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10-04-10 WorksessionJ SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION MINUTES Richfield, Minnesota Special City Council Worksession October 4, 2010 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Mayor Goettel at 5:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Council Members Present: Debbie Goettel, Mayor; Pat Elliott; Fred Wroge; Sue Sandahl; and Tom Fitzhenry. Staff Present: Steven L. Devich, City Manager; Mike Eastling, Public Works Director; John Stark, Community Development Director; Barry Fritz, Public Safety Director; Jim Topitzhofer, Recreation Services Director; Brad Sveum, Fire Services Director; Bill Fillmore, Municipal Liquor Operations Director; Chris Regis, Finance Manager; Todd Sandell, Deputy Public Safety Director/Chief; and Cheryl Krumholz, Recording Secretary. Item #1 DISCUSSION REGARDING 2011 PROPOSED BUDGET AND TAX LEVY Mayor Goettel requested an explanation regarding the proposed financial plan if no Local Government Aid is received in 2011. City Manager Devich discussed options that could be presented to the City Council; including potential service and staff reductions, spending cash on hand, capital expenditures and on-going operations costs. Mayor Goettel suggested the creative budget management that is taking place to reduce costs be communicated to the public. Public Works Director Eastling discussed the street maintenance program. Council Member Wroge suggested the City Council discuss establishing a bond or permit process required by property owners of vacant property, similar to the City of Minneapolis. Special Worksession Minutes -2- October 4, 2010 Council Member Sandahl questioned if funding was in the budget for City Council attendance at out of state conferences, i.e., National League of Cities. She encouraged Council Members to attend because of the importance of networking and learning about other cities. City Manager Devich responded that funds for travel are budgeted but reduced. Council Member Sandahl discussed budgeting for the renaming of 76th Street for better identification. Public Works Director Eastling provided an update on MnDOT's regional re-prioritization of projects, including the 77th Street underpass. Council Member Fitzhenry requested an update on the Fire Department delivery services models. Fire Services Director Sveum discussed the first responder reimbursement revenue source authorized by the joint powers agreement with the State and the residency response time legislation. City Manager Devich discussed the recent grant received to hire two Firefighters for two years which reduces overtime costs and provides time to review the models. Discussion by the City Council will still need to take place regarding fire services delivery. Mayor Goettel requested the future budget include a curbside cleanup and residential garbage pickup options. Council Member Wroge requested the City Manager discuss the financial reserves. City Manager Devich explained the City's level of financial reserves and that governmental accounting requires segregation of some funds. He discussed the General Fund, Enterprise Funds, Special Revenue Fund, Internal Services Fund and Debt Service Fund. Finance Manager Regis discussed the City's financial investment portfolio. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 7:10 p.m. Date Approved: October 12, 2010 Cheryl Krumhoiz Recording Secretary C' M Std L. Devi City Manager