HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember 20, 1989OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
NOVEMBER 20, 1989
The Special Council Meeting was called to order by Mayor Hadtrath at 7:10.
1. ROLL CALL
Paulson, Petkoff, Carlson, Peterson, Hadtrath - present
2. PURPOSE OF MEETING
The purpose of the meeting was to give interested citizens an opportunity to
have a better understanding of the City's annual budget. The City Council must
adopt a budget and tax levies before December 28, 1989.
3. PRESENTATION OF INFORMATION
The City Manager advised that the City met state statute requirements regarding
publication of the meeting notice and the Truth in Taxation notice which was
published in the Minneapolis paper. He read the published announcement.
The City Manager presented a summary of his recommended budget. His recommendation
for expenditures for all funds amounts to $17,222,609. He is proposing a total
tax levy of $2,591,689. This reflects an increase of approximately $2OO,OO0
over the 1989 adopted budget. This would amount to approximately a 2 mill tax
increase on properties in the City.
The City Manager reviewed the anticipated expenditures and revenues by fund.
He noted that some of the members of the Council felt that the Fund Balance
was quite large and they were of the opinion that some of the Fund should be
used to finance capital equipment funds and park improvement funds as well as
set up street improvement project funding.
All of the draft resolutions supplied for the Council's consideration were
reviewed by the City Manager.
Mayor Hadtrath invited those in attendance to present their questions and concerns.
Some residents who live on 42½ Avenue expressed concerns regarding residents
who didn't care for their property very well and what appears to be an in-
crease in crime in the City. They stated they would be supportive of the hiring
of another police officer.
Two residents were concerned with the funds being proposed for set-aside noting
that this money could be kept in an interest-bearing account. One resident felt
it was prudent of the City to set aside funds for anticipated large equipment
purchases.
In response to a resldent's question about leasing of vehicles, the City Manager
responded that the City does not have a tax advantage in leasing.
A number of residents felt the Council should be mindful of the senior citizen
population in the City who rely on fixed incomes to pay their taxes, as well as
being their primary source of income.
A resldent inquired what dollar amounts are presently in some of the funds which
are being recommended for an increase in the 1990 budget.
Special City Council Meeting
November 20, 1989
page 2
RECESS: 9:05 p.m.
RECONVENE: 9:15 p.m.
Councilmember-Elect Nawrocki observed that he felt the budget information given
was difficult for some people to understand. He stated that some of the services
provlded by the City may have outlived their usefulness and should be re-evaluated.
Regarding the recommended replacement funds Nawrocki was of the opinion that they
had limited merit and were a result of computer evaluation. Nawrocki's position
on replacing pieces of equipment or reviewing the purpose of an allocation was
to actually view the equipment in question or to evaluate a purpose of a budget
matter before an expenditure approval is given. Regarding the Council's con-
sideration of increasing the City's portion on assessed projects, Nawrockl
observed that tax exempt properties do not pay taxes but they are responsible
for paying assessments. Nawrocki holds the opinion that the recreation programs
should be funded on a 50/50 basls rather than the proposed split which has the
City paying a larger portion of the budget funding than the School District.
Police Chief Anderson reported on the additional costs which would be incurred
with the addition of one police officer. He advised the Council of the time
frames for hiring a police officer and training him/her relative to the time
this person would actually be working as an officer in the department.
Mayor Hadtrath stated that the City's Department Heads should again review their
budget requests and look for places to trim these requests. The Mayor felt this
could be done with plenty of time before the budget was due for certification.
He also thinks that the newly-elected Mayor and Councilmembers should have some
input into this budget.
4. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTIONS
No Council action was taken on the proposed resolutions.
5. ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Paulson, second by Peterson to cancel the Special City Council
Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, November 21st and to adjourn the meeting
at 10:05 p.m.. Roll call: All ayes
Anr{e Student ,' Coun~ci 1
Secretary
Mayor Dale V. Hadtrath