2017-07-17 City Council Budget Workshop Minutesr*1 7fir
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CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
CITY HALL - COUNCIL CHAMBERS
Monday, July 17, 2017
APPROVED MINUTES
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Hendrickson called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.
Present: Mayor Hendrickson and Council members Cocking, Hudson, Olson and Vetsch
Absent: None
Others Present: City Administrator -PWD Adam Nafstad, Finance Director Tina Lannes, City
Attorney Mike Couri, Fire Chief Eric Bullen, and City Clerk Kimberly Olson
2. 2018 BUDGET DISCUSSION
Nafstad reported to Council the intent of the workshop is to review big picture expenses that are
not currently budgeted.
Staffing Levels
Nafstad reported possible future staffing positions could include:
• Filling a 0.5 FTE accounting/utility clerk position to 1.0 FTE, or intern in 2018
• Adding a 1.0 FTE to the Public Works department to be funded partially in 2018 and
partially in 2019
• Adding 1.0 FTE Engineering Technician in a year to be determined
Nafstad clarified the accounting/utility clerk position was not filled after a retirement in 2016.
Nafstad discussed the possibility of that position being filled annually with an intern. Both
Cocking and Hendrickson were supportive of that option; Vetsch would like the position filled
permanently and had concerns regarding staff time and effort to continually recruit and fill the
position as an intern. Nafstad stated the intern option could be a paid position with no benefits.
Nafstad stated the public works department has increasingly taken over more tasks as the City
has grown and matured. Both Cocking and Vetsch want to ensure that employees feel they are
able to take vacation and want to make sure both office and public works are staffed
appropriately. Cocking would like to see how the number of employees has or has not grown
with the increase in population. Hendrickson explained that staff had been cut during the housing
downturn and she also wants to make sure staff is at a functional level. Olson would like to see
the public works position funded over the course of two years.
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Nafstad reported that Albertville currently contracts with St. Michael for field observation and
engineering services. Should the person holding that position leave or retire, Albertville will
either need to contract with a different entity (more costly that current contract rates) or fill the
positon in house. He also added that with new MS4 requirements, Albertville will have many
more inspections.
Council Pay
Nafstad reported that Council pay has not changed since 2006 and he presented Council pay
rates for neighboring communities. He stated that if there was an adjustment to the pay, it would
not be effective until after the 2018 General Election per State law.
Centennial Celebration
Nafstad stated the centennial anniversary for Albertville will occur in 2019. Staff is looking for
Council feedback on what activities should be planned for a centennial celebration. He offered
some options such as a commemorative art piece, music, fireworks, etc. Cocking replied that he
liked the idea of a commemorative painting. Hendrickson would like to hold an event to raise
funds for Central Park and to raise awareness of the centennial. Olson would like to see a
separate event outside of Albertville Friendly City Days (AFCD) and Nafstad agreed they would
not want to compete with AFCD activities.
Server/Audio and Visual Equipment
Lannes explained the server will need to be replaced prior to March 2018. Staff is recommending
placing the current server at Public Works to use as the backup server and installing the new
server at City Hall. Hendrickson inquired about using the cloud for storage of the City's data and
Lannes replied the City Attorney did not recommend that for security purposes.
Lannes reported that the audio/visual equipment is original to when the building was built
(approximately 10 years old). The current equipment is now out of date and is presenting
compatibility issues with new software and hardware available on the market. Olson stated he
would definitely like to see better audio/video connections for renters of City Hall facilities.
City Hall 2nd Floor
Nafstad stated the upper level of City Hall is unfinished, but is used as a rental space primarily
for groups with art activities or exercise groups. He reported that City Hall is rented out
approximately 2,000 hours per calendar year and requests are turned down at times due to room
availability. Staff felt a more desirable finish to the upper level could help to meet some of those
requests.
Nafstad suggested minor finishes to the upper level as a more in-depth finish could add up
quickly in terms of cost. He indicated revenue from facility rentals is not in the red, but revenue
is limited. Cocking inquired how that works with so many rentals per year and Nafstad replied
that most rentals are local, non -profits that receive one room (4 hour block) free per month.
Park Improvements
Nafstad reported grant funds received from MnDNR for Westwind Park will require a $150,000
match from the City in 2018.
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Workshop Meeting of July 17, 2017
Central Park site improvements will be needed in conjunction with the depot project. Nafstad
reported the Albertville Lions have nearly reached the funds needed for the depot. In conjunction
with the centennial, Nafstad would like to see 58th Street NE reconstructed and include parking
stalls per the park plan. The splash pad is not currently funded.
Strategic Planning
Nafstad brought up long term and strategic planning. The 2012 Vision Study was last updated in
2014/2015. He inquired if Council is interested in public outreach, possibly a community survey,
and if it is time to look at community branding for Albertville.
3. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
imberly A-11" dena, City Clerk
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Workshop Meeting of July 17, 2017