedule of the meetings and work sessions for each month. Mayor Linke stated that the council meetings are held every 2nd and 4th Monday of each month, work sessions the first Monday of each month and that all meetings of the Council are open to the public unless they are discussing legal matters. Councilmember Rickaby stated that the budget planning sessions were not on the schedule and that each person would have to be notified. ~yor Linke stated notices were posted and the meetings were published. ounds View City Council Page Eleven ~gular Meeting December 9, 1991 Councilmember Rickaby further stated that if a person were to come to all scheduled meetings they might not get into any budget discussions. Councilmember Wuori stated that the budget meetings are set at the Council's regular meetings. Charles Miller asked how often he should be checking to see when these meetings are going to be held. Mr. Miller further asked where he could get the real numbers for the budget cuts. Orduno responded that Mr. Miller should call City Hall and that for the budget numbers he should come into City Hall. Mr. Miller asked if it were too late or is it possible for anyone to make a difference regarding this budget. Mayor Linke stated there is a state law that says the Council could extend the public hearing to the 18th but the property taxes have to be levied during the hearing process. Tonight's meeting is more of an informational hearing. Mr. Miller stated he would be smarter next year and more educated on the process next time. ~. Werner, Sr., stated that the City employed 38 full time employees and proceeded to give the titles and salaries of all employees that work for the City. Mr. Werner, Sr., indicated that this was information for the public. A question was asked regarding the salary of the Fire Chief by an unidentified member of the audience. Mayor Linke stated that the Fire Department is a private corporation and that this is the first year that the City of Mounds View has received a copy of a line item budget for the Fire Department. This same individual asked why there was a bond for fire protection. Mayor Linke responded that in the past the equipment and building was the Fire Department's, now it belongs to the City and the City now only contracts for labor. William Werner, Sr., suggested a survey be conducted to find out what the people want instead of building the bureaucracy. People want to make decisions as to what services they need and what they don't need. Mayor Linke stated that Mr. Werner was accurate on the salaries of the employees of the City. These numbers will only be good until the end of the month at which time comparable worth salaries take effect. Simply stating the numbers does not give all the facts. Most employees have been with the City for over 10 years. For instance, the Police Department has only three employees under 12 years of service with the City. Orduno was the latest hire, there hasn't been anyone hired previous to her. duno stated that the City has to comply with the comparable worth law no ter than December 31, 1991. The City must eliminate sex based disparities ounds View City Council ~gular Meeting Page Twelve December 9, 1991 among workers. Longevity is not included. This mandate is costing cities money at a time when there is not a lot of money to go around. Orduno stated that pay equity is a state mandate. Mr. Werner, Sr., asked if this is put into effect is it possible to bring the females up and the males down? Mayor Linke stated the. City is doing just that. Naja Werner, stated that as far as the present staff, the total salaries could be cut by combining personnel. Mike Calvary, 2841 Highway 10, asked the Council not to pass the budget as it is . Mr. Calvary lives in White Bear Lake and his property taxes have gone down. Mr. Stigney asked if the Council would solicit any citizen input as to how to cut and combine salaries being that the Council has two weeks to approve this budget. William Werner, Jr., 2442 Sherwood Road stated that for practical purposes, it has been decided to approve the budget, but as a gesture of good will ke more cuts. Survey the citizens of Mounds View and let them make a ~cision as to what services they want and what services they can do without. Mr. Werner, Jr., also sent a message to the state advising them to stop playing games and stop the finger pointing to the other jurisdictions. Mr. Werner suggested to the county and school districts to look at some cuts just as Mayor Linke has to do. Ramsey County Commissioner McCarty had two points to make. If the City would cut the $17,000 in the general fund for the City Engineer's position and lay him off, there would still be the cost of workers compensation and other benefits. In past dealings with subcontractors, the City had a bad experience which could have cost them four times what the Engineer cost today. McCarty stated that the County lost $6.1 in income maintenance that was taken away by the state. This is spent for programs such as child abuse. McCarty stated that as far as mandates by the state, the county is also being hit. There is a state mandate that requires the County's books to be audit by the state auditor that costs one quarter of a million dollars when the County could put out an RFP and get a better audit and pay less money. Brad Jahnke, 8408 Eastwood Road, asked why the decision could not be put off two more weeks. Mayor Linke stated that he believed all cuts that could be made have been made and there was no where else to cut. Mayor Linke further stated that delaying wouldn't change anything for this budget. • ounds View City Council Page Thirteen ~egular Meeting December 9, 1991 Mr. Jahnke suggested that maybe the grass wouldn't have to be mowed so often in the parks. Perhaps people who live close to the parks could help out by cutting some of the parka Why not form a committee and have them look into it? Mr. Jahnke suggested that the City may cut down on spending and have a better job done if they subcontracted out some of the work. Mr. Jahnke stated that the subcontracted people put the City workers to shame when it comes to water and sewer repair. Ric Minetor, Director of Public Works, stated that subcontractors do not respond quickly enough. Private contractors would take 4 months to work on the sewer repair. Minetor stated that if Mr. Jahnke would come out and watch the City workers, he would see that it would be hard to say public contractors are better. Mayor Linke asked if there were any further questions and thanked everyone for attending. the meeting. Linke stated he only had to gavel down one person and that person is complaining every time he turns around about his property. The judge in a previous suit told the City how to rezone him and he doesn't like that answer. Linke apologized to everyone for Mr. Johnson's outbursts. Mayor Linke closed the public hearing at 10:32 p.m. ayor Linke introduced Resolution No. 4146 Adopting the 1992 City Operating ~udget and entertained a motion for the Council to approve, table or deny this resolution. Councilmember Quick, noted that when he came to Mounds View, the Council job was to improve streets, pump water, and improve pumps. He also stated that the City runs a lean, mean ship. If this Council is not doing the job the public wants done, vote them out. The Council is doing the best possible job it cah and has brought services up to a quality level. During the snowstorm the residents were able to get to work in the morning. He suggested people equate the amount of service they have and what they will loose if they miss work. He noted that he would lose in one day ten times what he would have to pay in taxes. If we don't have a small fund of money to keep our city operating from January to July, we would have to borrow money which would cost us more and we loose what interest we have on the money we have." Councilmember Blanchard stated that the Council worked on this budget for a year and that a two week delay would not make any difference at this time. Council asked the staff for a bleeding budget and they brought one, the Council sent them back and told them to bring back a budget that now is down to the bone. Postponing the adoption of the budget two weeks won't find enough to make a significant difference. If the residents want to have an ad hoc committee to get together to bring the Council some ideas for next budget everyone on Council would be happy to listen to them. Councilmember Rickaby stated that she agreed with Councilmember Blanchard at two weeks is not going to do any good because, "I think this budget is etty much bare bones." She noted that the only thing that she would have ounds View City Council Page Fourteen gular Meeting December 9, 1991 considered would have been the Engineering position, but as Mr. McCarty said it requires more consideration. She stated that she thought it could be considered at a future time. Councilmember Wuori stated that she was very happy to see the turn out in response to the notices far the hearing and asked the public for help in the next year for the 1993 Budget. Join or help form a committee. You are the grassroots. What services do you value more?" Samantha Orduno stated that this is the first year working on the budget for Mounds View and the first budget hearing she had been a participant for Mounds View. Orduno felt the quality of the questions were excellent. It was rewarding to see that the representatives and senator for Mounds View were here. This is not done in other cities. MOTION/SECOND: Quick/Wuori to adopt Resolution No. 4146 Adopting the 1992 City Operating Budget 5 ayes 0 nays Motion Carried Mayor Linke introduced Resolution No. 4147 Certifying the 1992 General Fund Property Tax Levy MOTION/SECOND: Wuori/Quick to approve Resolution No. 4147 Certifying the 1992 General Fund Property Tax Levy 5 ayes 0 nays Motion Carried Mayor Linke introduced Resolution No. 4148 Certifying the 1992 Bonds and Interest Levy MOTIONISECOND: Blanchard/ Rickaby to adopt Resolution No. 4148 Certifying the 1992 Bonds and Interest Levy 5 ayes 0 nays Motion Carried Mayor Linke introduced Resolution No. 4149 Authorizing Issuance of An Equipment Debt Certificate Prescribing the Form and Details Thereof, and Levying Taxes for the Payment Thereof MOTION/SECOND: Quick/Blanchard to adopt Resolution No. 4149 Authorizing Issuance of An Equipment Debt Certificate Prescribing the Form and Details Thereof, and Levying Taxes for the Payment Thereof 5 ayes 0 nays Motion Carried CONSENT AGENDA: Samantha Orduno, City Administrator, read the Consent Agenda. Orduno noted ~at there was an addition of a Garbage Hauler, Wasteco, Inc., to the list licenses .for approval. ounds View City Council ~gular Meeting Page Fifteen December 9, 1991 MOTION SECOND: Blanchard Wuori to approve Consent Agenda with the addition of Wasteco, Inc. 5 ayes 0 nays Motion Carried COUNCIL BUSINESS: 1. Samantha Orduno, City Administrator, introduced Staff Report No. 91-123C regarding the Optech III Election Equipment Maintenance Agreement. This is a two year agreement that would provide for preventive maintenance inspections of our Optech III election equipment. MOTION/SECOND: Wuori/Blanchard to Authorize a Two Year Maintenance Agreement with Business Records Corporation for Maintenance of the Optech III Election Equipment at a Cost of $2600 5 ayes 0 nays Motion Carried REFORT OF COUNCILMEMBERS: Councilmember Blanchard: Councilmember Blanchard had no report but reminded everyone that the City of Mounds View has a food shelf and encouraged residents to bring in donations. Councilmember Rickaby: Rickaby stated that she had asked to have this item put on the Agenda, but it had not been put on so she was bringing it up now. She stated she had some concerns about the policy for snowplowing. The particular incident that prompted her to bring this up was that she was still not sure why plowing was done the way it was done last. Tuesday. She noted that from discussions she had with the Director of Public Works that there is a policy of plowing streets at least once or twice two ways: The .first attempt is to clear the snow and the next plow day brushes the snow bank to get a full width. She agreed with these steps and felt that the City had done a great job with the last snowstorm and she had conveyed that feeling to Mike Ulrich. She told him that they had done a great job, but if they had come one more time, I might have been out there with my gun". Councilmember Rickaby stated that in the past, she has been very frustrated when they plow a person in one more time beyond what's necessary. She noted that last Tuesday, in fact Monday night at the work session, she questioned whether or not there were any problems with mail boxes because she had not received her mail. Tuesday she had went out and once again shoveled in front of her mail box to make sure that it was shoveled out enough so that she could get mail delivery. She noted that her neighbors had shoveled out the fire hydrant and • thought it was good that her neighbors were taking turns shoveling out the hydrant. Mounds View City Council Page Sixteen ~gular Meeting December 9, 1991 She further noted that she came home Tuesday night and the snowplow had come, but she did not think there had been two inches of snow. She noted that the Twin Cities were reported as having 1.9 inches. She understood from the Public Works Director that the City has different reports other than the Twin City report and perhaps there was in fact two inches of snow. The copy of the policy states that plowing is done when there is two inches of .snow and still snowing. She thought the most important thing is that it should be still snowing. She did not know whether the purpose of plowing. was because there had been enough new snow or they were trying to push back the snow banks. She was no longer able to reach her mail box and felt that the postal carrier had a great deal of trouble getting to the mail boxes the next day and noted that it was clear the day before. She stated that she was not able to get into her driveway and had to leave her car in the street. She had called Mayor Linke at 10:00 p.m. that evening. It was below zero at that time and there was no way she felt she was going to clear her car out at that time of night. She felt that by plowing so often this gives people a disincentive to shovel out the mailboxes and clear out the fire hydrants. There has to be a way to determine when the City is done plowing and she felt that, time would be when they have gone full width. Mayor Linke asked Councilmember Rickaby if she wanted to bring this up at the next work session for Council discussion and change the policy away from the two inches to something else. Councilmember Rickaby stated that the policy should be-more clear. Rickaby stated that she was not certain that there was two inches of snow for one thing. She noted that if the purpose was to brush back snow for mail service, then plowing didn't accomplish that purpose and needs some review of what is being doe and what it is accomplishing. Councilmember Rickaby called Mayor Linke at 10:00 p.m. that evening. It was below zero that night and it warmed up the next day and snowed and she shoveled then. By plowing so often, this gives people a disincentive to shovel out the mailboxes and clear out fire hydrants when we can say the City is done when they have gone full width. Mike Ulrich, Public Works Foreman., responded to Councilmember Rickaby in the following, way. Ulrich stated that Tuesday it started snowing and was forecasted to stop by noon. The plows began plowing so they could get the snow off the roads during regular hours instead of overtime and wouldn't have to use chemicals. Mike Ulrich commented that the plows have not stopped plowing since the October 31st snowstorm. Ulrich stated that the banks are 6 to 7 feet high and when the plow begins to push back the bank which is 4 feet in front of the mailbox snow falls in front of the mailboxes. The plows automatically pull out for mailboxes and driveways and this loosens . some of the snow on the bank and it also will fall or the snow is discharged as the plow pulls out to swing around the mailbox. The Mounds View City Council Page Seventeen ~gular Meeting December 9, 1991 reason the banks are brushed back is to make more storage room on the road for snow. Mike Ulrich further stated that the crews were winging back the banks and that most of the workers were used to plowing on the streets rather than on the snowbanks so some minor problems occurred. It is physically impossible to throw 20" of snow over 20" of snow. Councilmember Rickaby has had some complaints from some of her neighbors. Councilmember Quick got home Tuesday about 11:00 and start shoveling. Plow had pushed a lot of snow off the road. Quick cut out his mailbox and but had the same situation as Halloween snowstorm. Quick hired a private contractor to push his snowbanks back. This is an abnormal amount of snow. Councilmember Wuori stated that very few hydrants have been cleared. She asked to print an article in the newsletter about residents shoveling out the hydrants or taking turns shoveling them out with a neighbor. Only about 10$ of those in the City are shoveled out. Our houses are at risk. Shoveling out the hydrants would be one more thing the City doesn't have to pay for. Councilmember Quick stated that the City budgeted and bought plowing equipment slowly and now the City does the plowing cheaper and better. REPORT OF STAFF: Ric Minetor, Director of Public Works, brought up the fact that Quincy sidewalk is covered with snow. The snow cannot physically be moved. This is a 6 foot snowblower that will fit on our tractor and hopefully will blow snow into our trucks. With Council approval, the. City will demo this equipment for one week. If it does a good job, and the City wishes to purchase it, the $300 monthly rental would go towards the purchase price of $1400. Minetor stated last spring aerial photos that were taken of the City were put on the County contract rather than the City's, therefore, this saved the City some money. The proposal would be to use a portion of the $7300 to purchase the snowblower. In addition, $1,000 for dump truck rental. The City would have to use 4 trucks to keep the blower busy. Mike Ulrich, Public Works Foreman stated that Greenfield Park was one area suggested to put the snow. Mary Saarion, Parks, Recreation and Forestry Director, stated that the melt down may make .cause a problem on the parking lot. It was clarified that it would be placed at Greenfield Park that comes up to Greenfield and Quincy.. Councilmember Quick suggested Oakwood be used. Mike Ulrich stated Oakwood has new grass. ounds View City Council ~gular Meeting Page Eighteen December 9, 1991 Councilmember Wuori suggested checking with Everest to see if it can be put in the Loose Ends parking lot. It has been noted,. by Councilmember Wuori, that semi trucks have been parking there. Mayor Linke stated it is a used piece of equipment. Ulrich stated it .had belonged to Ramsey County and not been used for 5 years. Councilmember Wuori asked if there were a lot of chemicals in the snow that would be dumped at Greenfield Park. Councilmember Quick noted that the sidewalks were not open Hillview to H2. Sidewalks needed to be done yet were along I, Highway ZO to Silver Lake Road on I and Mounds View Drive not done. Minetor stated that the $7300 won't be available in one month as a new budget will then be in effect. MOTION/SECOND: Rickaby/Wuori to approve the Purchase of a Snowblower to Clear Sidewalks in Mounds View Contingent Upon the .Ability of the Equipment to Perform the Job Efficiently 5 ayes 0 nays.. Motion Carried PORT OF CITY ATTORNEY: Mark Barney, City Attorney, had mentioned to the Council some time ago that there may be an increase in the prosecution budget of $5,000 because of the requirement regarding domestic abuse being handled on an expedited basis. Barney stated that prosecution costs may go down as there has been less prosecutions. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business before the Council, Mayor Linke adjourned the meeting at 11:27 p.m. Respectfully submitted Michele Severson •