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Home My WebLink About11-04-19 WS Packet Mayor Donna Schmitt Councilmembers Robert A. Williams John Murzyn, Jr. Connie Buesgens Nick Novitsky City Manager Kelli Bourgeois City of Columbia Heights 590 40th Avenue NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421-3878 (763) 706-3600 Visit our website at: www.columbiaheightsmn.gov NOTICE OF WORK SESSION Auxiliary aids or other accommodations for disabled persons are available upon request when the request is made at least 48 hours in advance. Please contact Administration at 763-706-3610 to make arrangements. Meeting of: Columbia Heights City Council Date of Meeting: November 4, 2019 Time of Meeting: 7 pm or immediately following EDA meeting Location of Meeting: City Hall-Conference Room 1 Purpose of Meeting: Work Session 1. 2020 Community Survey Discussion 2. 2020 Budget Discussion *Please bring your department detailed budget books a. Library b. Public Works c. Finance d. General Government AGENDA SECTION WORK SESSION ITEM NO. 1 MEETING DATE NOV 4, 2019 CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS - COUNCIL LETTER ITEM: 2020 Community Survey Discussion DEPARTMENT: Administration CITY MANAGER’S APPROVAL: BY/DATE: Ben Sandell, Oct 31, 2019 BY/DATE: CITY STRATEGY: #2: Economic Strength Additional Strategy? #7: Strong Infastructure/Public Services #8: Engaged, Multi-Generational Population SHORT TERM GOAL (IF APPLICABLE): N/A Additional Goal? N/A INTRODUCTION: During the presentation of the 2020 draft Administration and Cable budgets there was discussion of whether to keep the $20,000 that’s in the proposed budget for a community survey in the final budget to be approved by the City Council. One note, because this is budgeted for in the Cable budget, which is funded by franchise fees, not the operating levy, cutting the survey from the Cable budget would not result in a representative reduction in the levy amount. WHY CONDUCT A SURVEY? Conducting a scientific survey of residents can give City staff and officials a statistically accurate understanding of what adult residents believe the City is doing right and where they would like to see the City do better. Residents would be asked to rate the quality of City services, which services they do or don’t find useful, which services they want improved, and which new services they might want added. This can provide useful insight into where to focus City resources. Do residents want more from their parks? Do they want a renovated community center? More bike paths or crosswalks? More City events like Truck or Treat? Do they want better outreach? Are they reading the newsletter or are they getting their news about the City from other sources like Facebook, the website, cable, digital signs, neighbors, newspapers, or hearsay? Is the City reaching who it wants to reach and communicating as effectively as it can with the resources it has? Where and by how much might the City need to course-correct? The last community survey conducted by Columbia Heights was in 2004 in partnership with the Columbia Heights School District. It largely focused on measuring the public’s support for potential referendums and levy increases. Sixteen years later, data derived from those reports can no longer be counted on to accurately represent the hopes, needs, and opinions of today’s Columbia Heights residents. Library 2020 Budget Questions 1. Page 2 – Listing $12,500 in Miscellaneous Income – yet for 2019 we haven’t even had $1,000 come in under this category yet this year. What will make the difference? If this doesn’t come in, what will need to be cut or are there plans to make up the difference? 2. Page 3 – Operational hours are listed at 54- is this working out for your programing and customer service for our community? 3. Page 4 – there is listed $11,000 to be transferred from the Cable TV fund. Are we still going to be able to use this for library? 4. Page 5 – 2190. Downloadable video - $1,800 – Kanopy – Is this the first year for this service? How many patrons are using this? 5. Page 6 – Item 4000, Repair & Maintenance Services – This year we have spent double what was budgeted for. Can you explain what happened? Next year we are including new Anoka County Computer Software so there is plans for an increase. 6. Page 6 – Item 7100-Oper. Transfer Out-Labor – Can you explain what this is for? It seems to remain consistant over the years. Just a note-even though the state minimum required support for a city library remains consistent, our residents gave a strong indication that they wanted to continue having a city owned library when they voted for our new facility. What you are doing seems to be working well. City of Columbia Heights, Minnesota 2020 Revenue Budget Worksheet 402 STATE AID CONSTRUCTION Actual Actual Adopted Department Manager Council 00 REVENUE Revenue Revenue Budget Proposed Proposed Adopted Line Item Description 2017 2018 2019 2020 2020 2020 33160 Federal Grant ------ 33165 Federal Grant Pass Through 833,000 -22,205 ---- 33419 Municipal State Aid Street Constr.475,866 491,341 400,000 312,500 312,500 - 33422 State Grant-Aid 169,160 590,186 1,200,000 --- 33600 County Grant ------ 34303 Public Works Service 465,051 4,395 ---- 36210 Interest on Investments ------ 36219 Change in Fair Value ------ 36290 Other Miscellaneous Revenue 839 ----- 39140 Other Refunds & Reimbursements ------ 39201 Transfer In-PIR Fund ------ 39203 Transfer In-General Fund -501 ---- 39209 Transfer In From State Aid ------ 39248 Transfer In-Water Construction ------ 39249 Transfer In-Sewer Construction ------ Total Revenue 1,943,916 1,064,217 1,600,000 312,500 312,500 - 5 City of Columbia Heights, Minnesota 2020 Revenue Budget Worksheet 412 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PARKS Actual Actual Adopted Department Manager Council 00 REVENUE Revenue Revenue Budget Proposed Proposed Adopted Line Item Description 2017 2018 2019 2020 2020 2020 32196 Park Dedication Fees 230,196 -25,000 25,000 25,000 - 33401 Local Gov't Aid 151,355 130,746 50,000 50,000 50,000 - 33422 State Grant-Aid ---175,000 175,000 - 33630 School District ------ 33641 Other Government Grants ------ 36210 Interest on Investments 3,900 7,300 ---- 36219 Change in Fair Value -200 -1,800 ---- 36220 General Government Rents ------ 36230 Contributions ------ 36290 Other Miscellaneous Revenue --2,500 --- 39100 Sale of Land ------ 39203 Transfer In-General Fund ------ 39204 Transfer In-Other 23,000 --165,000 165,000 - 39219 Transfer In-Liquor Fund ------ 39220 Transfer In-Capital Improvements ------ 39224 Transfer in From Contribution ------ 39247 Transfer In Special Proj Rev 27,000 ----- 39250 Transfer In-Storm Sewer Cons ------ 39310 Bonds Proceeds ------ Total Revenue 435,251 136,246 77,500 415,000 415,000 - 6 City of Columbia Heights, Minnesota 2020 Revenue Budget Worksheet 601 WATER UTILITY Actual Actual Adopted Department Manager Council 00 REVENUE Revenue Revenue Budget Proposed Proposed Adopted Line Item Description 2017 2018 2019 2020 2020 2020 33422 State Grant ------ 34303 Public Works Service 29,578 41,827 21,500 27,500 27,500 - 36210 Interest on Investments 4,900 8,100 5,250 5,000 5,000 - 36219 Change in Fair Value -200 -2,000 ---- 36290 Other Miscellaneous Revenue 868 -10 5,000 --- 36293 SAC Charges Collected 2,800 1,600 2,800 2,800 2,800 - 37100 Water Service Charge 2,810,505 2,962,725 3,001,000 3,196,500 3,196,500 - 37110 Interdepartmental Water Charge 47,797 49,242 35,000 45,000 45,000 - 37150 Water Turn Off/On 18,970 1,090 8,500 --- 37160 Penalties 89,007 134,265 77,500 144,000 144,000 - 37165 Water Connection Fee 42,148 42,110 42,500 43,000 43,000 - 37170 Repair Water Meters, Cards ------ 37175 Customer Service ------ 37180 Sales Meters/Remote Units 14,320 17,644 6,500 12,500 12,500 - 37181 Radio Meter Surcharge ------ 39101 Gain/Loss Sale Fixed Asset ------ 39102 Recovery of Loss ------ 39110 Bad Checks Collected ------ 39120 Recovery Damage City Property 7,302 ----- 39130 Equipment Rental ------ 39140 Other Refunds & Reimbursements --603 ---- 39201 Transfer In-PIR Fund ------ 39204 Transfer In-Other 185,293 ----- 39220 Transfer In-Capital Improvements ------ 39221 Transfer In From Sewer Fund ------ 39233 Transfer In-Cap Equip -17,981 ---- 39248 Transfer In-Water Cons ------ Total Revenue 3,253,287 3,273,971 3,205,550 3,476,300 3,476,300 - 7 City of Columbia Heights, Minnesota 2020 Revenue Budget Worksheet 602 SEWER UTILITY Actual Actual Adopted Department Manager Council 00 REVENUE Revenue Revenue Budget Proposed Proposed Adopted Line Item Description 2017 2018 2019 2020 2020 2020 33422 State Grant-Aid ------ 33641 Other Government Grants ------ 34303 Public Works Service -11,475 -5,000 5,000 - 36210 Interest on Investments --1,750 --- 36211 Interest Current Value Credit ------ 36212 Interest on Reserve Capacity ------ 36219 Change in Fair Value ------ 36290 Other Miscellaneous Revenue 687 686 750 700 700 - 36293 SAC Charges Collected 2,000 800 1,600 1,000 1,000 - 36400 Principal Repayment-Loans ------ 37175 Customer Service ------ 37210 Sewer Service Charge 1,890,941 1,977,743 1,957,923 2,149,000 2,149,000 - 37211 Interdepartmental Sewer Charge 10,013 9,886 9,250 10,000 10,000 - 37250 SAC Charge Refund -2,485 ---- 37260 Penalties ------ 37270 Interceptor Maintenance 21,416 23,620 18,500 23,000 23,000 - 39101 Gain/Loss Sale Fixed Asset ------ 39130 Equipment Rental ------ 39140 Other Refunds & Reimbursements ------ 39201 Transfer In-PIR Fund ------ 39204 Transfer In-Other 185,293 ----- 39220 Transfer In-Capital Improvements ------ 39233 Transfer In-Cap Equip -38,210 ---- 39237 Transfer In-Storm Sewer Fund ------ 39249 Transfer In-Sewer Cons ------ 39320 Capital Contributions ------ Total Revenue 2,110,349 2,064,906 1,989,773 2,188,700 2,188,700 - 8 City of Columbia Heights, Minnesota 2020 Revenue Budget Worksheet 603 REFUSE FUND Actual Actual Adopted Department Manager Council 00 REVENUE Revenue Revenue Budget Proposed Proposed Adopted Line Item Description 2017 2018 2019 2020 2020 2020 33422 State Grant-Aid ------ 33600 County Grant 103,517 112,679 102,000 102,000 102,000 - 34403 Refuse Collection ------ 36210 Interest on Investments 16,500 19,600 10,500 10,000 10,000 - 36219 Change in Fair Value -800 -4,900 ---- 36290 Other Miscellaneous Revenue 18,770 23,118 14,500 21,000 21,000 - 37310 Refuse Service Charge 1,895,958 1,963,592 1,962,308 2,042,000 2,042,000 - 37311 Interdepartmental Refuse Charge ------ 39101 Gain/Loss Sale Fixed Asset ------ 39140 Other Refunds & Reimbursements ------ 39201 Transfer In-PIR Fund ------ 39202 Transfer In-Recycling ------ 39204 Transfer In-Other 53,638 ----- Total Revenue 2,087,582 2,114,088 2,089,308 2,175,000 2,175,000 - 9 City of Columbia Heights, Minnesota 2020 Revenue Budget Worksheet 604 STORM SEWER UTILITY Actual Actual Adopted Department Manager Council 00 REVENUE Revenue Revenue Budget Proposed Proposed Adopted Line Item Description 2017 2018 2019 2020 2020 2020 34303 Public Works Service 1,200 ----- 36210 Interest on Investments 2,200 4,000 1,500 1,500 1,500 - 36219 Change in Fair Value -100 -1,000 ---- 36290 Other Miscellaneous Revenue 288 296 500 300 300 - 37410 Storm Sewer Service Charge 437,774 458,107 453,097 521,000 521,000 - 39101 Gain/Loss Sale Fixed Asset ------ 39140 Other Refunds & Reimbursements -170 ---- 39201 Transfer In-PIR Fund ------ 39204 Transfer In-Other 48,762 ----- 39220 Transfer In-Capital Improvements ------ 39221 Transfer in from Sewer Fund ------ 39233 Transfer In-Cap Equip 35,017 20,229 ---- 39250 Transfer In-Storm Sewer Cons ------ 39320 Capital Contribution ------ Total Revenue 525,141 481,802 455,097 522,800 522,800 - 10 City of Columbia Heights, Minnesota 2020 Revenue Budget Worksheet 651 WATER CONSTRUCTION FUND Actual Actual Adopted Department Manager Council 00 REVENUE Revenue Revenue Budget Proposed Proposed Adopted Line Item Description 2017 2018 2019 2020 2020 2020 33600 County Grant ------ 36210 Interest on Investments ------ 36219 Change in Fair Value ------ 36225 Non-Dwelling Rents ------ 36290 Other Misc. Revenue 2,516 ----- 37180 Sales Meters/Remote Units ------ 37181 Radio Meter Surcharge ------ 39203 Transfer In-General Fund -891 ---- 39222 Transfer In-Water Fund -313,982 ---- 39233 TRANSFER IN CAP EQUIPMENT ------ 39225 Transfer In-Refuse ------ 39256 Transfer In-Water Debt Service ------ 39310 Bonds Proceeds ------ 39320 Capital Contribution ------ Total Revenue 2,516 314,873 ---- 11 City of Columbia Heights, Minnesota 2020 Revenue Budget Worksheet 652 SEWER CONSTRUCTION FUND Actual Actual Adopted Department Manager Council 00 REVENUE Revenue Revenue Budget Proposed Proposed Adopted Line Item Description 2017 2018 2019 2020 2020 2020 33422 State Grant-Aid ------ 33641 Other Government Grants ------ 34303 Public Works Service ------ 36210 Interest on Investments 4,800 8,200 ---- 36216 Loan Interest ------ 36219 Change in Fair Value -200 -2,100 ---- 36290 Other Misc. Revenue ------ 39221 Transfer In-Sewer Fund 199,225 167,630 ---- 39237 Transfer In Storm Sewer Fund ------ 39257 Transfer In-Sewer Dbt Svc ------ 39310 Bonds Proceeds ------ 39320 Capital Contribution ------ Total Revenue 203,825 173,730 ---- 12 City of Columbia Heights, Minnesota 2020 Revenue Budget Worksheet 653 STORM SEWER CONSTRUCTION FUND Actual Actual Adopted Department Manager Council 00 REVENUE Revenue Revenue Budget Proposed Proposed Adopted Line Item Description 2017 2018 2019 2020 2020 2020 33422 State Grant-Aid --240,000 75,000 75,000 - 33641 Other Government Grants --122,000 --- 34303 Public Works Service ------ 36210 Interest on Investments 2,100 2,700 ---- 36219 Change in Fair Value -100 -700 ---- 36292 Fee In Lieu of Stormwater Imp ------ 39203 Transfer In-General Fund ------ 39220 Transfer In-Capital Improvements ------ 39221 Transfer In-Sewer Fund ------ 39237 Transfer In-Storm Sewer Fund ------ 39258 Transfer In-Stormswr Debt Svc ------ 39290 Residual Equity Transfer ------ 39310 Bonds Proceeds ------ 39320 Capital Contribution ------ Total Revenue 2,000 2,000 362,000 75,000 75,000 - 13 City of Columbia Heights, Minnesota 2020 Revenue Budget Worksheet 701 CENTRAL GARAGE Actual Actual Adopted Department Manager Council 00 REVENUE Revenue Revenue Budget Proposed Proposed Adopted Line Item Description 2017 2018 2019 2020 2020 2020 33165 Federal Grant Pass Through ------ 33422 State Grant ------ 36210 Interest on Investments 7,400 12,300 5,000 5,000 5,000 - 36219 Change in Fair Value -400 -3,100 ---- 36290 Other Miscellaneous Revenue 6,904 2,505 3,000 3,000 3,000 - 38400 Sales of Gasoline & Fuel 94,059 125,174 132,500 135,000 135,000 - 39101 Gain/Loss Sale Fixed Asset ------ 39102 Recovery of Loss ------ 39140 Other Refunds & Reimbursements ------ 39180 Garage Labor & Burden 137,949 168,834 175,000 180,000 180,000 - 39185 Allocation of Service Center 291,126 308,832 320,000 328,500 328,500 - 39203 Transfer In-General Fund ------ 39204 Transfer In-Other 121,904 4,300 ---- 39220 Transfer In-Capital Improvements ------ 39221 Transfer In-Sewer Fund ------ 39222 Transfer In-Water Fund ------ 39233 Transfer In-Cap Equip -31,677 ---- 39247 Transfer In-Special Project Revenue ------ 39253 Trasfer In-Cap Imp GenGov ------ 39290 Residual Equity Transfer ------ 39320 Capital Contributions ------ 39400 Rents & Leases-Garage 22,739 23,519 22,000 22,500 22,500 - Total Revenue 681,680 674,041 657,500 674,000 674,000 - 14 City of Columbia Heights, Minnesota 2020 Revenue Budget Worksheet 705 BUILDING MAINTENANCE Actual Actual Adopted Department Manager Council 00 INTERNAL SERVICES Revenue Revenue Budget Proposed Proposed Adopted Line Item Description 2017 2018 2019 2020 2020 2020 36210 Interest on Investments 1,300 2,300 1,250 1,300 1,300 - 36219 Change in Fair Value -100 -600 ---- 39170 Building Maint-Labor & Burden 186,500 205,500 227,000 227,000 227,000 - 39203 Transfer In From General Fund ------ 39204 Transfer In-Other 102,400 ----- 39223 Transfer In-Garage Fund --21,500 20,000 20,000 - Total Revenue 290,100 207,200 249,750 248,300 248,300 - 15 Public Works – 2020 Budget Questions 1. Page 2 – If you leave out personal expenses, how close are we to getting funding from the state for state aid projects, because with the personal services line item, 0999, we are losing money. Otherwise it appears fairly close. 2. Mayor Faust from St. Anthony, has expressed some desire to share services in some form with another city, he did mention Columbia Heights, for street sweeping. Could we look into this to see if this is something their public works would be willing to share expenses on? 3. Page 25 – 43160, Street Lighting – Not sure how much electric costs are supposed to go up but we do not show a significant increase in spending in this category, and running under budget for this year. It looks like we could keep it closer to last year’s budget and still be fine. 4. Page 28 – 43170 , Traffic Signs & Signals – Unless you are planning on significant increase in signage compared to this year or finally making each intersection in town a controlled intersection, we are only at 59% by the end of September, It seems like this could be kept closer to last year’s budget and still be fine. 5. Page 30 – General Parks 45200 – Parks are an important part of our neighborhoods. Prodeo Academy, Rick Campion, has mentioned that they are interested in doing a partnership with the city on Gauvette Park: paying for adding a soccer field. What that exactly would entail would have to be worked out with Prodeo, the city, Park Deptament, and the local residents. MWMO would be willing to help with water treatment. I noticed that Habitat for Humanity has worked with other cities in rebuilding/building parks in their Habitat for the Neighborhood Revitalization program. They have supplied some playground equipment through this program. This could be a good with them, as well. As a side note, where would we find the master plan for our parks? 6. Page 38 – Urban Forestry Budget – So far, we are way under budget for 2019. Some is because of the change of personal. What other reasons? 7. Page 38 – Urban Forestry – Services and Charges – With the hiring of a full time arborist, why do we have Arborist Services still listed as an expense? 8. Page 40 – State Aid Maintenance –Personal Services – This is way over budget for 2019, already. How will you be able to stay within the budget for 2020? 9. Page 47 – Infrastructure Fund, Cap Imp Expense – for 2019, we’ve only spent 1% of this year’s budget through September. Why double this for 2020? 10. Page 73 – 2019 we had nothing budgeted for Credit Card Fees, Refuse Collection & Disposal, 4310. Was this an oversight? Because as of Sept, we have already spent over $8,000 in credit card fees. 11. Page 76 – 2019 – we had nothing budgeted for Credit Card Fees for Recycling. Again, we have already spent over $8,000 in credit card fees. 12. Page 83- Total Supplies for 2019 – way under budget, (as of Sept. 37%) why increase it for 2020? Even keeping it at $30,000 would make more sense. 13. Page 94 – Supplies Total – why double supplies total when you only spent 14% of this year’s line item? 14. Page 109 – there is nothing budgeted in 2020 for Cap Equipment Replacement Sewer yet the description talks about replacing two vehicles? 15. Page 112 – same question as related to page 109. 16. Page 121 – Where does the excess from the 2019 budget go for State Aid Construction? 17. Page 127 and Page 130 are not the same. What are we expecting the fire and police to pay for the mill and overlay? 18. Page 139, Parks, Other services and Charges– Is there a reason we haven’t spent anything towards park improvement this year, so far? 19. Page 139 – Why do we show that we spent $4,864.50 on Wargo Park when there is money in trust, set aside to maintain that park? Where is that trust located? 20. Page 143 – Water Construction Fund – we’ve spent over twice the amount budgeted for 2019. Why and do we need to adjust this total for 2020? General Questions/Comments- 2020 Proposed Budget • Simple adjustment – change all references of Sun Focus to Life. It could say, Life (formerly Sun Focus) • As in previous years, is there an anticipation of an overage from the 2019 budget that could be applied to the capital improvement fund? This is of course just an educated guess as things can come up unexpectedly at the end of the year. • Everyone appears to be over in the Gas line item for 2019.