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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember 8, 1993OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING D~CE~ER 8, 1993 The Special Council Meeting was called to order at 8:10 p.m. by Mayor Murzyn. ROLL CALL Nawrocki, Clerkin, Rue%timann, Peterson, Murzyn - present PURPOSE OF MEETING To consider adoption of the 1994 budget and establish tax levies. Counci]member Nawrocki questioned why this meeting was not being cablecast. He felt it would have been appropriate as the topic for discussion was important. The City Manager responded that he had received indications from only one member of the Council that cab]ecasting was desirable. Councilmember Ruettimann recalled that the budget meetings had never been cablecast and observed there were very few people ~n attendance at this meeting. CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION The City Manager referred to other handout information distributed at this meeting. They were a summary of changes in the fund balances, cash balances in major funds as of October 31, 1993, the packet from the first tax hearing, and a list of six position changes being proposed for 1993/1994 with associated costs. The positions are the Volunteer Coordinator position, a data processing position, a fire part time housing clerk, election judges (no additional positions added), a recreation coordinator and a full time maintenance position at Murzyn Hall. Councilmember Nawrocki noted that Anoka County held the line on taxes and the School Board taxes decreased· He supports there being no increase in City taxes. To accomplish this, he recommends there be no additional personnel. Motion by Nawrocki that the Volunteer Coordinator position be dropped form the budget. Motion dies for Iack of a second. SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 8, 1993 PAGE 2 Motion by Nawrocki to drop the data processor position. Motion dies for ]ack of a second. Motion by Nawrocki to not add hours to the Fire Department budget for a part time housing clerk position. Motion dies for lack of a second. Motion by Nawrocki to not increase the work hours of the Recreation Coordinator'to make a full time position. Motion dies for lack of a second. Councilmember Nawrocki inquired what the source of funding will be for 1994 for the Volunteer Firefighters. The City Manager advised he intends to go to the Legislature to authorize funding. If this is not authorized he would propose using funds from the General Fund'reserves or levy for the funding. Councilmember Nawrocki inquired what the costs have been for the Recreation Department and Community Education since the the Department was split. Councilmember Ruettimann noted the costs have increased. The City Manager will provide this information. Motion by Nawrocki to remove the $20,000 budgeted carpeting. Motion dies for lack of a second. for Motion by Nawrocki to remove $10,000 budgeted in the build]ng and improvements of streets. Motion dies for lack of a second. It. was noted that the $10,000 for a picnic shelter at Silver Lake Beach had already been removed from the proposed budget. Motion by Nawrocki to remove $240,000 for the Mill Street project. He noted this funding will be from State Aid funds but it was still taxpayers' money. He also felt the street could be improved for much less money. Councilmember Ruettimann observed that if Columbia Heights doesn't use all of its State Aid money it will go back to the State and be used by some other entity. Motion by Nawrocki to e~iminate from the budget $25,000 for a microfilm reader/printer. Motion dies for lack of a second. Motion by Nawrocki to eliminate from the budget $9,000 for a compact car for the Engineering Department. Motion dies for lack of a second. SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 8, 1993 PAGE 3 Motion by Nawrocki to remove $75,000 from the Street Department budget for a Ford F750 dump truck. Motion dies for lack of a second. It was noted that the GMC Sierra Crew Cab for the Park Department and the phone generator had already been removed from the budget. Motion by Nawrocki to remove $20,000 for carpeting and tile at Liquor Store #1 from the budget. Motion dies for lack of a second. Motion by Nawrocki to remove the $10,000 for sealing and repair of the Central Garage floor from the budget. Motion dies for lack of a second. Counci]member Nawrocki felt the proposed increases are net justified nor needed. He also noted that no provisions have been made for the possible loss of LGA and HACA funds. Counci]member C]erkin inquired what the decreases have been in liquor operation profits from 1992 to 1993. The Finance Director responded there has been approximately a $100,000 decrease but there has always been a profit realized in the Liquor Fund. The City Manager advised that department heads' projections of replacement needs for three years are fairly close to what is actually being needed. This type of planning is believed to be very good. Councilmember Nawrocki noted that a priority for residents is the Sheffield Neighborhood and there is currently no budget planned for this. COUNCIL ACTIONS a. Housing and Redevelopment Authority 1994 Budget and Tax Levy Motion by Murzyn, second by Peterson to receive and file the City of Columbia Heights' Housing and Redevelopment Authority proposed 1994 budget and tax levy providing that the tax levy of $71,040 is used exclusively for the Sheffield Area. Roll call: All ayes b. Resolution No. 93-64; Being a Resolution Adopting 1994 Budget and Tax Levy SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 8, 1993 PAGE 4 Councilmember Ruettimann noted that the City Council did not allow for $131,000 increase in salaries in 1994. He felt this was regressive. He also stated that the Council should not continue to draw down on its reserves. Motion by Ruettimann, second by Murzyn to remove the following items and associated costs from the City Council's portion of the budget: Training and educational activities - $l,925 Local travel expense - $600 Out of state travel - $2,000 League of Minnesota Cities dues - $8,950 Association of Metropolitan Municipalities dues - $5,000 Suburban Rate Authority dues - $2,000 City Council Contingencies - $15,000 for a total of $35,475 reduction in the $85,000 proposed increase and to earmark the $50,000 remaining to hire a po]ice officer in the first two months of next year to work in the Sheffield Neighborhood or whatever area is designated by the Police Department. Mayor Murzyn suggested that the police officer position could be designated to work in conjunction with the Anoka County Drug Task Force. The City Manager suggested that adding a po]ice officer at this time may not be warranted. An application has been submitted to the federal government for funding for one more police officer. The results of this application may not be known for six months. He also suggested there is considerable benefit realized from the City's association with the LMC and the AMM. Councilmember Nawrocki advised there has been considerab]e economic benefit realized by residents through the City's participation in the Suburban Rate Authority. Councilmember RDettimann removed the elimination of dues paid to the LMC, the AMM and the SRA from his motion leaving a total of $19,525. Counctlmember Ruettimann, with Mayor Murzyn's concurrence, withdrew his motion. Councilmember Ruettimann proposed adopting the budget as presented with the proposed $85,000 levy with $50,000 to be designated to the City Council's Contingency Fund to be used for the potential hiring of an additional police officer and the remaining $35,000 would be used to reduce the fund contributions. SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 8, 1993 PAGE 5 Counci]member Nawrock~ noted that a commitment has been made for partial funding with regard to the grant application. The City Manager stated that twenty-five percent of the funding, which is about $50,000 over a two year period, was the commitment. Councilmember Nawrocki felt that if the grant was not approved this funding could be designated for another officer. Counci]member Ruettimann noted the fund source was the Genera] Fund. Resolution No. 93-64; Being a Resolution Adgpting Budget and Setting Tax Levy Collectable for the Year 1994 Motion by Ruettimann, second by Murzyn to waive the reading of the resolution there being ample copies available for the public. Roll call: All ayes Counci]member Ruettimann re-stated that the change is adding $50,000 to the City Council contingencies to hire a po]ice officer. Motion by Ruettimann, second by Mur~yn to adopt Resolution 93-64. Motion to amend by Nawrocki that a priority item for 1994 is to have staff review legal costs to the City and suggest ways to reduce legal costs. Motion to amend dies for ]ack of a second. C¢,uncilmember Peterson felt this staff directive should be made by the City Council next year. Councilmelnber Ruettimann, maker of the motion did not accept the amendment but stated he would support this idea next year. The seconder of the motion also did not accept the motion to amend. RESOLUTION NO. 93-64 BEING A RESOLUTION ADOPTING A BUDGET FOR THE YEAR 1994 AND SETTING A TAX LEVY COLLECTABLE FOR THE YEAR 1994 BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Columbia Heigts as follows: Section A. The budget for the City of Columbia Heights for the year 1994 is hereby approved and adopted with appropriations for each of the funds as follows: SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 8, 1993 PAGE 6 Expense Genera] Fund Para Transit Fund State Aid Cable Television Fund Library Dare Project Community Po]ice Project Pride Capital Improvements Fund Infrastructure Fund Capital Equipment Replacement Funds: General Fund Water Fund Sewer Fund Central Garage Fund Central Garage Fund Liquor Fund Water Utility Fund Sewer Utility Fund Refuse Fund Water & Sewer Construction Funds Energy Management Data Processing Debt Service Fund Total Expense including Interfund Transfers ~6,756,905 177,971 56,867 182,026 425,407 4,965 48,027 959 401,550 0 0 641,310 1,540 glo 0 341,041 7,374.430 1,190,612 1,172,502 1,521,568 226,000 267,399 77,714 16,642,547 37,512,250 Section B. The estimated gross revenue to fund the budget of the City of Columbia Heights for all funds, including genera] ad valorem tax levies as hereinafter set forth for the year ]994. Revenue Available General Fund Para Transit Fund State Aid Cable Television Fund Library Dare Project Community Po]ice Project Pride Capita] Improvements Fund Infrastructure Fund Capital Equipment Replacement Funds: General Fund Water Fund Sewer Fund 6,756,905 177,971 56,867 182,026 425,407 4,965 48,027 959 401,550 0 641,310 1,540 910 SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 8, ]993 PAGE 7 Central Garage Fund Central Garage Fund Liquor Fund Water Utility Fund Sewer Utility Fund Refuse Fund Water & Sewer Construction Funds Energy Management Data Processing Debt Service Fund Total Revenue Including Interfund Transfers 0 341,041 7,374,430 1,190,612 1,172,502 1,521,568 226,000 267,399 77,714 16,642,547 37,512,250 Section C: The following sums of money are levied for the current year, collectable in 1994, upon the taxable property in said City of Columbia Heights, for the following purposes: General Fund 3,614,078 Bond & Interest Total Less H.A.C.A. Less Equalization Aid 3,614,078 964,99] 65,388 Certified Levy 2,583,699 The City Clerk is hereby instructed to transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the County Auditor of Anoka County~ Minnesota. Passed this 8th day of December, 1993. Offered by: Seconded by: Roll call: Ruer t imann Mur2yn Clerkin, Ruettimann, Peterson, Murzyn - aye Nawrocki - nay Mayo~r-D/o~'n~ald J. lqu~zy~J~. Jo-Anne Student, Council Secretary SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 8, 1993 PAGE 8 o Councilmember Nawrocki indicated he could not support the budget because of the tax increase included in the budget and is feeling there should not be an increase at this time. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Ruettimann, second by Murzyn to adjourn the Consideration/Adoption of 1994 Budget Meeting at. 10:35 p.m. Roll call: All ayes Mayol~/Donald J.~/M~zy~/,t'Jr. o-Anne Student, Council Secretary