1984-09-06179
September 6, 1984
SPECIAL MEETING
OF THE
CITY COUNCIL
The City Council of the Mound, Hennepin County, Minnesota, met in
special session on September 6, 1984, at 7:30 P.M., in the
Council Chambers at 5341 Maywood Road, in said City. Those
present were: Mayor Bob Polston, Councilmembers Pinky Charon,
Phyllis Jessen, Gary Paulsen and Russ Peterson. Also present
were: City Manager Jon Elam, Police Chief Lenny Harrell. City
Clerk Fran Clark and the following interested citizens: Nancy
Clough, Clara Paz, Harold Meeker, Ralph Paz, Gregg & Connie
Murray. Mike Murray, Steve Smith, Frank Ahrens, Buzz Sycks, Kathy
Kluth, Larry Connolly.
The Mayor opened the meeting and explained that this is an
information meeting for the purpose of providing the citizens of
Mound with information on the City's financial condition and to
solicit suggestions regarding the 1985 City Budget.
The City Manager presented a 22 page document about City
finances in 1984. This included information on the following:
1. How 1984 taxes were distributed among taxing
authorities.
2. Assessed valuation for the past 4 years and what role it
plays in taxes.'
3. How mills are computed and how the total property taxes
payable are determined.
4. An example of how Mound's mill rate ranks with the other
46 cities in Hennepin County. It ranks 26.
5. A comparison of how Mound compares to 6 other cities in
per capita taxes.
6. A comparison of how Mound compares to 6 other. cities in
assessed value per capita.
7. A comparison of how 5 other cities compare to Mound in
productive efficiency by dividing the population by the
number of employees.
8. General Fund summary of revenues and expenditures 1984
Approved, 1984 Projected, and 1985 Proposed.
9. General Fund revenue 1984 Approved. 1984 Projected, and
1985 Proposed.
10. A breakdown of City costs for 1984.
11. Tax breakdown of a home in Three Pointsarea, Highland
area. lakeshore and Island Park.
12. Number of homestead residential properties.
13. 1984 salary analysis.
14. Staffing pattern and salary comparison of Lake area
police agencies..
15. List of City assisted business development projects
1982-1984.
16. List of new or relocated businesses.
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September 6~ 1984
17. List of businesses that have left Mound or gone out of
business and what is in its place. 1981-1984.
The Mayor then opened the meeting to the public for comments and
suggestions.
HAROLD MEEKER. 5132 Waterbury Road. Stated
of reading all the negative items that h
newspaper. He has taken the time to talk to
and the City Staff and find out the answers
and feels the City Council and the Staff are
job.
that he is tired
ave been in the
the City Council
to his questions
all doing a fine
GREGG M URRAY. 2717 Shannon Lane. Stated that he thought this
meeting would pertain more to the proposed 1985 Budget. He
also stated that he would like to see a copy of the last two
previous years Budgets. His concern was about the Police
Department because Orono only pays $33.000 per square mile
for what they cover and Mound pays X100.000 per square mile.
He stated he felt the Police budget is way too high. He
suggested that the City look into contracting with Orono for
police protection and save approximately $200.000. Mound only
covers 42 miles of paved roads and Orono covers 112 miles of
improved and unimproved roads. He further stated that he is
irratated with the Police Department because they seem to be
patroling the softball fields in excess.
Police Chief Lenny Harrell stated that Mound answers m ore calls
for service than Orono. In comparing the number of calls this
year Mound has answered approximately 4000. which does not
include tickets and Orono who logs every call. including tickets.
approximately 4400. The FBI recommends 1.5 officers per 1.000 of
population.
Councilmem ber Peterson stated that the number of people served is
a big factor to consider.
GREGG HURRAY stated that he feels
Orono is something Mound should con:
idea as a way to save money. Orono's
on the following formula: 5096
population. 12 1/2~ miles of road and
area.
that contracting with
>ider and he offers the
charges would be based
assessed value. 2596
12 1/296 square miles of
Mayor Polston stated that basing costs on assessed valuation
Mound would be the looser.
Councilmember Charon stated that she feels officer per capita is
important.
Police Chief Harrell asked Mr. Murray how many police officers he
thought worked in a shift. Mr. Murray stated he was only
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September 6, 1984
interested in Wednesday between the hours of 6 and 10 P.M. The
Police Chief stated that there are 2 per 4600 people-but that
there are 26 volunteer reserves who also are helping out at no
cost to the taxpayers of Mound.
STEVE SMITH. 4701 Tuxedo Blvd. Stated that the previous
questioner asked to see the last two previous years budgets
and that he has researched the State Statutes and finds that
the City Manager is directed to show the 2 previous years
budgets when presenting the proposed budget. He asked why
the City Manager was not adhering to the Statutes and asked
the Council how they can compare and approve a budget when
they don't have the last 2 years to compare.
Mayor Polston stated that the handout tonight is not the formal
Budget document and that it has not been completed yet. This is
an informal informational meeting on the City finances and a
chance for the public to give input as to what they would like to
see in the proposed 1985 Budget for services. etc. The formal
Budget hearings are scheduled for September 17 and 19 and the
public will have access to the proposed budget before those
dates. The public is more than welcome to a copy of the proposed.
budget which will comply with the Statutes.
FRANK AHRENS, 4673 Island View Drive. Stated that the
Governor wants tax relief as his major thrust. in the 1985
Legislative Session and he would like to see the City do
their part to hold down costs. He feels there has been a
dramatic increase in taxes in the last several years. He
also stated that he wanted a copy of the proposed Budget
before tonight. He would also like to know w hat the
Council's goals and objectives are. i.e. how many roads will
be seal coated. etc.
Mayor Polston stated that he applauds the Governor for his tax
relief position and he hopes that he will be able to do something
about that tax situation. The Mayor then restated that the
proposed Budget will be available to the public for inspection
before the Budget hearings.
BUZZ SYCKES, Beachwood Road. Stated that there are still
unanswered questions about the January Mpls. Star article
about Mound being the 3rd highest city in Hennepin County as
far as taxes.
The City Manager stated that that article referred to the city in
1981 and 1982 not the present. That was because when he came in
1981 there had been excessived spending in the previous two
years, and the reserves were down to practically nothing. The
City did not have the insurance coverage it should have had. The
City Council made cutbacks in personnel at that time but still
had to increase the millrate to avoid bankruptcy.
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September 6. 198
The Mayor thanked the people who came and offered suggestions.
_ Charon moved and Paulsen seconded a motion to adjourn at 8:35
P.M. The vote Was unanimously in favor. Motion carried.
G~~
on Elam. City Manager
~~~~ ~
Fran Clark. City Clerk