City Council - 06/20/2006 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
OPEN FORUM/OPEN PODIUM
TUESDAY,JUNE 20, 2006 CITY CENTER
5:00—6:25 PM, HERITAGE ROOM II
6:30—7:00 PM, COUNCIL CHAMBER
CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Nancy Tyra-Lukens, Councilmembers Brad Aho, Sherry Butcher,
Ron Case, and Philip Young
CITY STAFF: City Manager Scott Neal, Deputy Police Chief Rob Reynolds, Fire Chief
George Esbensen, Public Works Director Eugene Dietz, Community Development Director Janet
Jeremiah, Communications Manager Pat Brink, Assistant to the City Manager Michael Barone,
City Attorney Ric Rosow, City Assessor Steve Sinell, Tammy Wilson Community Development
Intern Meg Beakman, and Recorder Lorene McWaters
Heritage Room H
I. 2006-2007 BUDGET
City Manager Scott Neal said 2007 is year two of a two-year budget process. The
numbers presented at this meeting are refinements of numbers presented during last
year's budget process. Sue Kotchevar gave a PowerPoint presentation on the proposed
budget. On September 5, Council will be asked to adopt a preliminary levy, the Truth-in-
Taxation hearing will be held in December, the Council will vote on the 2007 Budget at
their December 19 Council Meeting, and the levy will be certified on December 22.
Kotchevar said this year's budget process consisted of two components:
• Updating revenue and expenditure projections
• Submittals by staff of requests for material and necessary changes to the draft budget
Kotchevar reviewed anticipated budget changes for the 2007 budget, the largest of which
is in wages and benefits. The tax levy summary shows a proposed 7.6% increase from in
2006 ($27,812,939) to 2007 ($29,924,317).
Market values are projected to increase 6% for residential properties, 12.8% for
apartments, and 12.5% for commercial. This translates into tax impacts of 3.6% for
residential, 9.7% for apartments, and 9.7% for commercial.
Kotchevar and Neal presented a proposed 2008/2009 budget process that features
increased public participation early on, including town meetings and a community
survey. Neal said he has contacted Decision Resources about conducting the survey, and
they recommend the survey be done after the November election. Results would be
available in December in time for planning for a January Council Retreat
Kotchevar also reported that liquor store sales remain strong. She recommends that a
portion of liquor store profits be retained for building improvements and updated signage.
II. MINUTE TAKING STANDARDS
City Clerk Kitty Porta presented a PowerPoint on proposed changes to standards for
meeting minutes. The most substantive changes involve moving away from attribution of
questions and comments to individuals and use of discussion summaries rather than
discussion narratives. Neal said Council would have an opportunity to consider
approving these recommendations as part of the Council Meeting Agenda.
Council Chamber
III. OPEN FORUM
Mr. Ramin Hakimi said he and other property owners on the north shore of Red Rock
Lake have "taken care of' the strip of land owned by the City between their lots and the
lakeshore for years. He objects to being taxed for a lakefront parcel since he does not
own the strip of land that touches the lakefront and the City will not allow him to make
"improvements." He recommended the City sell the strip of land to residents at a
reasonable price. Mr. Allan Pollino asked about buckthorn and garlic mustard weed
removal, and said he has researched options for seeding the shoreline.
Council asked Parks and Recreation Director Bob Lambert for input. Lambert provided a
brief history of the parcel. Lambert said Parks staff will develop recommendations for
restoration of the shoreline.
Nancy Anderson, a member of the Eden Prairie Senior Council, asked the City to install a
water supply system for the Pioneer Park Gardens. Lambert said the request will be
taken to the Parks Commission for consideration.
III. OPEN PODIUM
Ellen Hoerle submitted an alternate proposal for Singletree Lane/West 781h Street
intersection improvements.
IV. ADJOURNMENT