Laserfiche WebLink
ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION APRIL 21, 20147 <br /> <br />for the residents. He does not support a staffing increase or a benefit increase for employees. He <br />is in favor of the Council further discussing the structural funding issues at a future work session. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes <br /> had concerns with contributions made i HSA accounts. <br />She indicated that she would need more time to think about a levy increase. <br /> <br />Councilmember Werner <br /> stated that for preliminary discussion purposes, he would be open to <br />discussing a 5% tax levy. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant <br /> reported that inflation in 2013 was 1.5%. For this reason, he could support a 2% <br />levy increase. He agreed that health care cost increases be borne by the employees. Based on the <br />conversation with the public regarding franchise fees, he wanted to see the City hold the line on <br />taxes. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden <br /> stated that there are gaps in the budget and Snelling Avenue was not <br />slated to be replaced until 2028. She stated that she believes if the City continues to use reserves <br />for projects, the City might not have enough money to complete this project. She anticipated that <br />the City will end up right around 3% in 2015 given the increases needed each year to cover <br />increases in public safety. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes <br /> commented that the City has MSA funds that may become available for <br />Old Snelling. She requested that staff provide the Council with information on these funds. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant <br />recommended that the Snelling issue be left out of the 2015 budget cycle. He <br />suggested that staff try and come in at a 3% levy increase. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden <br /> wanted to know how much money is available for roads. <br /> <br />Director of Finance and Administrative Services Iverson <br /> stated that the CIP would be <br />reviewed in June, which would give the City an idea of what road construction projects are <br />planned and how they would be funded for 2015. She explained that she would proceed with a <br />3% levy increase. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant <br /> approved of staff proceeding in this direction, with the caveat that it could be cut <br />back to 2% or 1%, with the understanding that roads and the PIR could increase this number. <br /> <br /> <br />C.Single Stream Recycling <br /> <br />City Planner Streff <br />explained that the City of Arden Hills has contracted for curbside recycling <br />service since 1992, for single family, duplex, triplex and fourplex residential dwelling units. <br />Currently the City utilizes a dual stream collection process that requires residents to separate <br />recyclables into two groups of materials: 1) all food and beverage containers; and 2) all paper and <br />fiber products. <br /> <br />Eureka Recycling has submitted a request to change the collection method from dual stream to <br />single stream collection. The change to single stream would also include the expansion of <br />recyclable plastic food packaging containers (#4 and #5) to be collected including; <br /> <br />