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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAug 3, 1978OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA AUGUST 3, 1978 The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Norberg, Hentges - present PURPOSE OF MEETING Council President Heintz stated that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the possibility of raising th~: levy limit by 10% to b~ ~dded on to the levy base in future years. PRESENTATION OF INFORMATION City Manager Bocwinski stated that several Councilmembers had talked to him of their concern that the City would have to levy to the full 10% allowed. He stated that the City would not have to levy the full amount of the allowed increase. He further explained the process of the reverse referendum. He recommended some changes in the proposed resolution. Mayor Nawrocki joined the meeting at 6:05 p.m. Discussion continued on whether the City is penalized if they do not levy to the limit of their authority. Questions were raised about interest on the City's surplus and whether the Council could call a referendum at any time in the future if the City decided they needed an increase in the levy. Councilman Hentges stated he did not think that asking for referendum would be an advantage to the City at this time. Motion by Heintz, seconded by Hentges, that the City does not hold a public hearing to discuss increasing the levy base. The City Manager asked that the Council not take this action but take a positive action to hold the hearing in order to let the public hear a presentation and have some input. He feels this would provide a vehicle for the City to stay in a good stable financial condition. Councilman Logacz stated that with the surplus the City has, and with a budget analysis, a new budget can be handled with the surplus. A public hearing could hurt because the people would not understand why the City is asking for more when it has a surplus. The City Manager reminded the Council that this is the last year for the City to take advantage of this referendum process. Mayor Nawrocki stated that few people would really understand what is involved in the project. He stated he believes strongly in home rule. He feels the City should want to take advantage of this opportunity because it is the last time for the City to do so. The purpose of the state law allowing the reverse referendum was to let the Cities have more control over their taxes. The alternative is more and more reliance upon state aids which used to be a very small part of the budget. He stated he felt the City should do whatever it can to control things at the local level. The more the City relies on state aid, the less control they will have over their activities. He thinks that the possibility is very prevalent that the City will wish at some time in the future that they had taken a positive action when the opportunity was present. August 3, 1978 Page 2 Councilman Heintz stated that a future Council should deal with the problem when it arises. This Council has developed a surplus. This is more responsive to the way the public wants the City to spend. The Mayor stated that he feels this Council has been responsible with its use of the tax dollar and used good judgement. The tax levy in Columbia Heights is not high and the services provided are good. The fact that the City has a surplus testifies to the watchfulness of the Council in its spending. Councilman Norberg stated he understands the City Manager's wish to open up an option, but it is an option that he would rather not open. This action might lose the confidence of the public because it is very difficult to explain a situation like this to the public. It would probably make more difficult in the future a situation where the Council had to go to the public for an increase in the levy limit. Roll Call: Logacz, Hientz, Norberg, Hentges - Aye Nawrocki - Nay OTHER BUSINESS The Mayor noted that he had a call dealing with the vandalism in the parks. He feels the City should consider some sort of a special fund that people can donate to to pay rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of people who vandalize. He wants the Council to consider this and bring it up at the next Council meeting. Mayor Nawrocki also stated he had talked with Minneapolis Alderman Daugherty and asked the Council if they would approve of a four-way stop at the corner of 37th and Madison Place. The majority of the Council was not in favor of the proposal. The Mayor read proclamations for Handicapped Scout Week and Miss Linda Johnson and Miss Marni Thompson Day. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Heintz, seconded by Norberg, to adjourn at 6:40 p.m. Roll Call: All Ayes Council Secretary Br~C~e-.~. Nawrocki, Mayor