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<br /> ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSlON <br /> AUGUST 9, 2004 2 <br /> . . $12,000 has becn budgeted for on-going service fees rclated to credit card <br /> implementation. <br /> . Revenue reimbursement for the half-time position from the Lake Johanna Fire <br /> Department has been eliminated as they hope to hire a full-time Fire Marshal. Mr. <br /> Siddiqui mcntioned that this budget cun'ently includes funding for a full-time inspector <br /> position. Ms. Wolfe mentioncd that Mr. Clark and her will be coming to the Council next <br /> month for a discussion with regards to this position. <br /> . The Board of Water Commissioners has proposed a water rate increase of5 cents/lOOCF. <br /> This translates into a ratc increase of 26% for Arden Hills compared to the rate we have <br /> been paying to St. Paul. A final dctcrmination will be made in October. The preliminary <br /> budget includes this proposed increase. Councilmember Larson asked the staff if they <br /> had inquired with Board as to the reason for the increase. Mr. Siddiqui mentioned that he <br /> intends to follow-up. He also encouraged the Council Members to call the Board to <br /> express the Council's concern for the 26% proposed rate increase. <br /> . TCAAP revenues and expenditures are projected to decline due to the fact that the <br /> planning line item, which eomprises 60% ofthe total TCAAP budget, will be <br /> significantly completed in 2004. <br /> Mr. Siddiqui infi.>rmed the Council that the projected expenditures exceed projccted revenues. <br /> He said that the VariallCe was primarily due to funding construction projects from fund balances. <br /> . Mr. Siddiqui mentioned that thc Preliminary 2005 Budget is 2.9% lowcr than the Adopted 2004 <br /> Budget. He also noted that the City's past budgeting practices only included dcpreciation <br /> charges fi.lr the capital improvements in the enterprise funds. The Preliminary 2005 Budget <br /> reflects the true cash outlays for the capital improvements. Both types of budgeting practices are <br /> common and acceptable. Also, he explained that the overall proposed 2005 capital expenditures <br /> are lower than 2004 expenditures. Therefore, if the true cash capital improvements costs are <br /> included in the 2004 Budgct, the overall reduction is much greater at 9.4%. <br /> Councilmember Holden asked that Council have a full discussion about what types of <br /> equipment/items Arden Hills should pay at the Fire Station. Councilmember Larson mentioned <br /> that Arden Hills had been paying for the Fire Station I costs for the past few years, Ms. Wolfe <br /> pointed out that Shoreview City Administrator T elTY Schwerm has been accumulating historical <br /> data dating back to the early 1980's to determine who has paid for what items. Ms. Wolfe <br /> mentioned that the Fire Board has approvcd a budget which includes funding for a full-time Fire <br /> Marshal position. Councilmember Larson said that Lake Johalma will be using $25,000 (one <br /> time) from the general fund to contribute towards the full-time position to reduce impact on the <br /> cities. <br /> Councilmember Larson mentioned that Celebrate Ardcn Hills should not be part of the Mayor <br /> alld Council's budget. lIe mentioned that Recreation might be a better fit. Ms. Wolfe mentioned <br /> that staff will look for another appropriate department, perhaps Administration or Community <br /> Serviccs. <br /> . Couneilmember Holden asked 0 & M Director Tom Moore the reason for rcplacing the two 0 & <br /> M trucks. Mr. Moore explained that thc replacement cycle is seven years and that both trucks <br /> are past the time {rame. He said that they are aging and have front damagc. He indicated that <br /> ---- <br />