04-09-02 Worksession
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special Worksession
April 9, 2002
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kirsch at 4:42 p.m.
Members Present:
Martin Kirsch, Mayor; Gertrude Ulrich; John Enger; Susan Rosenberg; and
Sue Sandahl.
Staff Present:
Samantha Orduno, City Manager; Steven Devich, Administrative Services
Director; Bruce Palmborg, Community Development Director; Mike Eastling,
Public Works Director, Jim Topitzhofer, Recreation Services Director; Kevin
McGinty, Fire Services Director; Dan Scott, Public Safety Director; Bill
Fillmore, Municipal Liquor Operations Director; and Cheryl Krumholz,
Recording Secretary.
Item#1
City Manager Orduno said the purpose of the 2003 budget discussion was to seek City
Council direction on a proposed reduction plan to reduce the City's reliance on Local Government Aid
(LGA).
City Manager Orduno reviewed the following:
· Richfield's Population, Number of Employees, General Fund Budget and Market Value for
1990, 1996 and 2002.
. Richfield's Losses, Gains, Projections Housing Units and Retail/Commercial Square
Footage 1990 to Present and Projected to 2004.
· City Property Tax Lost: 2001, Estimated 2002, Estimated 2003 and Estimated Total.
. Trends.
" State Aid Picture 1990, 1996 and 2002.
· Revenue Comparison 1990, 1996 and 2002.
. Consequences of Trends.
fl Proposed Action Steps 2003 Budget and Beyond.
fl Comparison of Comparable Cities Related to Fund Balance 2S a Percentage of
Expenditures.
II Current Position Vacancies.
· Property Taxes Alone do not Fund Basic Public Safety and Fire Services.
· Proposals for:
~Public Safety.
~City Manager's Office and Administrative Services.
~Community Development.
~Public Works.
. Social/Human Services Funding.
Special Worksession Minutes
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April 9, 2002
City Manager Orduno reviewed the License, Permit and Miscellaneous Fee, Five-Year
Perspective. She said recommended increases for 2003 will be presented to the City Council in the
summer.
Recreation Services Director Topitzhofer reviewed Recreation Services expenditures,
revenues, proposal and staffing levels. He said he met with Richfield Superintendent of Schools,
Barbara Devlin and the principals of the Kindergarten through 6th grade schools who use Wood Lake
Nature Center to discuss program funding options, including a sponsorship system, charging a fee
per student; and eliminating or reducing services.
Council Member Enger asked if there are City subsidies for the proposed skate park.
Recreation Services Director Topitzhofer said no.
Council Member Enger asked about advertising on ballfields during tournaments.
Recreation Services Director Topitzhofer said the ordinance was revised to bar banners on
fences; they're permitted on scoreboards only.
Council Member Sandahl suggested charging for concerts. She asked if other metro nature
centers have free admission to the general public.
Recreation Services Director Topitzhofer said metro nature centers are free admission.
City Manager Orduno asked for City Council direction regarding full-service or service limited
to the degree reimbursed for school liaison officers.
Council Member Sandahl suggested reviewing the complete school liaison officer program,
including what costs are saved because of the program.
City Manager Orduno said that City Council support is needed for staff reductions when the
2003 budget is prepared. She said City Council direction is needed on the sensitive issue of
Social/Human Service funding.
Council Member Rosenberg said that if funds are not spent on social service needs up front,
there is suffering in other ways. She said the Storefront funding needs to be reviewed. She said the
Human Services Planner/Coordinator position is important; to cut this budget would be disastrous.
Council Member Sandahl said all the human/social services provided are excellent, but the
County's role is to provide funding.
City Manager Orduno said the social service funding would remain the same unless directed
differently.
Council Member Enger suggested not cutting street sweeping, but rather increase the service
because of the phosphorus ban and the effect on the water supply.
Council Member Enger suggested charging a minimum fee for parking at Wood Lake Nature
Center.
Council Member Rosenberg suggested the relationship and services between Wood Lake
Nature Center and the school district be maintained.
Council Member Sandahl supported the fee for Wood Lake Nature Center parking. She
suggested Wood Lake Nature Center consider a general public membership program to use the
center, but understood enforcement could be difficult.
Council Member Ulrich said she would provide the City Manager with written comments after
giving the proposed budget plan more thought.
Council Member Sandahl said the fees for service should be gradually increased so the
adjustments are not so dramatic.
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Special Worksession Minutes
-3-
April 9, 2002
Council Member Enger suggested a Special City Council meeting to closely review the
License, Permit and Miscellaneous Fee Schedule.
Council Member Sandahl said she did not need to review each fee; staff could make their
recommendation to the City Council.
City Manager Orduno said the Association of Metropolitan Municipalities (AMM) Fee Schedule
is being reviewed by staff in relation to the City's fees for services.
Public Safety Director Scott said a liquor compliance check was conducted recently - 38
establishments were checked, six failed. He asked if the City Council wished staff to adjust the time
frame and penalty fee between offenses before bringing the current six establishments before the
City Council.
Council Member Enger said the adjustments should be made before the City Council
considers the penalties for the six establishments who failed.
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:25 p.m.
Date Approved: April 23. 2002
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City Manager /
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Cheryl Kfumho z \
Recording Secretary