Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 05/19/2015 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP & OPEN PODIUM TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015 CITY CENTER 5:00— 6:25 PM, HERITAGE ROOMS 6:30— 7:00 PM, COUNCIL CHAMBER CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Nancy Tyra-Lukens, Council Members Brad Aho, Sherry Butcher Wickstrom, Kathy Nelson, and Ron Case CITY STAFF: City Manager Rick Getschow, Police Chief Rob Reynolds, Fire Chief George Esbensen, Public Works Director Robert Ellis, Community Development Director Janet Jeremiah, Parks and Recreation Director Jay Lotthammer, Communications Manager Joyce Lorenz, City Attorney Ric Rosow, and Recorder Lorene McWaters Council Members Case and Butcher Wickstrom were absent. I. 2014 COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT/AUDIT Doug Host and Chris Knopik, principals with CliftonLarsonAllen, presented the results of the City's annual financial audit. This is the first year CliftonLarsonAllen conducted the City's audit, and Host commended City staff for an outstanding job preparing for the audit and assisting the audit team while they were on site. Host said the City received an unmodified (clean) opinion for the 2014 financial statement. There were no findings in the areas of material weaknesses and significant deficiencies, as well as no findings in segregation of duties. There was one finding in the legal compliance area, with one missing contract supplemental form. Knopik reviewed the financial results. He noted that revenues and expenditures have remained consistent over the years, and the general fund balance remains stable. General fund revenues came in over budget by 5.4% and expenditures came in at 100.5% of budget. Water operations revenue decreased from 2013 as a result of usage decreasing more than the rate increase. Liquor sales decreased by 1.8%, which was smaller than the decreases many other municipalities experienced. $1,000,000 was transferred from liquor operations to the capital improvement fund. Estimated market values are trending up, although they are still not as high as they were in 2009. Eden Prairie continues to have a lower tax rate than surrounding cities and the state. Per capita revenues increased $64 from 2013, primarily due to intergovernmental revenues. Per capita expenditures increased $11 from 2013, primarily due to increased public safety. Eden Prairie continues to have a bond rating of Aaa. Only 15 other Minnesota cities have this rating. The City again received the GFOA Certificate of Excellence in Financial Report, which is has received every year since 1990. City Council Workshop Minutes May 19, 2015 Page 2 The following table summarizes the City's net position as of December 31, 2014 (in thousands). Govern mental Acti Butiiness-Type Total 2014 2D13 2014 2013 2014 2013 Revenues: Program Revenuer, Charges for Services $ 11,620 $ 12,263 $ 26,756 $ 29,829 38,376 $ 42,d92 Operating Grants and Contributions 1,742 1,460 131 - 1,873 1,460 Capital Grants and Contributions 20,504 2,9013 1,448 3,070 21,952 5,97a General Revenues Prop"Taxes 32,781 32,674 - - 32,781 32,674 Tax Increment 3,071 3,535 - - 3,d71 3,535 Grants and Contributions 484 862 - - 484 862 Investment hcorn a 210 138 47 16 257 154 Gain on sale of Capital Assets - - - - - - Total Revenues 70,412 53,832 28,382 32,915 98,794 86,747 Expenses: Administration 4,921 5,855 - - 4,921 5,855 CornmuniN Development 5,369 5,679 - - 5,369 5,679 Police 13,5m 12,846 - - 13,534 12,846 Fire 6,094 5,724 - - 6,d94 5,724 Put)ic Works 13,321 16,289 - - 13,321 16,289 Parks and Recreation 12,947 11,114 - - 12,947 11,114 Interest on Long Term debt 964 1,337 - - 984 1,337 W ater - - 9,856 9,565 9,856 9,565 Sewer - 6,403 6,561 6,403 6,561 Storm - 2,546 2,420 2,546 2,420 Liquor - - 11,015 11,174 11,015 11,174 Total Expenses 57,170 58,844 29,820 29,720 86,990 88,564 Changes in Net Position Before Transfers 13,242 (5,012) (1,438) a,195 11,8D4 (1,817) Internal Transfers 1,415 1,253 (1,415) (1,258) - Change in Net Position 14,657 (3,754) (2,853) 1,937 11,804 (1,817) Net Pcsi[ion,January 1 241,433 245,157 148,436 146,499 389,869 391,686 Net Position,December 31 $ 256,090 $241,433 $ 145,583 $148,436 $ 4d1,673 $ 389,869 IL SOUTHWEST TRANSIT Len Simich, executive director of Southwest Transit, gave an update on the organization's activities. Simich said Southwest Transit general ridership was up 8%in 2014 over 2013. They achieved 99% on-time performance as well as a customer satisfaction rating of 99%. Southwest Transit also introduced several new services/routes in 2014, including expanded reverse commute service and expanded special event service. A bike rental program aimed at the"last mile" was launched, and wi-fi to all buses and stations was expanded. Five expansion buses, including a double-decker bus, were added to the fleet. City Council Workshop Minutes May 19, 2015 Page 3 Simich said one notable accomplishment of 2014 was negotiation of a favorable development agreement with the Met Council for joint use of SW Station for LRT. Southwest Transit received the highest possible grade (unmodified opinion) for their 2014 audit. Energy savings initiatives are expected to result in $1.5 million in savings. Southwest Transit sold the Chaska warehouse facility and the housing parcel adjacent to Southwest Village in Chanhassen. Management contracts with the Plymouth and Carver resulted in more than $150,000 in revenue. Simich said Southwest Transit continues to experience a labor shortage, particularly for drivers and mechanics. Southwest Transit also continues to monitor legislation that could threaten the organization's autonomy and funding. In 2015, Southwest Transit will update its strategic plan and explore system expansion possibilities. They will be awarding new driver services contracts for the first time in 15 years. Council Member Nelson said she has heard from some residents that Metro Mobility's hours of operation are limited, and she asked if it would be possible to expand their hours. Simich said funding and operations agreements would make it difficult to add hours. III. OPEN PODIUM IV. ADJOURNMENT