2015-08-17 City Council Minutes Workshop1bf:rtvi11f:
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CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
CITY HALL - COUNCIL CHAMBERS
Monday, August 17, 2015
APPROVED MINUTES
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Hendrickson called the meeting to order at 7:28 p.m.
Present: Mayor Hendrickson and Council members Hudson, Olson, Sorensen, and Vetsch
Absent: None
Others Present: City Administrator -PWD Adam Nafstad, Finance Director Tina Lannes, City
Attorney Mike Couri, Fire Chief Eric Bullen, Water /Wastewater Supervisor John Middendorf,
Public Works Supervisor Tim Guimont, and City Clerk Kimberly Olson
2. 2016 BUDGET DISCUSSION
Nafstad reported staff would like the preliminary budget and levy to be approved at the
September 8, 2015 City Council meeting.
Nafstad distributed a budget memo dated 8/13/15 and reported that at the previous workshop
Council discussed increased funding for certain items such as economic development and
lobbying, STMA Ice Arena capital for equipment repair and additional reserves for a possible
second sheet, and pavement management.
Nafstad also discussed the balance of the capital reserves fund. Nafstad noted that the excess
balance could be redesignated and possible uses of the excess reserves, based on feedback from
Council Members, could include park improvements (Central Park Master Plan items),
replacement of the electronic City monument sign (LED dual -sided display), and transportation
(CSAH 19, local roads, or interchanges). Nafstad stated a decision on redesignating the excess
reserves in not needed tonight or prior to approving the preliminary budget, provided use of the
funds does not impact the 2016 budget. Lannes reported that she needs to know what funds the
excess reserves should be placed in by December before she does the transfer at year end.
Electronic Sign Discussion: Hendrickson stated she can't see spending a lot of money on the
sign. Sorensen inquired about the requests for messages on the sign and Nafstad replied there
are a good number of requests each month. Sorensen felt it looks bad when driving into town.
Lannes stated that it is used significantly by non - profits and Sorensen stated the City posts
messages as well.
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Sorensen and Olson stated their support for city sign. Sorensen inquired if it would be part of the
2016 budget and Lannes said it could be purchased outright in 2015 if that is what Council
decides to move forward with. Nafstad stated that they do need to consider the life of the sign
and future replacement costs.
Hudson inquired about park improvements, if there has been any consideration of improvements
other than a splash pad. Nafstad replied previous discussion has included trails, playground
equipment and mulch replacement, and the depot.
Hudson inquired if the excess reserves could be used to maintain a flat levy this year and Lannes
replied that would mean the next budget season would be at least double the staff recommended
levy of this year (at least 7 %) if there are not cuts to operations. Nafstad stated that it would be
slightly different if the dollars were to pay down debt. Olson stated that because they would
have to fund a full year of the new public works employee and increased law enforcement
coverage rather than a half a year as an in 2015, the Council knew they would be looking at least
at a 2 -3% increase this time.
Vetsch inquired what it would take to get to 2.99% and Lannes replied they would need to
reduce the budget by $15,000. Olson stated he does not want to go over 5 %, but would like to
see an increase in COLA and annual funding for a second sheet and/or arena improvements.
Hendrickson stated that she feels it would be responsible of them to set aside money aside for
arena future improvements giving the example of the large cost each entity had to pay for the
dehumidification project. Council discussed future arena and wastewater treatment facility
improvement costs. Lannes stated the point of capital reserves is to not have to bond for smaller
purchases.
Hendrickson would like to see more funding for economic development and lobbying resources.
She inquired if it is not used, if it could be used for arena or wastewater treatment facility future
improvements. Lannes explained that if the additional funding is put into operations and there
are unexpected expenses, the money will not be there at the end of the year to transfer out to
capital. She stated that is the "use it or possibly lose it" scenario; however, if the funds are put
into capital, they can be taken directly back out.
Council asked to see how the levy was affected if certain items were added /removed and Lannes
was able to show the percentages for each request.
Vetsch asked to see what the impact is on residential and commercial taxpayers for several levy
percentage scenarios. Lannes provided the City portion only of taxes for each type of property.
Council discussed the reductions done in years past to pavement management and Lannes stated
they are still trying to get back to where they were in 2004.
Hudson stated he did not want an increase higher than 4.99 %. He would also support the 3.42%
increase, but 4.99% would be the ceiling for him. Hendrickson agreed and Olson stated he
didn't want anything over 5 %. Vetsch would like to keep the increase to no more than 2.99 %.
Sorensen would support 3.5 %.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2
Workshop Meeting of August 17, 2015
Nafstad stated the September approval of the budget and levy is preliminary and it can be
reduced before the final approval in December. However, they cannot increase it, so it would be
best to come in September with the highest percentage Council can support and revisit the
discussion prior to the approval in December. Olson stated he did not want to go lower than
3.5% as that seems they would be going backwards. Sorensen stated that homeowners may see
their property values go up, but Nafstad stated that commercial properties may see theirs go
down.
Hendrickson suggested that they revisit the discussion at the first meeting in November.
3. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
c
Kimb y A. Olson, City Clerk
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3
Workshop Meeting of August 17, 2015