HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013.08.15 CC Minutes - Mid-Year Budget WorkshopMINUTES
CITY OF HUGO
CITY COUNCIL MID -YEAR BUDGET REVIEW WORKSHOP
THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2013
7:00 PM
Mayor Weidt called the meeting to order at 7:00pm
Present: Bronk, Klein, Petryk, Weidt, Haas (arrived at 7:04 pm)
Absent: None
Also Present: City Administrator Bryan Bear, Finance Director Ron Otkin, Public Works
Director Scott Anderson, City Engineer Jay Kennedy, Accounting Clerk Anna Wobse,
City Clerk Michele Lindau
Presentation of Budget
Finance Director Ron Otkin presented a PowerPoint slideshow to the Council to review
the 2013 mid -year budget and to set the stage for the 2014 budget. Ron spoke about
Local Government Aid, which Hugo does not receive, and the 2013 Omnibus tax bill that
exempts cities from sales tax beginning January 1, 2014. He talked about levy limits and
bonded debt, and he proposed a $4,940,809 levy for 2014, which is a 4.04% increase.
Ron explained that the budget is balanced, and the proposed tax levy keeps the urban tax
rate the same, based on staff's estimate of tax capacity.
Council directed staff to prepare a preliminary tax levy resolution for consideration at the
September 3, 2013 meeting.
Discussion on Technology
Finance Director Ron Otkin has proposed $10,000 in the 2014 budget for new standard
definition cameras in the Council Chamber and the City Clerk Michele Lindau discussed
with Council whether more should be spent for high definition. Michele presented
Council with options for a council member to participate in meetings from a remote
location via conferencing (Skype) and web streaming council meetings. Also discussed
with council was an access control system to monitor and control access to City facilities.
Council generally agreed that, should money be available, it was important to have access
control to the Fire Department. Also agreed upon was the need to update the cameras to
high definition and to web stream meetings.
Discussion on Capital Improvement Proiects for 2014
Finance Director Ron Otkin explained there was $1,650,000 in total funds available for a
CIP project for 2014 and presented the seven projects that were prioritized by staff. Staff
was directed to engage the residents that would be affected by these projects, beginning
Hugo City Council Mid -Year Budget Meeting Minutes for August 15, 2013
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with propriety number one, to measure their reaction and willingness to participate in a
project for 2014.
Discussion on Washington County Library Tax
Council Member Chuck Haas talked about the City of Lake Elmo's decision to close the
County Library in their city and open their own. A portion of every city's levy is applied
to the County's library fund. Lake Elmo keeps this money to pay for their own library,
and the residents are no longer a part of the Washington County system. The Council
talked about the lack of a library in Hugo, and questioned how the City of Hugo's tax
dollars were being spent by the library and how the City was benefiting.
Council directed staff to request the attendance of Washington County Library Director
Pat Conley at a future Council meeting to talk about the library levy and details about
being a part of the Washington County Library system.
Discussion on the White Bear Lake Ambulance Joint Powers Agreement
City Administrator Bryan Bear updated the Council on negotiations with the City of
White Bear Lake to impose a Hugo rate designated to reimburse the City's cost of
providing Basic Life Support services. The Council has a meeting scheduled with the
fire Department Officers for October 22, 2013 to gauge the impact providing this service
has had on membership and if it presents an obstacle to recruitment and retention.
Adjournment
Haas made motion, Bronk seconded, to adjourn at 9:09 p.m.
All Ayes. Motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michele Lindau
City Clerk