City Council - 07/16/2019 - Workshop
APPROVED MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP & OPEN PODIUM
TUESDAY, JULY 16, 2019 CITY CENTER
5:00 – 6:25 PM, HERITAGE ROOMS
6:30 – 7:00 PM, COUNCIL CHAMBER
CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Ron Case, Council Members Brad Aho, Kathy Nelson, Mark
Freiberg, and PG Narayanan
CITY STAFF: City Manager Rick Getschow, Police Chief Greg Weber, Fire Chief Scott Gerber,
Public Works Director Robert Ellis, Community Development Director Janet Jeremiah, Parks and
Recreation Director Jay Lotthammer, Administrative Services/HR Director Alecia Rose, Finance
Manager Sue Kotchevar, City Attorney Ric Rosow, and Recorder Kyle Salage.
Workshop - Heritage Rooms I and II (5:30)
I. 2020/2021 BUDGET
Case called the workshop to order at 5:34 p.m.
Before beginning the budget presentation, Getschow noted the Hennepin County courts are
simply looking to engage with City Councils, and the upcoming presentation will not be tied
to a request for funds or action. He also indicated the budget slides presented mirror the draft
budget document itself. This draft will be sent to the Council via email.
Getschow provided an overview of the timeline for the budget process, pointing out there
will be more meetings and discussions on the budget before its adoption in December. He
indicated the citywide survey results, which were largely very positive, helped guide funding
decisions for City services. These survey results indicate the City ranks in the top-ten
nationwide in upwards of eighteen (18) service categories.
Getschow then outlined the city-wide goals for the budget. The Council refreshed these goals
in 2015, adding sustainability and economic vitality. He indicated these goals include a high
level of service, low taxes, strong financial position and bond rating, and status as a desirable
workplace.
Aho inquired what City staff turnover has been like, and whether the City has had difficulty
hiring new people. Getschow stated though there has been some turnover, the City has been
able to find good, quality people to fill open positions. Nelson added turnover is also in part
driven by retirements of tenured employees. Narayanan pointed out transitional impact of
turnover is less in the public sector, as there is generally a shared understanding of job duties.
In the private sector, however, there is more turnover and less collaboration. Getschow
indicated this generally is the case, but added public sector work is also driven by a mission
of service. Aho added good policies, procedures, and benefits also contribute to the retention
of employees and the high level of service. Getschow stated the City also has the benefit of
being known for its stable leadership, which not all cities have. Aho stated the Council wants
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June 18, 2019
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to support its staff, Fire department, and Police department, because all of these people
contribute towards creating a safe community. Nelson added credit should also be given to
those who maintain the City’s parks and roads.
Getschow indicated some of the projects aimed at enhancing sense of community are in the
Capital Funds Balance, while others are found in General Funds. The City is always seeking
new ways to engage with the community. The “Real Talk with Rick” podcast and EP See
Click Fix initiatives, in particular, have been well received.
Getschow discussed the City’s sustainability efforts. While most of these programs and
initiatives require investment, they also result in cost savings. The solar energy initiative is
the cornerstone of these efforts, but the City is also taking measures such as the new yard
waste drop-off site and organic waste collection. Nelson inquired as to when the solar panels
will be installed on City buildings. Getschow indicated installation at the designated sites is
already in process, with the exception of the Community Center. Between the energy
produced by these panels and the contributions from adjacent solar farms, the City will be
able to generate all electricity for its facilities through solar energy.
Getschow stated the City continues to invest in housing, and the Housing Task Force started
up this year. Freiberg asked whether the proposed HRA revenue amount is consistent with
previous years. Getschow indicated it is consistent with previous years, because this amount
is based on the designated levy. Aho added housing inspection costs are offset by fees.
Getschow indicated changes in the budget for staffing costs is driven by the three (3)
elections in 2020, staffing changes, and pay raises for staff. Aho stated some
Councilmembers have received citizen comment police officers need to be added for the
Southwest Light Rail Transit stations. Weber indicated Metro Transit is already planning to
provide some of their own security forces, but the City wants to leverage its partnership with
them. He plans to talk with their Chief on this matter. Nelson expressed doubt there will be
an influx of crime because of the arrival of the light rail.
Getschow provided an overview of the general fund revenue budget, noting the City’s
percentage of intergovernmental revenue is lower than of most other cities. The City projects
its building permit revenue conservatively, despite the surge of permits in 2018.
Additionally, cable companies are looking for ways to give less money to cities, in part
because many people are getting rid of cable television. Getschow then gave a general fund
revenue breakdown by department.
Freiberg asked for clarification as to whether Administration expenses are up solely because
of the 2020 elections. Getschow stated expenses are up because of both the elections and
because of pay increases for staff.
Getschow also noted while the City always strives to maintain low taxes, budget changes and
levy changes have fluctuated over the years. There have been some years where the budget
changed more than the levy, and vice versa. Aho pointed out new, incoming developments
will bring in additional property taxes and property value, though the amount of taxes
generated varies by development type. Getschow added the City has had a good property
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June 18, 2019
Page 3
value run for eight (8) or nine (9) years. This has contributed to the City’s value, which will
surpass $11 billion in 2020. At the same time, the City’s debt is not increasing.
Getschow closed by highlighting upcoming dates for the 2020-2021 budget development
process.
II. HENNEPIN COUNTY COURT PRESENTATION
Chief Judge Ivy Bernhardson introduced herself and provided a handout summarizing the
Hennepin County Court’s activities. The Hennepin County Court is in the process of going to
suburban cities and providing a face-to-face introduction to City Councils. She outlined the
court’s mission, personnel structure, and divisions. The majority of their work is criminal, as
approximately 88% of the filings they receive fall in this category. As such, she noted judges
start with misdemeanor criminal cases and branch out from there.
Bernhardson then provided a brief history of the federal and state court systems, and the
vision for courts in Minnesota.
Bernhardson noted Hennepin County has an electronic system which makes it so police
officers don’t have to go to judge’s houses in the middle of the night to get a search warrant,
which provides expedition and convenience. Furthermore, there are over one hundred (100)
translation languages available in the courts. However, access to justice cannot be provided
without funding.
Aho inquired as to whether funding for the courts is keeping pace with demand and needs.
Bernhardson indicated since the tenure of Governor Mark Dayton, court staff and judges
have gotten consistent and equal percent raises. However, the courts did not get the full
requested amount of funding for cybersecurity.
Aho asked for clarification as to whether the county currently has sixty-three (63) judge
seats. Bernhardson confirmed there are sixty-three (63) Hennepin County judges. The need
for judges is in part driven by the state-high amount of murder cases, which take
approximately two (2) to four (4) weeks.
Narayanan asked whether the number of opioid cases the court is hearing has increased.
Bernhardson confirmed there have been more opioid related cases recently, but qualified
addiction in general continues to be an issue. Nelson followed this up by asking whether
cases regarding mental health are also increasing. Bernhardson indicated this may be the
case, but it can be hard to tell when there is overlap between mental health and drug
addiction. Aho inquired as to whether there is a court designated specifically for drug-related
cases. Bernhardson confirmed there is a drug court, but noted it is exclusively for high-risk
people.
Open Podium - Council Chamber (6:30)
III. OPEN PODIUM
IV. ADJOURNMENT