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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCWS 08-12-1996 I I MINUTES CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA I- WORKSESSION AUGUST 12, 1996 6;30 P.M. - NEW BRIGHTON CITY HALL I CALL TO ORDERIROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Dennis Probst called to order the City Couneil I worksession at 6:35 pm. Present: Councilmembers Beverly Aplikowski, Dale Hicks and Susan Keim; City Administrator, Brian Fritsinger; Public Works Superintendent, Dwayne Stafford; Community Development Director, Kevin Ringwald; Parks and Recreation Direction, Cindy I Walsh; and City Aceountant, Terry Post. Citv Issues - Short Term I a. 1997 Budget Mayor Probst deferred to city Accountant, Terry Post who provided an overview of staffs I implementation of the Council's challenge to have a zero percent levy increase in 1997. Mr. Post made reference to his August 8, 1996 Memorandum to the Council which reviewed I significant recent developments, several alternates, and various budget observations. City Administrator, Brian Fritsinger, provided additional comments regarding possible levy reductions for 1997. .. Mr. Post reviewed a summary comparison of General Fund revenues, expenditures and operating transfers for the Council's review and consideration. Several significant items I that would affect the 1997 Budget were identified by staff and included the proposed replacement of the Cleveland Avenue railroad bridge, changes in protective inspections, and Street Maintenance Department capital items. I Mr. Post responded to questions and comments of the Council, and identified several expenditures and transfer changes, and several areas in which the City could anticipate I additional General Fund revenues in 1997. Staff addressed several points for the Council to consider in conjunction with their taking I formal action at the September 9, 1996 Regular Meeting certifYing the Preliminary Payable 1997 Levy to Ramsey County. These issues pertained to the projected 1996 General Fund I Surplus and included: 1. Timing of the anticipated 1996 building permit fees for development in the Gateway I area; 2. FW1ding of the recently created EDA as a separate entity with its own levying I authority; " 3. An increase in the operating transfer to Municipal Land/Buildings Fund; 4. Utilizing the projected surplus to increase the General Fund bala11ce. I . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - AUGUST 12. 1996 2 . Mayor Probst and staff reviewed 1997 staff salary assumptions, with 1997 range moves -. projected at a 3% inerease. At the Council Worksession scheduled for August 19, 1996, staff and Council will review . line item budgets by department, and information for review of Special Revenue, Capital, . and Enterprise Funds. Staff reminded the Council that the Preliminary Levy figures cannot increase once the Levy . is certified. Councilmembers diseussed whether or not to allow for any additional flexibility in Preliminary Levy figures. Couneilmember Hicks discussed whether the Council should consider a 1-2% Net Levy . increase to accelerate Pavement Management Program (PMP) activities. Mayor Probst concurred that perhaps several options should be available for the Council to consider as the . Council proceeds into the Truth and Taxation hearings. Staff stated that the current proposed 1997 Pavement Management activities were currently . budgeted at $150,000, and a 2% Levy increase would provide an additional $35,900, which would in turn increase the scope of the PMP by approximately 24%. eI Miscellaneous Items Mayor Probst advised Councilmembers and staff that he would not be available for the . Worksession scheduled for August 19, 1996. Mayor Probst brought an article to the attention of Accountant Post regarding bonding and yield I burning. Councilmember Hicks asked stafffor a status report on the change in administrative offiee hours. . City Administrator Fritsinger responded that the majority of comments had been favorable - both trom the standpoint of staff and the general public. Mr. Fritsinger expressed comments from some of the general public regarding their appreciation of the later Monday through Thursday I office closing hour of 5:30 p.m. Adjourn . The meeting was adjourned at 7:21 p.m. . I -. .