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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCWS 11-21-2005 . e ~ ~~HILLS Approved: December 12, 2005 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21,2005,5:00 P.M. CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 1245 WEST HIGHWAY 96 Call To Order Mayor Aplikowski called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM. Present: Mayor Aplikowski, Councilmembers: Gregg Larson, David Grant, Brenda Holden, and Lois Rem Absent: None Staff present: City Administrator, Michelle Wolfe; Finance Director, Murtuza Siddiqui; Assistant to the City Administrator, Schawn Johnson; Operations and Maintenance Director, Tom Moore; Community Development Director, Karen Barton; and City Engineer, Greg Brown . City Hall Arbitration Case City Attorney Jerry Filla announced that the work session will be closed to the public in order to discuss information pertaining to the City Hall arbitration case. Mr. Filla announced that the arbitration hearings for the end of November have been postponed and will be rescheduled for a later date. 2006 Budl!et and CIP Discussion City Administrator Michelle Wolfe provided the City Council with an overview of the 2006 budget process. City staff is proposing a 4% tax levy for 2006. City staff is currently reviewing the five year Capital Improvement Project list and the PCI ratings that were recently completed by Goodpointe Technologies. The proposed 2006 budget does include the proposed Ridgewood PMP project, replacement lift stations, and capital equipment purchases. Councilmember Grant stated that hc does not feel comfortable discussing the proposed five year ClP considering that he just received the information this afternoon. City Administrator Wolfe said that staff apologizes for not attaching the proposed ClP in the work session packets. City staff will not be discussing the proposed five year C1P with the City Council at this meeting. City Administrator Wolfe then asked the City Council if they were comfortable with the proposed ClP projects for 2006. e City Councilmembers agreed that they were comfortable with the 2006 C1P budget items. . City Council Work Session Meeting November 21,2005 2 e City Administrator Wolfe said that a meeting will be scheduled in the near future for the City Council to review the proposed five year C1P. Finance Director Murtuza Siddiqui provided the City Council with a brief overview of the 2006 budget process. He mentioned that the projected expenditures for the 2006 preliminary budget is $8,180,661. This represents an overall reduction of 8.6% from the adopted 2005 budget. The general fund balance is proposed at $3,190,800. This is a reduction of 1.5% from the 2005 adopted budget. The proposed general fund includes a transfer of $73,755 to the Public Safety and Capital Fund budgets. Mr. Siddiqui noted that the market value for most homes in Arden Hills experienced an increase of approximately 15% per year. The following is a breakdown of the property taxes for the residcnts of Arden Hills: . City of Arden Hills-2 I % . School Districts-26% . Ramsey County-47% . Other Jurisdicaitons-6% Finance Director Siddiqui reported that the City experienced a reduction of $125,000 in revenue due to a decrease in the number of building permits that were granted in 2005. The reduction in . building permits is due to a slow down in construction activity. In 2006, City staff is proposing a 4% levy increase for the City of Arden Hills. This equates to an increase of about $97,000 over the 2005 levy. The average property owner in Arden Hills will pay $45.83 per month for city services. Finance Director Murtuza Siddiqui provided the City Council with an overview of the following areas in the proposed 2006 budget: . A 4% Tax Levy was adopted by the City Council at the September 12th regular city council meeting. A final levy must be certified and sent to Ramsey County in December 2005. . Overall, the proposed increases to the 2006 budget are inflationary in nature. . City staff is proposing 2.75% cost of living and employee step increases for 2006. . City staff has budgeted for a 10% increase in health care expenses for City staff. The proposed contribution toward health and dental insurance premiums is $586.00 a month for 2006. . $10,000 has been budgeted to hire a consultant or temporary staff for prograuuning internal controls for automating financial reports and documentation. . The 2006 preliminary CIP budget numbers are as follows: 1. Ridgewood Neighborhood-$ 1,764,000; 2. Reconstruction oflift stations 1,11,12, and 13-$560,000; e 3. Replacement of One Toro Groundsmaster-$30,000; 4. Tony Schmidt Park Underpass-$32,000; City Council Work Session Meeting November 21,2005 3 e 5. City Monument Signs-$30,000. . City staff has budgeted $22,600 for technology upgrades in 2006. The following technology items are proposed for next year's budget: L Two replacement computers for the Cable Room; 2. Replacement laptop computer for the City Administrator; 3. Purchase a traffic speed board; 4. Security upgrades to City Hall; 5. Installation of Web fisc he. . City staff is anticipating a 40% increase in utility costs for 2006. In 2005, the City budgeted $36,800 for document imaging. Given the current staffing situation, document imaging was not implemented by City staff in 2005. City staff is proposing that this item be carried over to the 2006 budget. The preliminary 2006 budget does not include this proposed expenditure and that a budget amendment will be necessary in 2006. Lake Johanna Fire Department has budgeted $27,123 for fire capital equipment upgrades. At this time, $13,500 has been budgeted for seal coating the parking lot at the Arden Hills station and purchasing new squad room furniture. In addition, $13,623 has been budgeted by Lake Johanna Fire Department for the City's share of equipment purchases in 2006. . Councilmember Holden asked if the costs for cleaning-up after the September storm were general fund dollars. Finance Director Siddiqui stated that the City used general fund dollars to pay for the storm clean-up. Councilmember Grant asked why City staff is proposing to purchase of security cameras for City hall for the security of City employees as well as the visitors or users of the City Hall facilities. Finance Director Siddiqui stated that he would like to have cameras monitoring the parking lots, main entry ways, and office areas at City Hall. Councilmember Rem said that with evening and recreation programs occurring at City Hall it does make sense to have security cameras monitoring the activities at City staff when staff is not present. Councilmember Grant asked why a new digital camera is being proposed in the 2006 budget. Finance Director Murtuza Siddiqui said that our existing camera is four years old and City staff would like to have funds set aside in case something happens to the camera in the near future. City staff utilizes the digital camera on a daily basis. e City Administrator Michelle Wolfe stated that City staff would like to carryover the document imaging item from the 2005 budget to the 2006 budget. . City Council Work Session Meeting November 21,2005 4 . Councilmember Larson said that he would prefer that City staff does not use cmTyover method from one budget year to the next. Each item should stand on its own merit each year. Mayor Aplikowski stated that the annual budget is a road map. It makes sure that the City has a tracking mechanism in place for monitoring purchases. Councilmember Holden said that she is satisfied with carrying over budget items. Councilmember Larson said that he is not concerned about carrying over the document imaging budget item. He is more concerned about listing each budget item in order to make sure that future City Councils know what items were budgeted for. This could assist future City Council's with their decision making. Councilmember Grant asked if the City could coordinate the City's seal coating efforts with the fire department in order to combine the two projects and potentially receive a cost savings. City Administrator Michelle Wolfe said that she will contact the Lake Johmma Fire Department to explore this idea further. It was agreed that the City will take the responsibility to sea] coat the parking lot when the City takes on routine seal coating projects. . Councilmember Larson stated that a fire truck is scheduled to be replaced in 2008. The estimated replacement cost for the fire truck is $460,000. Mayor Aplikowski said that the City will have to explore different funding options in the near future for these type of purchases. Councilmember Holden asked if the future fire station is being proposed for the same location. Councilmember Larson said that the location is still under discussion. A number of the current fire fighters live in that neighborhood. Councilmember Larson stated that the City needs to discuss how to plan on paying for a new fire station and equipment purchases in the future. Mayor Aplikowski asked what the park capital expenditures were? City Administrator Wolfe said that the park capital expenditures were for the gateway signs and the Tony Schmidt Park underpass. Councilmember Holden said that it is important for the City to identify how much money it spends annually on equipment and maintenance of City parks. . Finance Director Siddiqui said that he will research this information. ,City Council Work Session Meeting November 21, 2005 5 . Councilmember Holden asked when does the City typically maintain basketball and tennis courts. City Administrator Wolfe said that the City typically maintains basketball and tennis courts during the odd years. With the projected revenue for the City decreasing, City staff was asked to reduce spending and not complete projects such as maintenance to the basketball and tennis courts. Councilmember Holden asked how many tennis and basketball courts does the City have. Operations and Maintenance Director Tom Moore reported that the City has four parks with tennis and basketball courts. Councilmember Holden asked why it is so expensive to maintain tennis and basketball courts. Operations and Maintenance Director Tom Moore said that the special paint and athletic surface used on the basketball and tennis courts makes the repairs more expensive. Councilmember Larson suggested that the PTRC be asked to discuss the repair costs associated with the basketball and tennis courts. e Councilmember Holden asked City staff ifthe trails are being maintained on a regular basis. Operations and Maintenance Director Tom Moore said that the trails are crack sealed every other year. The City pays for this expense through the general fund. City Administrator Michelle Wolfe noted that the City does not have a dedicated revenue source for the Parks Department. Mayor Aplikowski suggested that the City utilize 2006 as an opportunity to inventory the City's parks and identify any necessary repairs or improvements. Councilmember Rem suggested that the City Council and PTRC participate in a tour of the City's different parks. This would allow the City Council and PTRC to identify and discuss the different problems or concerns with our park system. It would probably be more beneficial than having a joint meeting. City Administrator Wolfe reported that the Freeway Park warming house is in poor shape. The City's Building Official and the Mimlesota Health Department have been asked to review the shape of the building. The City's Building Official and Building Inspector believe that the warming house should not be used in the future. e Operations and Maintenance Director Tom Moore reported that a temporary trailer could be used at the Freeway Park location for a warnling house this year. It is approximately $1300.00 for renting a trailer during the winter skating season. . City Council Work Session Meeting November 21,2005 6 . City Administrator Wolfe said that the City is currently reviewing the cost for a new park shelter at Freeway Park. Councilmember Grant reported that the City of St. Michael recently constructed new warming houses. The City ofSt. Michael used their Public Works Department to design and construct the new buildings. City Administrator Wolfe also noted that the warming house at Hazelnut Park is in need of repair. Councilmember Grant raised concerns regarding the $55,000 budgeted for a new generator in the City's proposed CIP. City Administrator Wolfe reported that the generator was inserted into the CIP as a holding spot for a future purchase. Ramsey County is currently creating a county-wide inventory list of the portable generators. Councilmember Grant asked why City staff is requesting a permanent generator at lift station #8. . Operations and Maintenance Director Moore stated that lift station #8 is very critical to the City. If the pumps are not working properly at lift station #8, sewage will begin to back-up into basements after one-hour. The City is also required to send two O&M employees to lift station #8 for each call-out if the electricity is not working. Councilmember Holden asked if City staff considered purchasing a portable generator for $21,000. It would save the City money and allow city staff to move the generator from one lift station to the next. Operations and Maintenance Director Moore said that the portable generator is an option that the City Council could consider. Councilmember Larson noted that the City Council has discussed the importance of having a back-up generator at previous meetings. Mayor Aplikowski said that it is important to have a dedicated generator at lift station #8 to protect both public and private properties. City Administrator Wolfe said that the five year CIP is a work in progress. The numbers are not solid at this time due to some relatively new information that City staff has just received. Councilmember Grant stated that the 1-35W Corridor Coalition is now under a new charter and . joints power agreement. The coalition has added a number of different cities and business groups to this group. - ,City Council Work Session Meeting November 21, 2005 7 . Councilmeber Larson asked if Councilmember Grant is requesting that this item be removed from the 2006 budget. City Council will continue to discuss the 2006 membership of the 1-35W Corridor Coalition at a future meeting. City Administrator Michelle Wolfe reported that the EDC is requesting $10,000 be budgeted for research and creating a communications plan for future economic development. Members of the City Council were comfortable with budgeting $10,000 to the EDC for researching a connnunication and marketing plan for the City. Council Reports Couucilmember Grant No Reports Councilmember Holden No Reports . Councilmember Rem No Reports Councilmember Larson No Reports Mayor Aplikowski No Reports The meeting adjourned at 7:35 PM Respectfully submitted by Schawn P. Johnson '\ \ i .... ''''I ~\ f~" t, r ~~. , 'I' ': -'" "I' r., " ""'.: I'; 1 /Beverly A iko ski, MAYOR \ "" '.\:.AXclX l \.. \-- \.. \_l ~ 1'-( Michelle A. Wolfe, CITY ADM'INISTRATOR .