1984-09-26200
September 26, 1984
SPECIAL BUDGET MEETING
OF THE
CITY COUNCIL
The City Council of the Mound, Hennepin County,- Minnesota, met in
special session (Special Budget Meeting), on September 26, 1984,
at 7:00 P.M., in the Council Chambers at 5341 Maywood Road, in
said City.
Those present were: Mayor Bob Polston, Councilmembers Pinky
Charon, Phyllis Jessen, and Russ Peterson. Gouncilmember Paulsen
arrived late at 7:25 P.M. Also present were: City Manager Jon
Elam, City Clerk Fran Clark, Finance Director Sharon Legg, Police
Chief Lenny Harrell, Public Works Superintendent Geno Hoff, Sewer
& Water Superintendent Greg Skinner, Park Director Chris Bollis,
Fire Chief Bob Cheney, Liquor Store Manager Joel Krum m, Building
Inspector Jan Bertrand, and the following interested citizens:
Bev Prouty, Jane Skinner, Joyce Nelson, Gregg Murray, Bill Holm,
Frank Ahrens, Mr. & Mrs. Herbert Wolner, Buzz Sycks, Steve Smith.
The Mayor opened the meeting and explained that he will not allow
this to become a political debate.. It is a budget hearing to
allow the City Council to review the proposed 1985 Budget.
The City Manager explained that the highlights of this proposed
Budget include projected revenues for the General Fund of
$1,706,011 and expenses of $1,661,349, leaving a balance of
$44,662. He then went over some of the expected revenues the
City will receive in 1985. That is an increase over last year of
5.07. The expenses are up approximately 5.377. ~He explained
that the expenditure level that is being proposed is different
than the property tax level that is being proposed. In looking
at the levy for 1985, there is only an increase of 4.3~ over
1984. If you look at the tax levies over the past four years
there is a total increase of $94,772 or 9.04 which averages out
to 2.26% per year.
The 4.3~ increase is about a point less than the expeditures
because of the increase in State Aid and other revenues that the
City generates as a part of regular business.
The Council then started at the beginning of the Budget and went
over each department.
CITY COUNCIL
The City Manager went over some of the specific line items in the
City Council Budget and explained what they include.
The Mayor asked if there was anyone who had a question or
comment on the proposed Council Budget for 1985. No one
responded.
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September 26. 1984
The Mayor stated he would like to see. the Senior Citizen
Caunseling Program included in the proposed 1985 Budget. He
stated he feels it is a worthwhile program. He asked the City
Manager how many cases this program handled. The City Manager
stated approximately 35 or 36. Councilmember Jessen stated that
she felt the costs where quite high for the number of cases they
handle. She would like to see this program coordinated with at
the Senior Center.
The City Manager explained that the new expenditure in this
Budget is the Senior Citizen Coordinator (Kathy Bailey) which is
her 1/2 of her salary and next year we will be taking on the
other 1/2 of her salary.
The City Manager explained that the LMCD may be reducing their
dues about $4.000 because they will be assessing Commons Docks at
the rate of X10.00 per dock. They did not previously assess
municipalites for their docks only marinas etc. He will know
about this better later this month or next month. If this is
done the City could pass this $10.00 fee on to the dock holders
of Commons Docks and could still fund the Senior Citizen
Counseling Program. He will keep the Council informed on this.
CITY MANAGER/CITY CLERK
The Mayor asked if there were any questions or comments on the
City Manager/City Clerk's Budget.
Councilmember Peterson asked for a clarification on the salaries
as to w hat the proposed. percentage increase is for both the City
Manager and the City Clerk. The Manager replied 4.0~ for himself
and 5.5~ for the City Clerk.
ELECTIONS/VOTER REGISTRATION
The City Manager went over the proposed Budget with the Council.
The Mayor asked if there were any questions or comments on this
proposed Budget. There were none.
ASSESSING
The Mayor asked if there were any questions or comments on this
proposed Budget. There were none.
FINANCE
The Mayor asked if there were any questions or comments on this
proposed Budget. There were none. Finance Director Sharon Legg
was present and went over some of the items with the Council.
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September 26. 1984
LEGAL
The City Manager went over the proposed Budget with the Council
stating that these fees are in line with what other cities are
paying.
The Mayor asked if there were any questions or comments on this
proposed Budget. There were none.
POLICE
Police Chief Lenny Harrell was present and presented his proposed
Budget. There were several questions from the Council on
specific line items such as 4381 Auto Equip. Repair and 4500
Capital Outlay. The Police Chief explained that the Auto Equip.
Repair is for normal maintenance on the squad cars and the
Capital Outlay included 1 new radar unit and 1 new squad car. He
is looking into smaller police cars when we replace a car for
economy.
The Mayor asked if there were any questions or comments on the
proposed Budget.
Steve Smith asked w by there were no salary sheets with the
breakdown for each employee in this years budget. The City
Manager replied that some employees were upset that these figures
were in last years budget and because the Council is only
approving the overall budgets now and salaries are not set until
December.
PLANNING & INSPECTION
Building Inspector Jan Bertrand was present and went over her
proposed Budget with the Council. She explained that the the
City is trying to have this department be self-supporting with
the fees charged.
The Mayor asked if there were any questions or comments on this
proposed Budget.
Bev Prouty asked if the Dock Inspectorts salary was in the
Planning & Inspection Budget. The City Manager answered no. it
is in the Park Dept. Budget.
Frank Ahrens stated that his is concerned about the General Fund
and as a taxpayer wants- to see the Council hold the line on
expenditures.. He stated he would like to see the contract with
Hennepin County for assessing services terminated and that he is
sure the City could hire someone for less than $37 000.
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September 26. 1984
CIVIL DEFENSE
Police Chief Harrell explained that this proposed budget is for
the Police Reserve unit operating supplies. The Unit itself is
self-supporting.
The Mayor asked if there were any questions or comments on this
proposed Budget. There were none.
STREET DEPARTMENT
Street Superintendent Geno Hoff was present and explained his
proposed Budget- noting that the salaries were increasing 5.5~
under the present three year union contract that was negotiated
last year.
The Mayor asked if there were any questions or comments on this
proposed Budget. There were none.
SHOP ~ STORE
Mr. Hoff explained that this is the City mechanists catagory and
he explained the proposed Budget.
The Mayor asked if there were any questions or comments on this
proposed Budget. There were none.
CITY PROPERTY ~ BUILDINGS
The City Manager explained that this is a catch-all catagory
which covers expenses such as electric. garbage. gas. etc. and
some maintenance on City Hall.
The Mayor asked if there were any questions or comments on this
proposed Budget.
Frank Ahrens asked how much land in Mound is tax forfeit. The
City Manager stated that it has been a priority project since he
has been here to get the tax forfeit lots back on the tax roles.
PARKS
Park Director Chris Bollis was present and explained his proposed
Budget.
The Mayor asked if there -were any questions or comments on the
proposed Budget..
Bev Prouty asked is the City is using fertilizer in the parks
around the lake. Chris Bollis answered yes because in high use
areas such as parks you have to fertilize to keep the grass.
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September 26. 1984
Councilmember Charon asked what was being done to combat the
weeds in the swimming beach areas. Chris Bollis stated that he
does not like to use chemicals in the lake and therefore has had
some weed harvesting done.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Fire Chief Bob Cheney was present and explained his proposed
budget.
The Mayor asked if there were any questions or comments on this
proposed Budget.
Frank Ahrens asked if the City writes new contracts every year
with the contracting cities. The City Manager stated that the
costs change but the contract is an ongoing thing unless either
party cancels it.
Frank Ahrens asked if this type of contract has been looked into
for the Police Dept. Mayor Polston stated that if any other
cities were interested in contracting with Mound for police
protection the City would pursue it but that the City would not
go out and actively promote it. Councilmember Paulsen stated
that he felt if other cities wanted Mound's Police protection
their citizens should go and suggest it to the other City
Councils.
The City Manager stated that he has talked to the Mayor of
Shorewood and they really feel that with the mutual aid pact they
have the best of two worlds. When they get a call and are not
close they call Mound to respond at no cost to them.
The City Manager also stated that at Mr. Murray's suggestion that
Mound contract with Orono for Police protection. the City did go
over the Orono formula and talk with the Orono Police Chief who
stated that they could not service Mound for any less than
Mound's Police Budget.
Frank Ahrens asked Fire Chief Bob Cheney if the Fire Department
had ever considered what it would cost to have only Mound and not
contract with other cities. The Fire Chief stated that with
all the contracting cities paying their fair share of the costs.
the result is better equipment better response time and a Class
5 fire rating for insurance purposes w hick costs less m oney for
each citizen.
Herbert Wolner asked what cities are contracting with Mound for
fire protection. The Fire Chief answered. Mound. part of
Minnetrista. Spring Park, part of Shorewood Minnetonka Beach and
part of Orono.
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September 26~ 1984
The Council decided to adjourn this meeting and continue with the
Special Funds tomorrow evening.
Paulsen moved and Peterson seconded a motion to adjourn at
10:15 P.M. until tomorrow evening at 7:00 P.M. The vote was
unanimously in favor. Motion carried.
on Elam City Manager
Fran Clark City Clerk