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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC MINUTES 10092001 Meeting Sheet IIIIIIVIIIVIIIVIIIVIIIVIIIIIIIIIII 106196 Box: 36 Folder: CC MINUTES AND AGENDAS 2001 Document: CC MINUTES 10092001 CITY OF ST. ANTHONY CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION 3 October 9, 2001 4 7:00 p.m. 5 I. CALL TO ORDER. 6 Mayor Cavanaugh called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 7 II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. 8 Mayor Cavanaugh invited the Council and the audience to join in the Pledge of Allegiance. 9 III. ROLL CALL. 10 Councilmembers present: Mayor Cavanaugh; Councilmembers Sparks, Thuesen, Horst and 11 Hodson. 12 Absent: None. 13 Also present: City Manager Mike Mornson. 14 IV. COMMUNITY FORUM. 15 Mayor Cavanaugh invited residents to address the Council on items that are not on the regular 16 agenda. WHearing no response, Mayor Cavanaugh moved forward with the agenda. 18 V. ACTION ITEMS. 19 Motion by Councilmember Sparks to approve the City Council Study Session Consent Agenda 20 for October 9, 2001. Said Consent Agenda consisted of: 21 A. Consent A enda. 22 Licenses/Permits; and 23 Claims. 24 Motion carried unanimously. 25 B. Ordinance 2001-003, re: Water rates (I"readina). 26 Mornson indicated that they had reviewed the water rates for the year, and indicated that a three- 27 cent water increase would be necessary. He also indicated that it was determined that a six cent 28 sewer increase was necessary. Mornson added the total increase would amount to an annual 29 increase of ten dollars and eight cents on an average sewer/water user. 30 Mornson added that an ordinance was set in place in 1998 that allows for changes in the sewer 31 rates without amending the ordinance and does not require any action by the Council. 32 Mornson indicated that Finance Director Roger Larson recommended the increase. 4 City Council Meeting Minutes October 9,2001 Page 2 Motion by Councilmember Thuesen to approve the first reading of Ordinance 2001-003, re: Water rates. 3 Motion carried unanimously. 4 C. Planning Commission Items-August 21, 2001 meeting 5 1. Resolution 01-081, re: Wirth Companies, request lot split for Lot 1, Block 1, 6 Beutz Addition. 7 David Lutz, of Wirth Companies, explained that the proposed lot split had been approved 8 by the Council back on June 23, 1998, but the applicant did not follow-up with a final 9 plat. He added that a dispute arose between his client and the other property owner 10 which was why the split was never completed. 11 Mr. Lutz indicated that following litigation, the two parties have come to settlement, and 12 part of the settlement was that the purchaser of the property would be deeding back a 13 portion of the parcel. He added that it was necessary to get the project re-approved by 14 the Council, which was why he was there. 15 Councilmember Sparks requested that Mr. Lutz review the map of the area for the 16 Council. 17 Mr. Lutz indicated that his client owns Lot 2, which is vacant land, and that attaining Lot 18 1 would help with the development of the lot. He added that there was a provision in the zoning regulations that all lots must abut by their full frontage on a public street which, under the proposed lot split, would happen. 21 Mr. Lutz added that the lot split would create more square footage which would allow for 22 a building to be built, as well as put them in compliance with the parking requirements. 23 Mayor Cavanaugh asked who would have more parking. Mr. Lutz indicated that 24 Mr. Lutz responded the vacant lot would have more parking. 25 Councilmember Horst clarified what Mr. Lutz was proposing. 26 Councilmember Sparks asked if there were any plans to develop the property. Mr. Lutz 27 responded that there were none at this time. 28 Mayor Cavanaugh indicated that it would be an irregular shaped lot when the proposed 29 lot split would be complete. He added that this land was located inside of the City's 30 multi-million dollar Northwest Quadrant where a moratorium on the land was just lifted. 31 He suggested that they wait until there was a development plan. 32 Mr. Lutz indicated that they could not wait until they had a development plan because 33 they do not own the land at this time. Councilmember Thuesen stated that he did not think the area was part of the Apache 16 Plan. Mayor Cavanaugh indicated that part of it was included in the Apache Plan. City Council Meeting Minutes October 9,2001 Page 3 Mr. Lutz stated that the existing state of the lot was out of ordinance, and the proposed 2 lot split would bring it into accordance. 3 Jim Prosser indicated that, if there was not a development plan in place, the property 4 provides good opportunity for both parties and suggested that they continue discussions. 5 Councilmember Sparks indicated that she would not like to see another car wash in the 6 space. Mr. Lutz responded that his client specializes in medical buildings, and that it 7 would probably be some sort of small medical development. 8 Councilmember Horst stated he thought it was a good idea to look at the plan in relation 9 to the Northwest Quadrant Redevelopment Plan. 10 Morrison stated that they were going from three lots to two lots, which would give more 11 commercial frontage to one of the lots. Mayor Cavanaugh indicated that, because the 12 single lot was the end lot and not developable standing by itself, it would have to be 13 consolidated with somebody as they move along with the Northwest Quadrant re- 14 Redevelopment Plan. 15 Planning Commission Vice Chair Randy Stille came forward to summarize the 16 conclusion of the Planning Commission on the lot split. He indicated that, without talking to any Legal Council, they saw no reason to not move forward with procedure 4k regarding the lot split. 19 Councilmember Horst questioned the urgency of the lot split. Mornson indicated that the 20 Council has sixty days to make a decision. 21 Mr. Lutz indicated that if they do not approve the lot split soon, then his client would 22 probably move forward with development as is. 23 Mayor Cavanaugh suggested that they table the preliminary plat until the next meeting. 24 VI. REVIEW ITEMS. 25 A. Discuss financial strategies (Jim Prosser, Ehlers and Associates, will be present). 26 Jim Prosser introduced Elizabeth Diaz, his colleague, who was present and had done the 27 preparation for the meeting including the spread-sheets that were to be used this evening. 28 Prosser indicated that it was not a five-year budget, but a set of strategies to be examined on an 29 annual basis. He indicated that they will be able to determine how to balance the financial 30 resources that are available and the outcomes that they want to have for the community. 31 Key Financial Strategies 32 SESSION OBJECTIVES -Review outcomes of Foundation items -operating City Council Meeting Minutes October 9,2001 Page 4 is1 -capital 2 Prosser stated that the issue is how to balance. Prosser indicated that it was really important for 3 the Council to look at the components of developing a strategy. 4 Prosser indicated that Legal Council has suggested some items to be considered. He added that 5 they are not items that have to be included, but that they wanted the Council to be aware of some 6 of the capital needs that exist. He added that was extremely important that the Council take the 7 time to add any other items that they would like to see included. 8 Prosser stated that it was common for cities to look at budgeting as an input management 9 process. He indicated that there will need to be a balance in terms of discussion at the policy 10 level about what is driving inputs and outcomes. 11 Prosser indicated that they need more input from the Council than the last session in order for the 12 process to work. 13 Prosser stated that it was very typical for a city staff to stop providing the potential needs that are 14 three to five years out because they realize that the financial resources are not there. 15 Prosser stated that this process has the staff review a checklist of building systems, etc. and 16 asked them to check the items that have not been projected as a need. 17 -Discuss Gap Financing options 6 -Revenue options 19 -Service levels 20 -Discuss community impact of options 21 -Referendum strategies and tools 22 BUDGET EXPANSION-OPERATIONS 23 -Expanding Newsletter 24 -Enhancing cable presentation of Council meetings-sound and video equipment 25 -Increasing election judge salary 26 -Increasing staffing increases and additions 27 -Information technology staff 28 -Sworn officer, crime prevention, specialists, and data entry clerk for public 29 safety 30 -Additional firefighters (3) 31 -Additional park employee 32 -Additional planning work for the Northwest and Southwest Quadrants 33 -Other from Council 34 Councilmember Thuesen asked at what point they discuss funding of staff time, etc. Prosser 35 indicated that they wanted to size the resources so that they would know how to build the model. 0 Councilmember Sparks reviewed her thoughts on the above items which included: City Council Meeting Minutes October 9,2001 Page 5 �l -Staff person for the Parks and Recreation Department -Replacing the funding of charitable gambling to the City, if the Stonehouse is shut down 3 -Additional grounds maintenance 4 -Staff person for the Community Center during after-school hours 5 Mayor Cavanaugh indicated that the resources have been added, but the outcomes have never 6 been articulated. He suggested that adding anything to the list would be a one-way street of 7 adding as opposed to re-inventing. 8 Mr. Prosser indicated that Mayor Cavanaugh mentioned a good point. He added that, 9 theoretically, it would be appropriate for them to provide every outcome. However, he 10 continued, there are some outcomes that they could change (frequency of snow-plowing, number 11 of inches of snow before sidewalks are plowed). 12 Prosser asked the Council if there are areas that, in order to achieve a certain outcome, they are 13 providing too much in resources. He added that was an important component of the strategy. 14 Councilmember Hodson mentioned that several members of the community would like to see a 15 School Liaison. 16 Councilmember Thuesen inquired about the School Liaison. Mr. Prosser indicated that the Gap 17 Analysis would tell them if they had the funding resources. 0 BUDGET EXPANSION CAPITAL 19 -Public Works facility 20 -Relocate Fire Station 21 -Update Pavement Management Program 22 -Public Works storage for equipment 23 -Relocating and rebuilding Stonehouse off-sale 24 Mayor Cavanaugh stated he would like to add the street lighting and sidewalk efforts to the 25 above list. 26 Councilmember Horst asked about the Pavement Management Program. Jay Hartman stated it 27 was used to assess the overall condition of the roads so that there is some direction on what has 28 been under construction and what needs attention. He added that it was a computerized 29 management tool of the entire infrastructure. 30 Councilmember Hodson asked if the Pavement Management Program would also include the 31 process of analyzing the extra cost of concrete versus asphalt. Hartman stated that it was an 32 overall assessment tool for both bituminous and concrete pavement. 33 Mornson indicated that they used to have a Pavement Management Program in place that has 34 been shelved since the flooding took effect seven or eight years ago. He stated that they need to take another look at which streets need seal coating, crack coating and reconstruction once the 4i flooding is taken care of. City Council Meeting Minutes October 9,2001 Page 6 Councilmember Sparks added the following to the list: 1 : -The Community Center improvement task force had identified a list of$150,000 worth 3 of improvements and there were a couple of things that were not on that list 4 -Permanent restroom at Water Tower Park 5 MAJOR CAPITAL INVESTMENTS 6 -$6,500,000 debt issue for Public Works facility 7 -$2,000,000 debt issues foe Fire Station relocation 8 41,000,000 debt issue for Stonehouse off-sale 9 -Continuing street improvement debt issues for pavement rehabilitation of approximately 10 $900,000 per year 11 -Other from Council 12 Prosser stated that one of the areas that he would like to see them examine are an analysis of 13 their current buildings, status of parking lots, etc. so that they have those items to submit when 14 they are forecasting. 15 Mayor Cavanaugh asked about the Public Works facility under the capital. He asked if, when 16 they look at the gap, has the capital cost been reflected in the operating expense. Prosser 17 indicated that when they complete there analysis they will need to include what it will cost to 18 service that debt as well as, if there are increased operating costs for the facility, they should be 19 included then. SMayor Cavanaugh mentioned sub-contracting things such as tree trimming, sewer work, and 21 snow plowing and asked how they get the incentive to begin looking at alternative ways to the 22 $6,500,000. Prosser indicated that was a very complex question because numerous factors need 23 to be considered. 24 Mayor Cavanaugh indicated that before he would ever approve anything, he would like to know 25 that he looked at the alternatives for the $6,500,000. Prosser indicated that they needed to 26 examine the costs involved to run the facility and to truly understand those costs. 27 After much discussion on the Public Works facility, Prosser indicated that it needed to be 28 reviewed and added to the strategy. He added that they also should look at an appropriate range 29 of options. 30 It was suggested that the use of "Stonehouse" in the above be changed to "SAV". Momson 31 concurred. 32 PRIORITY LEVELS 33 -Level 1-Critical to continue operation of baseline city services at present service levels 34 -Level 2-Opportunities for increased efficiency in baseline city services 35 36 There was discussion about the Public Works facility and sub-contracting among the Council 17 and Prosser. City Council Meeting Minutes October 9,2001 Page 7 -Level 3-Opportunity for expanded services to meet existing demands from Council direction of Staff analysis 3 -Level 4-Opportunity to increase services to improve the quality of life within the city 4 5 Prosser reviewed the projections for the General Operating financial statistics and broke them 6 down by year through 2006. He highlighted a funding gap under the operating category in the 7 years 2003 through 2006. 8 Prosser reviewed the projections for the Liquor Enterprise financial statistics through 2006. 9 Prosser reviewed the projections for the Utility Enterprise financial statistics through 2006. He 10 highlighted that the transfers out category was for general capital. Prosser also highlighted a 11 declining cash balance in 2005 and 2006. 12 REVENUE ENHANCEMENTS 13 -Re-evaluate administrative fees to enterprise funds 14 -Analyze utility fee revenues 15 -Utility franchise fees 16 -Sealcoat assessment 17 -Re-evaluate certain fees, such as licenses 18 -Create a streetlight utility fund 19 -Institute fees for medical calls �0 -Examine and adjust assessment policy �j -Park user fees 22 -Relocate SAV 1 to Highway 88 to increase revenues 23 -Seek vacation of Highway 88 excess ROW foe expanded retail pad 24 -Re-evaluate uncharged services to private property, such as snow removal 25 -Evaluate use of capital notes for some purchases 26 -Other from Council 27 Councilmember Sparks added tree trimming to the list. 28 Councilmember Horst added cutting grass to the list. 29 BUDGET REDUCTIONS 30 -Finance: 31 -Eliminate Risk Management Services 32 -Higher risk of loss 33 -Reduce travel, schools and conferences 34 -Diminish ability to train key personnel in important areas 35 -Reduce staffing levels 36 -Reduce service levels to tax payers and other customers 37 -Increase overtime 38 -Increase stress on remaining employees, which could create a morale 39 issue 10 -Other from Council City Council Meeting Minutes October 9,2001 Page 8 BUDGET REDUCTIONS -Public Safety-Police-Reduce sworn staff 3 -Increased overtime 4 -Potential staff burnout and morale issues 5 -Loss or diminishment of programs such as bike patrol and crime prevention 6 efforts(DARE) 7 -Ability to establish programs such as school liaison officer and ability to 8 participate in drug task force eliminated 9 -Reduce special needs/assignment flexibility 10 -Public Works 11 -Curtail street sealcoating and crack filling program 12 -Reduced street maintenance may cause the acceleration of the need for 13 street replacement 14 -Reduce street sweeping to twice per year 15 -Reduce city image 16 -Increase amount of debris in the storm sewer system 17 -Reduce staffing levels 18 -Reduced service to taxpayers and other customers 19 -Other from Council 20 REFERENDUM STRATEGIES -Identify and community problem/need -Establish and communicate process 23 -Communicate results of process, explore options and impacts/costs 24 REFERENDUM TOOLS 25 -Community tools 26 -Resident task force 27 -Communications plan 28 -Impact analysis 29 30 Morrison clarified that the referendum would take six months to a year, and asked Prosser if they 31 would be looking at the general election next year for a possible referendum. Prosser stated that, 32 although it was the City's decision,that would generally be the case. 33 SESSION THREE OBJECTIVES 34 Organize suggested strategies 35 Evaluate impact of strategies on forecasts 36 Evaluate impact on residents and taxpayers 37 Research additional options 38 39 Momson indicated that they would look to hold the next session in 2002. 40 VII. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS. None. City Council Meeting Minutes October 9,2001 Page 9 VIII. ADJOURNMENT. Motion by Councilmember Sparks to adjourn the meeting at 9:28 p.m. 3 Respectfully submitted, 4 Courtney Seesz 5 Timesaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. 6 7 8 Mayor Pr m 9 ATTEST: 10 City Clerk