12-03-07 Special
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special City Council Meeting
December 3, 2007
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Goettel at 7:00 p.m.
Members Present:
Debbie Goettel, Mayor; Susan Rosenberg; Sue Sandahl and Bill Kilian.
Members
Not Present:
Fred Wroge.
Staff Present:
Steve Devich, City Manager; Barry Fritz, Acting Public Safety Director;
Mike Eastling, Public Works Director; Jim Topitzhofer, Recreation Services
Director; Bruce Palmborg, Community Development Director; Brad Sveum,
Fire Services Director; Bill Fillmore, Liquor Operations Director; Chris
Regis, Finance Manager; and Cheryl Krumholz, Recording Secretary.
M/Sandahl, S/Kilian to excuse the absence of Council Member Wroae from the December
3. 2007 Special City Council Meetina.
Motion carried 4-0.
Item #1
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'I~~ :~~~AR,DIt-.lG',2098:~ROP~RTY TAX.
. QSEJ):.BU~GET~ND PROPOSED 2008
.SE,YVERUTILlTY' RATES S.R. NO. 314
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City Manager Devich stated the Truth-in-Taxation (TNT) meeting tonight will discuss the
proposed 2008 property tax levy, not property assessed value. The property valuation is handled
in the spring with the Hennepin County Open Book process or by contacting the Assessor's office.
Finance Manager Regis made a presentation, 2008 Proposed Budget & Tax Levy, Local
Services Paid by Local Taxes. (Clerk's File No. 434)
City Manager Devich explained the General Fund increase in personnel costs, including
wages, health insurance and mandated pension costs. The levy is also increased due to the debt
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December 3, 2007
service on the bonds for the new maintenance facility and 66th Street and Richfield Parkway
intersection improvements.
City Manager Devich explained the bulk of the increase of 2008 expenditures is in Public
Safety and Fire Services, including fire protection and the property maintenance inspection
program as priorities established by the City Council and the community. Rolling stock costs are
reflective of the funding needed annually for the maintenance of vehicles.
Council Member Sandahl asked about the expected Local Government Aid (LGA)
allocation.
Finance Manager Regis explained the anticipated LGA allocation but the Legislature could
decide to retain this funding to address the recently reported State deficit.
City Manager Devich stated he would be surprised if the State kept the LGA allocation due
to Richfield because of the reported deficit; however, if the economy declines, it could change. He
discussed the last portion of the LGA set aside in 2004/2005 has been used, and the LGA set
aside in 2006/2007 will be used if this year's LGA allocation is not received.
Council Member Sandahl expressed concern regarding the LGA's fluctuating formula.
Mayor Goettel stated that if the LGA allocation is received in 2008, it could take a down turn
in 2009 due to the economy. She said she spoke with Representative Linda Slocum who agreed
to carry the LGA formula concerns to the Legislature, including setting maximums and minimums
on LGA so cities can do long-term budgeting.
Mayor Goettel opened the public hearing and requested that speakers try to limit their time
to five minutes.
Council Member Sandahl said the time limit is typically three minutes.
Mayor Goettel stated the three minutes applied to the Open Forum. She said she received
clarification from the City Attorney that the Mayor could set the public speaking time limit during the
meeting.
Brad Martin, 6239/6241 Xerxes Avenue, spoke about his property tax statement and asked
about the recourse to appeal the assessed value.
City Manager Devich explained the Hennepin County Open Book process conducted in the
spring. He suggested Mr. Martin contact the Council Assessor's office.
Henry Mattila, 6866 Fourth Avenue, expressed concern about his property tax increase. He
also suggested reducing or eliminating the number of fire stations.
Jim DeBerg, 7520 Morgan Avenue, expressed concern about his increased property tax
and assessed value.
City Manager Devich explained the different taxing jurisdictions included in property taxes
and that tonight's discussion is only about the City's portion. He requested Mr. DeBerg speak with
the County Assessor's office regarding his property's assessed value.
Joel Schnell, 6408 Pleasant Avenue, spoke about his concerns related to an additional
increase in property taxes when the new City Hall is built and residents being given the opportunity
to vote on the project
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December 3, 2007
Finance Manager Regis stated the City Council makes the final decision on building a new
City Hall. He explained the funding includes a large portion being paid with a debt service tax levy,
but the final cost of the project is unknown. He also discussed the options related to a referendum
on the project.
Heidi Gaibor, 6915 Wentworth Avenue, spoke about the increase in property taxes. She
asked about the personnel pension increase.
Finance Manager Regis explained Police and Fire personnel have the largest increases
because they do not contribute to FICA.
Ms. Gaibor suggested the City Council consider changing the snowplowing ordinance from
a 2" to 3" depth to save money. She questioned the enforcement of the ordinance.
City Manager Devich stated that during the recent snow event, 99 tickets were issued and
96 cars were towed. He said some residents are unhappy because their vehiCle was towed and
some residents are unhappy because vehicles were not towed. He added that it is a City Council
policy to establish the snow depth for snowplowing.
Ms. Gaibor suggested the City not conduct community surveys with confusing and puzzling
results.
City Manager Devich stated that most cities conduct community surveys every five to seven
years, but Richfield had not conducted one since 1997.
Mayor Goettel said more information in the survey would have been preferred but due to
the cost, basic questions were asked.
Council Member Kilian said the complete survey results were available for the public to
review. He said snowplowing makes for safer streets with fewer accidents, which could impact
insurance rates. He added that to impact taxes, services need to be cut. The survey results
indicated residents live here because of the City services.
Council Member Sandahl added that Richfield's snowplowing received high ratings in the
survey.
Ms Gaiborsuggested a community open forum to discuss City services and obtain
feedback on services residents would consider reducing or increasing.
Larry Wozniczka, 6744 Wentworth Avenue, spoke about the increase in his property taxes.
He asked about the impact of the HRA levy on his taxes. He suggested the maximum HRA tax
levy set by the HRA be reviewed again, the City Council consider using the fair market value of the
land at 17th Avenue to pay back part of the intersection improvement bond, and the maintenance
facility bond debt service be reduced by utility fees since water and wastewater divisions will be
located at this site.
Council Member Sandahl asked Mr. Wozniczka if he was suggesting that utility fees be
increased to reduce property taxes.
Mr. Wozniczka stated he believed the utility rates to be competitive already.
Finance Manager Regis stated the approximate impact of the HRA levy on his property
before the homestead credit was applied.
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December 3, 2007
City Manager Devich explained the amount of the maintenance facility bond on the property
taxes is approximately less than one-half of the total cost of the project. Usage and square footage
were assessed and charged to the utilities fund to reduce the front end of the bond. Enterprise
Funds cannot be disproportionately charged.
Finance Manager Regis explained the transfers from the Utility Funds and Central Garage
Fund. He added that the sale proceeds of the current garage site would be applied to the bond
principal.
City Manager Devich responded that deferring capital infrastructure changes is a City
Council decision.
Council Member Sandahl stated the City's portion of the property tax includes an
approximate 3% General Fund increase and an approximate 5% increase due to the issuance of
the two bonds. The City Council approved the bonds and now it is being reflected in property
taxes.
M/Kilian, S/Rosenberg to close the public hearina.
Motion carried 4-0.
Mayor Goettel stated the Truth-in-Taxation public hearing was concluded. Final action on
the 2008 property tax levy and 2007 Revised/2008 Proposed Budget and 2008 water, wastewater
and stormsewer utility rates is scheduled for the December 11, 2007 Regular City Council meeting.
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:08 p.m.
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Cheryl Kru holz
Recording Secretary
Date Approved: December 11, 2007