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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 06.eCITY OF LAKEVILLE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES November 12, 2013 Mayor Little called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. in the Marion Conference Room at City Hall. Council Members Present: Swecker, LaBeau, Member Davis participated via videoconference Staff Present: Steve Mielke, City Administrator; Denn Kornmann, Interim Police Chief; Chris Petree, Public Director; Dave Olson, Community and Economic Devi Building Official; Brett Altergott, Parks and Recreation Accountant; Tom Nesseth,' 2. Citizen Comments There were no citizen coma Budget Discussion Topics a. Initiatives related to new i. Code single- family this is a part Council Gene`Abbo ner; Senior mcerned that a slowdown in ated that there are currently ng permits. Mielke clarified ;pector. Abbott stated that of this position iWding miscellaneous permit reviews for fences, sheds, pools, *; currently being "Tone by full -time inspectors and it is becoming more difficult e- - to maintain expected *rvice levels. Anderson asked if the new iPads provide greater f inspecto�efcienc Olson said that the iPads allow inspectors to perform about two more insp o a day. Feller stated that the savings in builder inspector overtime will far outweigh the cost of the part time position. ii. Street Reconstruction Engineering: This engineering technician position will be the contact person and field inspector on site for the City's street reconstruction projects, as well as work during the winter months to design City projects and develop plans and specifications. Funding is through the Street Reconstruction program. The position would replace one on -site project observer, which is now a consultant. Petree believes that better, more consistent customer service is achieved by having the lead person be a City employee. City Council Work Session November 12, 2013 old Ash B iii. Fleet Services. Anderson recognizes that this position would be self- supporting because of the increased efficiencies with handling of parts, etc., but asked when there would be an offset in the budget. Petree stated that other communities have reported savings in fuel costs, inventory control, etc. and a good return on the investment of having a fleet manager on staff. Petree will provide goals, objectives, and estimated cost saving benchmarks for this position. Swecker believes this is an essential position that will be a benefit for the city. iv. Forestry Program. The position is proposed to 1 Services with surface water management fees. S position from the budget at this time and bring believes the City should be prepared to respond outbreak and possibly work cooperatively with an intern as a forester but the position is a low p State and County take responsibility for the trees on their that Dakota County is currently workrnseparedne could assist in writing and submittmgrant apltctons t v. Police Investigations and Cyber working with forensic duties. The requested begin August 1, 2014. number of rails>is un. Salaries and Miscj icil consideration. 4. Discussio*',Tbpics - Ge Prehmmary t and or a 3.9% increase >,t} and would Page -2- remove the .nuarv. Little Anderson suggested using fm. LaBeau asked if the Aif cff ways. Petree stated plan for EAB; a forester zontrol EAB. e detective is fully trained in of his time is spent on those ;ative area and is budgeted to stated that though the crime rate is down, the so plans to train an additional investigator in tech in ffii afrcc of filling this position. Feller stated that this is presented annually not wish to pursue any changes. - Proposed Revisions: The preliminary tax levy is $22.9M, 2.2% will be paid for by new growth, especially residential, and 1.2% represen,Wi street reconstruction program. A list of potential cuts in the amount of $122,000 was in ded, which, if all of the cuts were made, would reduce the levy to a 3.4% increase. Mielke clarified that the expenditure reductions are parts of the `adds' that were previously included. These are proposed reductions in the `adds' over the 2013 budget that were adopted in the preliminary levy but not cuts to the existing budget. Feller discussed the following tax levy revisions for Council consideration. Reductions can be realized in the following areas: • Contingency from health insurance premium savings; City Council Work Session November 12, 2013 Page -3- • Police Department Lexipol risk management program being removed at the recommendation of the Interim Police Chief; • Liability insurance premiums - staff recommends that LMC insurance rebates be used to defer higher anticipated premiums; • Heritage Center capital outlay; • Heritage Center operations; • Street Dept. roundabout landscaping; and • Parks maintenance. LaBeau asked if there were any for Tree Trust or other agencies, A ltergott stated th. Anderson requested clarification on the accelerated stred q stated that the accelerated street reconstruction program will be leveraged over a longer period of time and will not rai; regular street reconstruction program would. The cost of the program is $253,000 and raises the 2013 tax levy* 120. LaBeau asked how revenues from new gro-o growth increases revenues from building pe Feller stated that with growth there fir. "e °ith< street plowing, public safety calls, U, d infr a important to continue to aeliver'segwgs to cost effective 111441 The Conimunications Fun EG fees). Staff is recommc the 20,14, Election, At the lastiir� Altergott staff bring the High one of the least working with tl of agphcatious'being submitted is w4rl_Z..gnn aarnntc, new debt'eich year, which ivy any more than a Mielke stated that also increases the long -term tax base. I costs for services such as additional Council members believe it is most aid businesses in the most efficient and rues from regular Cable TV franchise fees (not the transfer of $55,000 to pay for direct expenses of election judges. Cou&il asked Parks staff to provide information on the ice rinks. zap erable amount of work and funds will need to be expended to its rink up to acceptable standards for several existing issues. This is cs, possibly due to the sub -par conditions. Staff is recommending Recreation and Natural Resources Committee to review the rink system and defer major maintenance at Highview Heights until this is completed. Little stated that the Council had created a fair policy and provided neighborhood rinks accordingly. Anderson believes the cost to improve and maintain the HH rink should be compared to what the rink provides and the low attendance. Mielke stated that part of the review process by the Parks Committee could include public comments. Altergott stated that Rolling Oaks and Quail Meadows residents have begun asking to have their rinks reopened. New developments City Council Work Session November 12, 2013 Page -4- need to be considered also. Little would like to keep HH open to maintain consistency; he doesn't believe the rink system needs to be reviewed since it was just done last year. After further discussion Council members asked staff to work with the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Committee on an analysis of the ice rinks. Revenue Assumptions - related to growth: Staff provided Council with projections of fund balance increases due to development and building permit revenues being higher than anticipated. Based on the plats which have been submittecLt4 `6e inventory of available lots, Mr r. staff believes 365 dwelling units is a conservative estimate:for 2014 )ll oxey provided a man illustrating current residential development projects as of October 34'sf, 4rid 2014pending subdivisions. There are currently 617 SF lots available i te,,sys{em, with ari:adaitiorial 946 lots in staff review. Morey stated that many of these are molt- ease plats ancf i x*rmt all be available at once. Development activity is taking place in 411 fhr e, school districts.�� 5. Discussion Topics - Capital Improvement Plan 2 -4 -2018) Feller highlighted items in the Transparfattoian. Figires ha e chaaged due to revised estimates provided by the County. A resole n supporting the ounty's CIP will be presented to Council for their consideration at theft newt feglar meeting.. Utility System: The Comprehensivell— r Ptan tL aate apd the WTF expansion study have been advanced one year due to gfssw and coorwn unth other projects in the CIP. The watermam replacement prg� ivas increased asa result of the outcome of the feasibility report in the 2Q34�ei zsazrovemenfect. Other projects will be discussed at the November 1J� work seston ., e 6. Information Distribution Parks Trail Maintenance Altergott stated that improvements to King Park parking lot and playgroin, ire especially impo fant for the Miracle Field users. LBA has offered to contribute funds for at the facilib" Irrigation and drain -tile will also be needed in the future. s w Capital Projects Fiii12 Primary funding sources are the building fund balances for the next five years, liquor pets, and utility user fees. Anderson asked if Council could discuss total compensation and contingency at the next meeting. Mielke stated that staff will prepare materials for Council at a future meeting before the budget is adopted. Anderson would also like to compare how neighboring communities set their levies since some cities are lower. Mielke stated that a range of years should be looked at; Lakeville's levy was reduced for three consecutive years when the others were raised. City Council Work Session November 12, 2013 Page -5- Feller stated that at the November 19 meeting, Council will review fee structures, the liquor budget and utility fund. Staff will address any questions Council has at that time. The final budget discussions can be held at the November 25'h work session, if necessary. Little asked if it was Council's consensus to accept reductions down to a 3.4% tax levy, with the opportunity to discuss additional reductions. LaBeau asked why potential excess revenues cannot be utilized in replacement of the tax levy. Feller stated that doing that would be an option, however, would jeopardize the goal of maintaining " ist � levy' "from year to year 7 and could cause the 2015 levy to spike. Mayor Little adjourned the meeting at 9:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Judi Hawkins, Deputy Clerk