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10-05-1992 Study SessionCITY OF RICHFIELD, MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION October 5, 1992 MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Martin Kirsch; William Bullock; Ivan Ludeman; Michael Sandahl; and Kristal Stokes. STAFF PRESENT: James Prosser, City Manager; Steven Devich, Administrative Services Director; Thomas P. Ferber, City Clerk; Donald Fondrick; Community Services Director; Jack-Erskine, Public Safety Director; Byron Wallace, Community Development Director; William Fillmore, Liquor Operations Director; and Bridget Walstrom, Finance Manager. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kirsch at 7:00 p.m. Item #I DISCUSSION OF KENNEL LICENSES. S.S. LETTER NO. 35 City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 35 regarding residential kennel licenses and the number of animals allowed in a home. Public Safety Director Erskine reviewed the number of current residential kennel license holders and a survey of licensing practices and fees that exist in other communities. Council Member Ludeman suggested that perhaps allowing 2 dogs and 2 cats in a home is enough. Public Safety Director Erskine stated that the residential kennel license provides an opportunity to inspect the premises without a complaint, which is not the case with only an animal license. Discussion followed regarding animal related complaints and enforcement actions. It was noted that the problem is most often not the number of animals, but one animal or the total of individual animals in the neighborhood area. Council Member Stokes asked if the City could limit the number of residential kennels allowed in the City. Public Safety Director Erskine stated that the City Attorney indicated that the City could not limit the number of residential kennels. Council Member Ludeman suggested raising the residential kennel license fee. It was the consensus of the City Council that an increase in the residential kennel license fee from $60 to S85 be proposed in the Appendix D fee resolution for consideration by the Council at the budget hearing. Study Session Minutes -2- October 5, 1992 Item #II DISCUSSION OF REFUNDING GENERAL OBLIGATION STORM SEWER REVENUE BONDS OF 1986. S.S. LETTER NO. 36 City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 36 regarding the possible refunding of the 1986 $2,525,000 General Obligation Storm Sewer Revenue Honds. Discussion followed regarding the present day savings and cost of the refunding. It was the consensus of the City Council that City staff proceed to schedule consideration of Council action on this item. Item #iIi POLICY AND STRATEGY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AIRPORT RELATED ISSUES. S.S. LETTER NO. 37 City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 37 regarding policy and strategy recommendations for the following airp©rt issues • New Ford Town/Rich Acres Acquisition Status George Szafranski, New Ford Town/Rich Acres Neighborhood Advisory Committee, reported on the status of the preparation of the FAA preapplication form and documentation by MAC consultants and the status of the preparation of the Environmental Assessment (E.A.) Mike Hutchinson, New Ford Town/Rich Acres Neighborhood Advisory Committee, reported that a resident is circulating a petition against the buyout and giving misleading information. The committee will address this issue in its next newsletter. • MAC Part 150 Program Status • Draft EIS for Proposed Extension of Runway 4-22 • MSP Symposia • Comments on the Decision Document for the Dual Track Mayor Airport Strategy • Northwest Airlines Announcement to Exceed Voluntary Noise Limits at MSP Airport Council Member Stokes reviewed MSAC action regarding a possible noise ordinance. • Noise Mitigation Funding Legislation Interpretation Study Session Minutes -3- October 5, 1992 Item #IV REVIEW OF 1992 REVISED/1993 PROPOSED BUDGET. S.S.LETTER NO. 38 City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 38 regarding the 1992 Revised/1993 Proposed Budgets. Administrative Services Director Devich reviewed graphics and detailed information regarding the following issues: * Tax levy components * Tax levy calculations * Tax capacity and tax levy impact on a 585,000 Richfield house * Loss of local tax capacity base sales tax impact * Local tax analysis * Employee pay plans * Stanton wage survey comparisons * Comparable worth impact on salaries Lawrence Wozniczka, 6744 Wentworth Avenue, stated concerns and questions about the following: * Tax levy increase impact of $20 per year on a $85,000 house * City needs to economize and have mercy on taxpayers * General Fund Revenues/figures * Administrative Services Director's salary * Administrative Services personal services costs * Salaries of all City employees should be published in the newspaper * Concerns about comparable worth and salaries of those such as police sergeant should be lowered to keep other's wages down * Airport Budget-difference in HRA and City budget * Approval of expenditures for airport budget * The City could get people to do the same fobs for smaller salaries * The number of departments and department directors * Salary increases for employees should be individually reviewed by the City Council. * Employees do not need such large salaries to make a living Council Member Sandahl reviewed the state tax system and regressive impact of it. He explained the City Manager form of government and how it operated regarding policy and operational decisions. Mr. Sandahl stated the City must be concerned with paying competitive wages for the assigned responsibilities. Administrative Services Director Devich reviewed detailed facts regarding the comparable analysis of General Fund revenues and the property tax limitation analysis. Study Session Minutes -4- October 5, 1992 Council Member Ludeman reviewed his analysis of the impact of state mandates, rescinding the sales tax increase dedication to the Local Government Trust Fund, comparable worth, the imposition of the sales tax on municipalities, and the salary structure on the tax levy. Council Member Bullock reviewed the importance of maintaining competitive wages to attract and retain quality employees. City Manager Prosser reviewed the City!s salary structure and department organization compared to other cities. Mr. Prosser noted the right of general services and management employees to organize into union bargaining units, which has happened at the Richfield Schools and other cities. This results in higher personal service costs and less flexibility. Mr. Prosser reviewed the accountability of the airport expenditures. Council Member Ludeman asked when the Capital Improvement Budget (C.I.B.) would be considered. City Manager Prosser stated the Planning Commission and Community Services Commission will be reviewing the C.I.B. in I,tovember ice make a Pecommen~laici®n t® the Ci-~y Council regarding park improvement spending priorities for City Council consideration. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned by unanimous Date Approved: 10/12/92 ~~~Z-L1 J Thomas P. Ferber City Clerk at 9:32 p.m. °`~ ~ P 1~~ ~ . Martin J: Ki ch Mayor Jam s D. Prosser Ci Manager