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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008.09.12 CC Minutes - Interviews and Budget WorkshopMINUTES FOR CITY COUNCIL MEETING FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2008 — 8:30 A.M. PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR INTERVIEWS AND BUDGET WORKSHOP Mayor Fran Miron called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. Present: Granger, Haas, Petryk, Puleo, Miron Absent: None Others Present: City Administrator Mike Ericson, Community Development Director Bryan Bear, Finance Director Ron Otkin, City Engineer Jay Kennedy, Fire Chief Jim Compton, Administrative Intern Shelly Clausen Interviews for Public Works Director At its September 2, 2008 meeting, the City Council directed staff to schedule interviews for the three finalists for the Public Works Director position to replace Chris Petree who accepted the Operations and Maintenance Director position at Lakeville. The Council interviewed William Dirks, Nathan Ayshford, and Scott Anderson. After discussion, Council agreed to offer the position to Scott Anderson, the City's Senior Engineering Technician. Staff was directed to include this item on the September 15 regular City Council meeting. Mayor Fran Miron announced a brief recess after the interviews. Budget Workshop Mayor Fran Miron called the meeting back to order at 10:16 a.m. City Administrator Mike Ericson started that he had invited Commander Mary Stutz and Chief Deputy Mike Johnson to the meeting to address public safety topics identified by the Council in its 2008 City Focus Goals. Council asked questions about the police protection services and agreed to review in increase in staffing in the 2010 City Budget. Mayor Miron thanked the deputies for their professional services and their leadership with Sheriff Bill Hutton, especially after the May 25, 2008 tornado disaster. Finance Director Ron Otkin showed the City Council a PowerPoint presentation of the mid -year review of the City's 2008 City budget. Ron highlighted revenues and expenditures to date as well as the reduction of property values for 80% of the residents. The good news he shared with Council was an overall slight increase in the taxable market value of the City due to new construction and commercial growth. Ron shared with Council a proposed reduction in the City's tax rate for the sixth consecutive year with a proposed 2009 budget which would fully fund all essential services. Ron identified a need for an additional Public Works Maintenance Worker, and proposed filling it with a current summer seasonal employee as an apprentice as suggested by the Public Works Director. Council thought it was a good use of taxpayer dollars, and directed staff to place the item on the next Council agenda. Fire Chief Jim Compton discussed with Council the staffing needs of the Fire Department and the need to consider full-time staffing in the future. Council agreed to monitor the staffing needs and to ensure that budget dollars are provided for plan review services of the Fire Marshal as needed. Haas made motion, Granger seconded, to adjourn at 11:30 a.m. Respectfully Submitted, Michael A. Ericson City Administrator