City Council - 08/23/1990 EDEN PRAIRIE CITY COUNCIL
APPROVED MINUTES
THURSDAY, AUGUST 23 , 1990 7 : 30 P. M. CITY COliNCIL CHAMBERS
7600 Executive Drive
COUNCIL MEMBERS : Mayor Gary Peterson , Richard Anderson,
Jean Harris , Douglas Tenpins
Absent : Patricia Pidcock
CITY COUNCIL STAFF : City Manager Carl J . Jullie , Assistant to
the City Manager Craig Dawson, Finance
Director John D. Frane, Senior Planner
Mike Franzen , Director of Parks ,
Recreation and Natural Resources Robert
Lambert , Director of Public Works Gene
Dietz , Police Chief Keith Wall , Police
Captain Jim Clark, Director of Human
Resources & Services Natalie Su aggert ,
City Assessor Steve Sinell , Director of
Inspections Kevin Schmieg , and Recording
Secretary Barb Malinski
I . APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION •
Anderson moved , Harris seconded , to approve the Agenda.
Motion carried unanimously .
II . DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED 1991 GENERAL FUND BUDGET AND TAX LEVY
Jullie summarized the major features of the 1991 budget
proposal highlighted in his August 21 , 1990 memo to the
Mayor and City Council . A levy of $12 , 277 , 000 in property
taxes for 1991 is needed to meet the proposed expenditures
of $14 , 706 , 000 .
Among the discussion items were :
Peterson inquired if the reduction of the general fund
surplus would have any affect on the City ' s bond rating .
Frane replied it would not .
Tenpins questioned the timing of the licenses , permits and
fees . Frane said most fees for licenses are collected in
November and December. Tenpins requested clarification of the
miscellaneous category . Frane said the funds were from
special assessments .
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Page 11 Inspection/Safety Facilities
Jullie explained that the 1991 saNings for natural gas was
because the 1990 budget was in excess of anticipated
expenditures .
Page 12 Parks/Recreation - Administration/Park Planning
Jullie explained that the computer equipment was eliminated until
further decisions were made to proceed on the park referenda .
Park Maintenance narrative : Peterson asked for
clarification of "administering relocation assistance . "
Jullie explained this was reimbursement to persons whose
land was acquired through condemnation. Anderson inquired
what affect the gas prices would ]have on the City' s
vehicles .
Harris questioned the narrative "property taxes paid on City
properties leased to private residents . " Jullie explained
that the City pays property taxes on land it rented out.
Page 13 Parks/Recreation - Park Maintenance
Peterson questioned why 4375 Waste Disposal was cut in half and
inquired if it was because the expenditures for 1990 would be
less than budgeted . Jullie agreed - Peterson asked why the
proposed and recommended budget for 4414 Park Property Taxes
differed . Jullie explained this involved the Boyce and Jacques
properties .
Page 14 Parks/Recreation - Capital Outlay Parks
Lambert commented that the irrigation systems will be used in
various sites and removed in the afternoon to prevent vandalism.
Page 23 Finance
Peterson asked how soon the new accountant would be on staff .
Frane commented as soon as possible in 1991 .
Page 27 Police
Tenpas questioned if authorizing an additional officer would help
with combatting the drug problem, Wall said that the department
was just beginning concentrated efforts in this area and needed
more experience in dealing with the problems before changes could
be proposed.
Anderson was concerned about what young people can do for
entertainment in the community. Harris questioned how the
City can attract young people to the existing programs .
Anderson expressed concern about who was responsible for
getting the young people involved..
Page 28 Police - Civil Defense
Peterson asked if the budget for replacement of the sirens weans
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they tail in ten years . Wall said the older models are too
costly to repair .
Page 29 Police - Animal Control
Peterson wanted to know how much the City pairs for animal care .
Wall commented that the City spent a considerable amount , due in
part to the extra difference taken to locate pet owners .
Page 32 Public Words - Street & Drainage - Maintenance
Peterson commented that some Eden Prairie residents in NW Eden
Prairie were dissatisfied with the condition of their streets .
He asked if that was a perception or fact . Dietz said ground
water conditions may have affected the streets .
Anderson inquired if there were any safety problems on County
Road 1 because of the speed limit and lack of turning lanes .
Dietz commented that he is not aware of any problems and the
bypass lanes at Flying Cloud fields are budgeted for. Anderson
asked if the sidewalks and turning lanes at the new school had
been completed and inquired if there are plans for lowering the
speed limit . Dietz commented that the City' s requests had been
turned down .
Page 33 Public. Words - Equipment Maintenance
Jullie commented that the fuel expense ( 4221 ) may not be
sufficient .
Page 35 Shared Services General
Peterson asked why delivery of packets would be less in 1991 .
Frane said the City has not spent as much money as planned .
Harris inquired why Risk Management 4420 has decreased. Frane
said the funds needed for the current contract will hold within
the $9 , 000 figure .
Page 38 Shared Services Public Information
Peterson inquired if the Communications Coordinator position
could be shared with the Human Resources assistant position.
Jullie said it could be . Swaggert commented that it was a good
mix of skills and qualities.
Page 39 Employee Benefits & Training
Peterson asked why the Funding of Severance ( 4170 ) amount
increased 30%. Frane said as the staff grows older, the sick
leave balance goes up and the percentage of the balance used for
severance paid gets higher, so the budget is built to cope with
the future . Tenpas asked how long sick leave can be carried
forward. Frane mentioned the maximum is 800 hours . Anderson
asked how much is paid at time of severance. Swaggert said it is
based on a longevity schedule and caps at 52% .
Page 42 Certificates
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Peterson inquired how often ice rescue equipment is needed. Wall
explained that it has been used on occasion .
Tenpas commended the staff for the great job done in preparing
the budget proposal .
Peterson commented that the City should consider a larger amount
of funds to secure and pay for property for a city hall before a
referendum to build a city hall . Tenpas said since the small
budget increase proposed is related to growth, he agreed it is a
good time to get a contingency fund in place .
Peterson requested the difference if the City taxed at the
statutory maximum. Frane commented the difference is $680 , 000 .
Anderson asked if a zero increase in taxes would satisfy the
needs of the growing community. Tenpas said the proposed budget
is justified and a tax increase/decrease does not need
justification. Harris commented that this proposal presents the
best opportunity for considering a reserve for capital projects .
She further stated that if taxes could be held to current levels
and a reserve begun , the City was acting prudently. Anderson said
this is a good opportunity to set aside funds with no increase in
taxes . Tenpas suggested a smaller increase in taxes and to use
the unspent landfill litigation dollars identified for next year
f for this purpose .
Harris inquired how much would have been spent on rent for the
City offices through the end of its lease. Jullie said over
$1 ,000, 000 .
Regarding the water plant expansion and property needs, Jullie
indicated a preference for plan A and incorporating a mechanical
de-watering system would allow the City to get rid of the sludge .
The cost would be 10% more than plan B. Harris said the idea was
good.
MOTION:
Harris moved , Tenpas seconded , that plan A is preferred with a
preference for the mechanical de-watering system.
Motion passed unanimously .
Sinnell reported on the effect of an increased levy from
$12 , 277 , 000 to $12 , 703 , 000 .
1990 Payable 1991 Payable
Home value TaTIOA Inc/Dec
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+ $
$ oo , vuv 107 . 00 i •ta. uu o . uu
100 , 000 268 . 00 277. 00 + $ 9. 00
125 , 000 420 . 00 414 . 00 - $ 6. 00
150 , 000 572 . 00 572 . 00 $ 0. 00
175 , 000 724 . 00 730 . 00 + $ 6 . 00
200 , 000 876 . 00 888 . 00 + $ 12 . 00
MOTION:
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Tenpas moved, Harris seconded , to increase the proposed 1991
property tax levy increase amount to $12 , 703 , 000 .
Motion passed unanimously.
MOTION:
Anderson moved, Harris seconded , to adopt Resolution 90-218 .
Motion passed unanimously.
III . OTHER BUSINESS
Jullie stated that the liquor stores have not been making money
selling lottery tickets and requested getting out of this
! business. Peterson said it was a good decision_.
Tenpas asked staff to get back to the Council with the cost of
land around the existing public works maintenance facility and
asked what kind of compensation the City will receive when the
state takes the existing public works building.
I V. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION:
Anderson moved, Harris seconded , to adjourn the meeting at 6 : 55
p.m.
Motion carried unanimously.
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