07-27-04 Worksession
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special Worksession
July 27,2004
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kirsch at 8:09 p.m.
Council Members
Present:
Martin Kirsch, Mayor; Susan Rosenberg; Gertrude Ulrich; John Enger; and
Sue Sandahl.
Staff Present:
Samantha Orduno, City Manager; Steve Devich, Administrative Services
Director; Dan Scott, Public Safety Director; Bruce Palmborg, Community
Development Director; Mike Eastling, Public Works Director; Jim Topitzhofer,
Recreation Services Director; Brad Sveum, Acting Fire Services Director; Bill
Fillmore, Liquor Operations Director; Chris Regis, Finance Manager; and
Cheryl Krumholz, Recording Secretary.
Item #1
City Manager Orduno reviewed 2005 budget priorities and financial scenarios to ensure the
budget preparation was headed in the direction the City Council desired.
. Bring Fire & Police to full strength
. Family-Friendly Initiative
. Salary adjustments for employees
. Maintain current staffing levels
. Increase in funding for Boards and Commissions
. Multi-family housing strategy
. Continue teen and family recreation programs
. Maintain senior programs, Marathon
. Continue to secure revenue from CC rentals
. Funding for data archive imaging
. Continue to monitor Shops at Lyndale liquor store for profitability
. Pursue 66th/Portland interchange improvements
. Complete housing study
. Increases in all contracts, most vendors, cost of fuel
Council Member Enger asked about the impact of Best Buy on the Shops at Lyndale liquor
store.
City Manager Orduno explained there has been some increase, but not as much as hoped.
Special Worksession Minutes
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July 27,2004
Council Member Enger said he understood Local Government Aid (LGA) was restored
because the City of St. Paul was not losing aid so he thought Richfield was not losing, too.
Administrative Services Director Devich explained Richfield is on the opposite page of St. Paul
and Minneapolis for LGA.
City Manager Orduno stated it was not prudent to rely on LGA in the future because as long
as it is received, the City is an easy target.
City Manager Orduno explained the policy decisions needing to be made since Richfield will
have a permanent reduction of approximately $900,000 in LGA for 2005.
. Use of $600,000 LGA 2004 set aside in 2005
. Continued reduction of LGA dependence in 2005
She added that any decision will increase property taxes.
Council Member Sandahl suggested taking a conservative view by reducing the estimated
LGA and levy for the difference.
City Manager Orduno said scenarios will be prepared indicating different impacts.
Council Member Sandahl stated the street light user fee could be included as an option.
City Manager Orduno reviewed the use of franchise fee revenues and asked the City Council
if the fees should continue and if the commitment of use (boulevard trees, City Hall improvements
and street maintenance) should change. She also asked if equipment certificates should continue.
City Manager Orduno explained the budget includes the City's own dispatching services and
will continue to do so unless the City Council directs differently. She added the joint dispatching
study preliminary results do not indicate a cost savings.
City Manager Orduno stated the County has now decided to offer dispatch services to
interested communities at no operating cost to the cities. The County will consider this issue in
committee for Board action.
Council Member Enger suggested Richfield not go with the County because keeping Richfield
dispatch is worth the cost for saving lives.
City Manager Orduno said the quality of response time needs to be considered, not just cost
savings.
The City Council consensus was to continue to budget for Richfield dispatching services.
The City Council consensus was to continue the franchise fees and usage commitments.
City Manager Orduno stated the franchise fees will be reviewed annually as part of the budget
process.
Mayor Kirsch announced there is a Special City Council Budget Worksession on August 18 at
5:30 p.m.
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:45 p.m.
Special Worksession Minutes
Date Approved: AU9;ust 10. 2004
CA" ~~
cherylKfumhol
Recording Secretary
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July 27,2004
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