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CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
CITY HALL - COUNCIL CHAMBERS
Monday, August 18, 2014
APPROVED MINUTES
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Hendrickson called the meeting to order at 6:19 p.m.
Present: Mayor Hendrickson and Council members Olson, Sorensen, Wagner, and Vetsch
Others Present: City Administrator -PWD Adam Nafstad, Finance Director Tina Lannes, City
Clerk Kimberly Olson, and Fire Chief Tate Mills
2. BUDGET DISCUSSION
Nafstad reported they have come to Council with a base budget for operations and since the last
workshop, they have reduced the base budget by about $63,000. He and Lannes reviewed the
revisions to the expenses and revenues adding up to that amount.
A budget worksheet with multiple scenarios was presented. Lannes stated that they have come
back with four scenarios based on Council feedback for the unfunded items discussed at the last
workshop. She stated the scenarios were designed based on the various levy percentage
increases Council discussed at the previous workshop. The options were as follows:
Lannes stated that if they choose a scenario that does not entirely fund either the full -time Fire
Chief or Public Works employee, but only a portion of the positions, they will need to make up
that expense for the full -time position for the following year's levy.
Lannes reviewed the debt levies and there should not be a significant increase in the next couple
of years.
Page I
Unfunded Items Included
Scenario 1
Full -time Fire Chief, Full -time Public Works Employee,
Fire Capital Increase, Trail /Park Capital Increase
Scenario 2
Full -time Fire Chief, 6 month Public Works Employee, Fire
Capital Increase, Trail/Park Capital Increase
Scenario 3
9 month Fire Chief, 6 month Public Works Employee, Fire
Capital Increase, Trail /Park Capital Increase
Scenario 4
6 month Fire Chief, 6 month Public Works Employee, Fire
Capital Increase, Trail/Park Capital Increase
Lannes stated that if they choose a scenario that does not entirely fund either the full -time Fire
Chief or Public Works employee, but only a portion of the positions, they will need to make up
that expense for the full -time position for the following year's levy.
Lannes reviewed the debt levies and there should not be a significant increase in the next couple
of years.
Page I
Vetsch discussed moving funds from the fire pension reserve to fire capital. Lannes reported the
pension fund is good right now, but recommends maintaining a balance sufficient to fund any
shortages of the fire relief. Olson inquired if Otsego would be required to fund some of the
shortage if that happened and she replied they most likely would.
Wagner asked for the reasons for needing the additional Public Works (PW) employee.
Nafstad's reply included the following: PW now responds to Fire calls, the City has additional
parks and open areas, PW now does site inspections for code compliance issues, PW now cares
for the medians along CSAH 19, PW now does repairs on Fire and STMA Ice Arena equipment,
PW provides the employee to do the set -up for City Hall reservations, and the City's
infrastructure is aging and needs more maintenance. Wagner thanked staff for the information,
so that he can respond to any questions from the public.
Hendrickson inquired if there were any other staff additions they were recommending. Nafstad
reported that staff works at capacity and staff is lean. He stated that work output is very good,
but they do get behind when they are out an employee.
Hendrickson inquired how an additional Public Works employee would impact the seasonal
help. Nafstad reported there might be some cost savings, but the new employee would free up
one of the Utility Department staff from plowing in the winter and mowing in the summer.
Right now, Public Works utilizes two of the three Utility employees for snow plowing. Nafstad
stated the position may be able to help with some of the City building cleaning.
Lannes stated the proposed budget does have a three (3) % increase for law enforcement and
public safety through the Wright County's Sheriff's Office. Nafstad stated that he will be
meeting with Sheriff Hagerty on Wednesday regarding a possible increase to service coverage
for Albertville. He stated that this is the only outstanding budget item.
Hendrickson asked the Council at 7:03 p.m. to pause the workshop for their regularly scheduled
City Council meeting and to resume the workshop afterwards.
The meeting was resumed at 7:51 p.m.
Olson discussed cutting funds from engineering and professional services. Lannes did not
recommend cutting from those areas. She stated that those expenses are used each year, but are
not funded. Lannes wants to start funding these in the budget and she anticipates they would be
using the funds as things develop in the City. Nafstad stated that any excess planning or legal
fees would also come out of those areas and he stated that he relies heavily on those services.
Lannes asked Council what their preferred scenario would be. Wagner and Olson were
comfortable with Scenario 1, Sorensen preferred Scenario 2 or 3, Vetsch preferred Scenario 4,
and Hendrickson was comfortable with Scenario 1 or 2. Olson stated they can come in with the
preliminary levy funding Scenario 1, but can reduce that to come in at Scenario 2 or 3 in
December.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2
Workshop Meeting of August 18, 2014
Hendrickson asked Mills what was recommended at the last Fire membership meeting in regards
to a full -time Fire Chief. He stated that 27 people were present and the membership
recommended 24 -0 to hire a full -time Fire Chief. She inquired what type of timeline it would
take to hire a full -time Fire Chief. Wagner inquired about a succession plan after the new year
and Mills stated there is currently no plan in place. It would also depend on whether the Council
approves a twelve, nine, or six month Fire Chief for 2015. Sorensen stated they may budget for
Scenario 1, but it may take longer than January 1, 2015 to fill the position.
Vetsch stated that a five or six percent levy increase is difficult for commercial properties and is
a large impact for them. He stated the City is not the only entity that may be raising its levy.
Hendrickson stated she would like to prevent significant budget increases in future years and
stressed that future years should be considered.
Lannes stated that she has been able to work through the debt levy to make it more even and that
will allow more flexibility with the general levy in the next years. She did not recommend
extending the SAC payback for the Prairie Run properties.
Hendrickson and Sorensen recommend some minor cuts from capital to reduce the levy. Lannes
stated the revised budget will be presented at the next meeting.
3. ADJOURNMENT
Motioned by Yetsch, seconded by Sorensen, to adjourn the meeting at 9:07p.m. Ayes:
Hendrickson, Olson, Sorensen, Yetsch, and Wagner. Nays: None. Absent. None. MOTION
DECLARED CARRIED.
Respectful y submitted,
E
Kimberly A. son, City Clerk
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3
Workshop Meeting of August 18, 2014