HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-06-25 CC WS Meeting Minutes
City Council 2014-06-25 7:25 p.m.
Minutes of Work Session
Present were Mayor Tom Wilharber, Council members Jeff Paar, Steve King, D Love,
and Ben Fehrenbacher. Also present were Mark Statz of Stantec., and Finance Director
Ellie Paulseth.
The purpose of the work session was to cover three agenda items: Discuss engaging
services of recruiter to replace the administrator, review a draft of the 2015 Budget and
review the 2015 Street Mill-Overlay Program.
Recruiter.
At the previous interviews, Council consensus was that the firm of
Brimeyer-Fursman was preferred over Springsted. Mr. Fursman was invited to this
evening’s meeting, but was unable to attend due to being out of the country. Council
considered whether a recruiting firm is needed. Mr. Fursman will be invited to the
Council meeting of July 23, to discuss the recruiting process. Administrator Larson
will discuss the issue with Fursman and see if it is possible to streamline the process
to reduce the cost.
Budget 2014
. Finance Director, Ellie Paulseth, reviewed a draft budget for 2015. The
budget includes an increase in local government aid of approximately 10% from
$54,000, to $60,466. The expense budget includes $200,000 for the street overlay
program, and a significant increase in the amount allocated to Centennial Lakes
Police. The police budget has not been vetted by the Governing Board, so it is likely
that number will be reduced. The levy for Bonds increased slightly and the overall
levy would rise by 4.6%. No major increases are needed in utility rates, but an
inflationary adjustment may be indicated as well as an adjustment to Sewer rates to
account for Met Council’s increase in sewer treatment cost. Storm Sewer rates may
need to increase to meet the needs for ditch and pond cleaning. Council asked that
rates be surveyed in neighboring communities for comparison as increases are
considered.
2015 Street Program.
The Council reviewed the street mill and overlay program
presented by staff. The street list shows a maintenance project for 2015, of about
$278,000. The city budget contribution was increased from $169,000 to $200,000 and
special assessments increased to $525 per property to raise approximately $80,000 in
total assessments.
Administrator Larson reviewed projections for the program out through the year
2020. In the projections, City contribution is increased about $10,000 each year and
special assessments are increased by $25 each year per property. The cash flow works
well until 2018 when it goes into a deficit. However it appears that the deficit can be
managed by modifying the timing of the program, either deferring a few streets or
suspending the program for a year. Since the program in 2018 is overlaying streets
that are 11 or 12 years old, it seems very feasible to adjust to available cash flow.
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:45 p.m.
Dallas Larson, Administrator