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2019-08-05 City Council Budget Workshop Minutes/jA�\\1bertvillc Smcl Town Wft. ft aV Uf� ALBERTVILLE CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORKSHOP Monday, August 5, 2019 APPROVED MINUTES 1. Call to Order Actor Mayor Vetsch called the meeting to order at 8:18 p.m. Present: Acting Mayor Vetsch and Councilmembers Cocking, Halling and Olson Staff Present: City Administrator-PWD Adam Nafstad, Finance Director Tina Lannes, Fire Chief Eric Bullen and City Clerk Kimberly Hodena 2. Long Range Plan Discussion There were no questions on the long range plan. 3. Draft 2019 Preliminary Budget Lannes stated that the preliminary budget has a levy increase of approximately 4.76%. The enterprise budgets will come to Council at a later date as they are not part of the general levy. 4. Senior Center/Library Lannes reviewed the payback plan for the Senior Center/Library. She stated that the bond for the building was back -end loaded; but in order to not have such a balloon payment at the end of the term, the city has been budgeting a level number over the years. 5. Building Department Lannes reported the contract for building official services went up slightly. Olson inquired why it went up and whether they should look for their own building official. Nafstad stated that the formula used to figure the cost involves both population and commercial property. He felt they are not quite to the point where it would be more cost effective to bring that position/duties in- house again; but it is something they continue to monitor. 6. FYCC Lannes reported there was a small increase to the FYCC budget and was typical compared to previous years. 7. LGA Lannes stated the city will receive a cut in Local Government Aid (LGA) next year so Council should expect to see that. 8. Fire Capital Lannes reported that payback for the two new fire trucks was discussed at the Fire Advisory Committee. She said they need to determine if the payback will be five, seven or ten years out. Otsego was willing to pursue a five year payback plan. 9. Law Enforcement — Contract/Coverage Review Lannes reported that the contract will increase a total of 9% over two years. Even though staff is not looking for formal approval at this time, there is a deadline of August 15 if the city wants to make changes or cancel the contract. Olson expressed his frustration that the cities that contract with Wright County for law enforcement services were not consulted prior to the renewal agreement going out. Cocking and Vetsch agreed. Vetsch inquired how long the city could continue to have these types of increases; he stated they may need to look at cutting hours. Cocking agreed but realizes that there is no better option for law enforcement services. Olson would like to see how Albertville compares to other cities for calls and services. Vetsch agreed they have limited options but believes residents would be supportive of less hours of coverage versus the increased cost. Nafstad stated that starting a department would cost millions of dollars and they do get a lot of services in the contract including prosecution, attorneys, jail facilities, vehicles and investigation services. Halling thought perhaps some of the cities could come together to form a cooperative department. Vetsch would like to cut hours and Lannes replied hours come in four hour blocks of time. Nafstad stated that hours should be reflective of need, not necessarily funds. He would be uncomfortable going backward in terms of hours. Vetsch stated that he has a hard time justifying an increase of approximately $75,000 over the course of two years. Cocking felt that it doesn't serve the residents to reduce hours and would not like to go backwards. Cocking also felt that response/action to calls could be improved. Vetch reiterated his disappointment in the process of the renewal and wished someone from the sheriff's office would have presented this to the Council earlier. Cocking wanted it on the record that the 4.76% levy increase is specifically due to other government entities and mandates such as the MPCA mandates for improvements to the wastewater treatment plant and the law enforcement contract. The law enforcement contract increase is more than a 1 % levy increase to the Albertville budget. Halling 10. Council Wages Nafstad distributed a handout showing council wages of cities in Wright County as well as cities with a similar population. He stated that any adjustments in council wages must be done prior to the end of the year. Hodena stated wages cannot be adjusted during an election year and the last P:\City Council\Council Packet Information\2019\081919\2019-08-05 City Council Workshop Minuutes.docx Meeting Date: August 5, 2019 time the wages were adjusted was in 2006. The Council felt the wages were fine as is and did not want to make any adjustments. 11. Other Nafstad inquired if Council had any purchases or improvements they would like included in the budget. Vetsch asked where the city is at in terms of a cold storage building. Nafstad replied that the city would most likely have to issue debt for a new building or building addition. Vetsch felt indoor storage prolongs the life of equipment. Vetsch inquired when Central Park improvements would occur as well as paving of 58th Street NE and the Central Park parking lot. Nafstad stated the park projects are identified in the five year CIP. Vetsch would also like Nafstad to talk to the County about the law enforcement contract and receiving information on proposed changes. 12. Adjourn Motioned by Vetsch, seconded by Olson, to adjourn the meeting at 9:21 p.m. Ayes: Vetsch, Cocking, Halling and Vetsch. Nays: None. Absent: Hendrickson. MOTIONDECLARED CARRIED. Respectfully submitted, /z, Kimberly A lifodena, City Clerk P:\City Council\Council Packet Information\2019\081919\2019-08-05 City Council Workshop Minuutes.docx Meeting Date: August 5, 2019