12-30-08 Worksession
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special Worksession
December 30, 2008
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Goettel at 6:15 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Debbie Goettel, Mayor; Susan Rosenberg; Fred Wroge; Sue Sandahl; and
Bill Kilian.
Staff Present: Steven L. Devich, City Manager; Mike Eastling, Public Works Director; John
Stark, Community Development Director; Jim Topitzhofer, Recreation
Services Director; Brad Sveum, Fire Services Director; Bill Fillmore,
Municipal Liquor Operations Director; Barry Fritz, Public Safety Director;
Chris Regis, Finance Manager; Pam Dmytrenko, Assistant to the City
Manager; and Cheryl Krumholz, Recording Secretary.
Item # I DISCUSSION REGARDING THE STATE OF MINNESOTA PROJECTED DEFICIT
AND ADDRESSING ITS IMPACT ON THE CITY OF RICHFIELD 2008-2009 BUDGET
City Manager Devich discussed the 2008 Local Government Aid (LGA) allotment reduction
from the State to the City announced by Governor Pawlenty. He said the City should be able to
financially handle the 2008 reduction with reduced purchases, vacant staff positions held open, and a
one-time use of non-General Fund reserves. He cautioned depleting the General Fund reserve
because it impacts the City’s bond rating.
City Manager Devich discussed the potential impacts of the reduction of the 2009 LGA
allotment and presented several options to lower operating costs. He also presented several options to
increase revenues in 2009.
City Manager Devich stated options discussed tonight wille be presented to the City Council for
policy decisions. The City should plan for the worst case scenario of LGA reduction impacts, but
maintain the high degree of service satisfaction.
The City Council consensus was to direct the City Manager to proceed with preparing an
employee early retirement incentive package.
Special Worksession Minutes -2- December 30, 2008
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:57 p.m.
Date Approved: January 13, 2009
Cheryl K umholz
Recording Secretary
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