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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 04/12/1994 MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE CITY COUNCIL TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 1994 7:30 PM, CITY CENTER, Council Chamber, 8080 Mitchell COUNCILMEMBERS: Mayor Douglas Tenpas, Richard Anderson, Jean Harris, H. Martin Jessen, Patricia Pidcock CITY COUNCIL STAFF: City Manager Carl J. Jullie, Assistant to the City Manager Craig Dawson, Director of Assessing Steve Sinell, Chief of Police Jim Clark, Finance Director John D. Frane, Director of Community Development Chris Enger, Director of Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources Bob Lambert, Director of Public Works Gene Dietz, Director of Inspections, Safety & Facilities Kevin Schmieg, Director of Human Resources & Community Services Natalie Swaggert, Communications Coordinator Terry Kucera, Senior Accountant Sara Ruth I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Mayor Tenpas called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m. Councilmember Hams was absent. H. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Tenpas asked for the addition of Item III.D.1, relating to a use for essential function bonds. Jullie asked for the addition of Item III.D.2, setting a meeting to canvass the results of the May 24 referendum. With these additions, the agenda was approved. M. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Preparation for Cablecasting Richard Jamieson, Jamieson & Associates Mr. Jamieson gave a presentation to familiarize the Council and staff with the capabilities of the audio/visual system installed in the Council Chamber. He also gave information about things people could do to be more effective and clearly heard during cableca.sts of Council meetings. B. ADA Compliance Plan Report by ADA Compliance Committee Scott Mork, a wheelchair-bound resident on the Committee, was joined by three staff members in presenting a progress report to the Council about the City's activities to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Following presentation of a video on compliance prepared by the National League of Cities, Committee members provided an overview of the results of the inventory of City facilities, early assessment and implementation activities, and of a draft list of projects for 1994. The Council had several questions on how the lists were compiled and about the current accessibility of several City facilities. Staff noted that the list of projects and estimates are rough "first cuts". A more complete list will be forwarded to the Council for its review as costs are better known. Minutes of April 12, 1994, City Council Study Session Page 2 C. Budget Reports and Projections 1) 1993 Year-End Budget Report Jullie reported that the 1993 year-end financial position of the General Fund was much better than anticipated, due to revenues coming in 1.9% over and expenditures coming in 2.6% under the estimates cited in the 3rd Quarter report. The unreserved fund balance stood at $4.31 million, $672,000 over 3rd Quarter projections, and $1.31 million above the target minimum fund balance. Pidcock asked what would be the impact of any additional tax abatements. Sinell said that the County's processing of abatements was largely concluded by the end of 1993. Jessen wished to have budget comparisons made against the "adopted" rather than the "adjusted" budget figures, and believed these were better benchmarks to assess financial management. The rest of the Council concurred. Council also requested that license fees be examined thoroughly and any changes be included with the 1995 budget. The Council accepted the year-end budget status report and approved the adjustments shown. 2) General Fund Budget Projections, 1994-1997 Jullie presented the report on projections for these budget years. With the many conservative assumptions made for the projections, the report indicated spending increases in the 3.3-6.5 percent range for these years, and resulting tax levy increases of 3.0-9.0 percent. Although the percentage and overall amount of the tax levy projected for 1995 were above normal guidelines, the tax impact would be $3/month or less for 80 percent of homesteaded properties in the City. The budget projections were an effort to identify the magnitude of financial issues in the near- to medium-term future, and not to be interpreted as having great precision. Council discussion focused on the efforts to continue to control spending, having City services and taxes remain affordable, and the guidelines generally used in developing budgets. Councilmembers noted that major changes in the composition of the Legislature or the Governor's office could negatively affect Eden Prairie, and totally change the picture of projections of the City's tax levy. 3) City Center Update i Jullie briefed the Council on the status of construction and costs for the City Center. Original cost estimates for the project were $14.2 million, and for a number of unforeseen reasons the final cost would be as high as $14.7 million. He noted that according to the preliminary report on the 1st Quarter 1994 budget status, $400,000 should be available in the unreserved balance of the General Fund to put toward the additional project cost. The Council concurred with the recommendation that this amount be so used. Minutes of April 12, 1994, City Council Study Session Page 3 D. Other 1) Proposed Use for Essential Function Bonds Due to the lateness of the meeting, Tenpas withdrew the item and said he would bring it up at a future meeting. 2) Set Date To Canvass May 24 Referendum Council set the canvass of this election to be at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 25, 1994. IV. ADJOURNMENT The study session was adjourned at 9:43 p.m.