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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 09/04/2001 - Workshop APPROVED 1VIINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP/FORUM TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4,2001 5:00- 6:55 PM, CITY CENTER HERITAGE ROOM H CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Jean Harris, Councilmembers Ron Case, Jan Mosman, and Nancy Tyra-Lukens CITY STAFF: City Manager Carl Jullie,Director of Financial Services and Community Development Donald Uram,Public Works Services Director Eugene Dietz,Director of Parks and Recreation Services Bob Lambert, City Attorney Ric Rosow, and Recorder Lorene McWaters I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER—MAYOR JEAN HARRIS Mayor Harris called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m. U. APPROVAL OF AGENDA III. CITY MANAGER SEARCH FIRMS Uram referenced his August 31,2001,memo,which listed four local and four out-of-state firms under consideration to conduct the search for a new City Manager. Uram said Management Services staff received good references for all of the firms. He noted that Sathe, one of the local firms, generally conducts searches for smaller cities so they may not be the best choice for Eden Prairie. Uram said the Oldani Group recently conducted a search for Roseville and had received a very positive reference from that City's Assistant City Manager. Uram recommended interviewing the three other local firms (Personnel Decisions Inc.,Brimeyer Group, and Springsted) and Oldani Group (which has a local representative). Mayor Harris suggested appointing a team of two councilmembers to interview the firms, so the process would not be slowed down by having to publish notices of special meetings that involve three or more Councilmembers. Jan Mosman and Nancy Tyra- Lukens were suggested for the team and the Council approved this suggestion. Interim City Manager Carl Jullie and Director of Community Development and Financial Services Don Uram will be staff representatives on the search firm interview team. The team's goal is to interview the four firms and present a recommendation to the Council for one firm at the September 18 Council Meeting. It was agreed that appointment of the team would be added to the Council Meeting Agenda for September 4. IV. 2002 BUDGET Uram distributed an amended budget that included addition of a staff member and equipment to maintain landscaping in the major center area. COUNCIL WORKSHOP MINUTES September 4, 2001 Page 2 Uram said the City received its state-authorized levy limit calculation on August 24. Uram explained that the 12%limit was about twice as much as staff had estimated. The levy limit was higher than expected because the limit was based on a two-year inflation rate of 7.6%, as compared to the previous two year-inflation rate of 4%, and the rate of growth in households increased from 6.6%to 8.8%. Uram recommended adopting a resolution during the Council Meeting to establish a preliminary levy increase of the full 12%. This would ensure the City could levy the full amount if they so decide. However, the Council could choose to lower the levy limit later this fall based on the tax impact on the median-valued home. Using a 95%collection rate,the City's budget could be increased by about$1.2 million. Uram said if the additional$1.2 million is levied, staff recommends that it be transferred to the Capital Improvement Program to help cover the $2.5 million predicted shortfall. V. OTHER TOPICS A. TOUCHTONE REGISTRATION FOR SWIM AND SKATING CLASSES Uram said that with the addition of the membership module to the automated registration system,the City was able for the first time to provide touchtone registration for swim and skating classes at the Community Center. One hundred twenty two students registered during the opening week last year, compared to 481 during the first week of registration this year with touchtone registration. B. FEASIBILITY OF DECONSTRUCTION OPTION FOR THE OLD POLICE STATION Uram reported that staff has contacted LHB Architects and Engineers, a local firm with experience in building deconstruction(dismantling and reusing materials from buildings),to work on a proposal to study the feasibility of deconstructing the Old Police Building. There appears to be a substantial amount of wood and burnished block that could be salvaged and used in future City structures. Uram said staff has stipulated that to be considered feasible deconstruction cannot cost more than demolition. Councilmembers indicated they liked the idea of recycling materials and that if the City undertakes the project,it should let the public know about this conservation effort. Case indicated that he would be interested in doing the project even though it may cost a little more. VI. COUNCIL FORUM VH. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Harris adjourned the meeting at 6:30 p.m.