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11-01-1993 SpecialCITY OF RICHFIELD, MINNESOTA SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING December 1, 1993 MEMBERS PRESENT: Martin Kirsch, Mayor.; Michael Sandahl; Susan Rosenberg; Russ Susag; and Don Priebe. STAFF PRESENT: James Prosser, City Manager; Steven Devich, Administrative Services Director; Donald Fondrick, Community Services Director; Byron Wallace, Community Development Director; Jack Erskine, Public Safety Director; William Fillmore, Liquor Operations Director; Bridget Walstrom, Finance Manager; and Marlys Solt, City Clerk's office. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kirsch at 7:00 p.m. Item #1 PUBLIC HEARING ON THE CITY OF RICHFIELD 1993 REVISED/ 1994 PROPOSED BUDGET AND 1994 PROPOSED TAX LEVY City Manager Prosser reviewed the Truth-in-Taxation and budget review process schedule. Administrative Services Director Devich reviewed the following issues: • distribution of a 1994 property tax dollar to local schools, county and city services, • general fund revenues, • local government aid, • general fund expenditures, • percent of total budget representing total compensation costs for employees, • the effect of the budget increase on the proposed property tax levy, • budgeted expenditures for and number of independent contractors and consultant expenditures, • full and part-time employees by classification, • general fund expenditures in constant dollars, • 1994 proposed tax levy, • 1993 tax capacity, • estimated 1994 property tax levy impact on an $85,000 home. Gerald Gearhart, 6525 Bloomington Avenue, spoke in opposition to the proposed fourth liquor store. He presented extensive information about the toxicology of alcohol and the negative physical affects of alcohol. Willard Rions, 6840 Sheridan Avenue, discussed issues related to the assessed market value of his home, property taxes, and questioned the assessment to homeowners for the snowplowing of alleys. Anthony Kalkis, 6238 Fourth Avenue, stated concern that taxes are too high. Special Meeting Minutes -2- December 1, 1993 Minou Hussin, 7635 Logan Avenue, stated concerns about taxes, the assessed market value of his property, and building inspection practices. Janet Ose, 6824 10th Avenue, spoke in opposition to the proposed fourth liquor store and suggested the City find other alternatives to raise revenues for parks. Melissa Williams,: 6715 Portland Avenue, spoke in opposition to the proposed fourth liquor store. She also urged citizens to contact their Legislators to support legislation to reimburse Richfield with replacement aid for the loss of tax base resulting from the buyout of homes in New Ford Town. Steve Ose, 6824 10th Avenue, spoke in opposition to the proposed fourth liquor store citing the negative impact of liquor on students. Andy Ashmead, 6338 11th Avenue, spoke in opposition to the proposed fourth liquor store. Hrett Kleeberger, 6738 12th Avenue, spoke in opposition to the proposed fourth liquor store citing the negative impact of liquor ©~ stud~c~ts. John Lundquist, 1701 West 72nd Street, stated concerns about increased property taxes. Dr. David B. Hull, 6745 Penn Avenue, stated concerns about increased property taxes-and regulations which inhibit his continued renting out part of his house. LaVonne Seemann, 6808 Third Avenue, stated concerns about increased property taxes and opposition to the proposed fourth liquor store. Kim Shotwell, 7333 Upton Avenue, spoke in opposition to the proposed fourth liquor store citing the impact of alcohol on students. Lawrence Wozniczka, 6744 Wentworth Avenue, read a letter (Clerk's File No. C-346) listing ten issues for Council consideration and asking that the Council reduce the property tax levy and utility fees. Adam Larson, 6744 11th Avenue, spoke in opposition to the fourth liquor store citing the negative impact of liquor on students. Diane Nichols, 7126 Clinton Avenue, asked questions regarding the assessed market values and how property taxes are determined. Jennifer Vietmeier, 7333 Nicollet Avenue, spoke in opposition to the proposed fourth liquor store. Council Member Priebe explained that the fourth liquor store is a proposal from the City Manager brought to the Council for decision. He stated that he has previously announced his intention to vote against a fourth liquor store. n 0 Special Meeting Minutes -3- December 1, 1993 Mary Ann Ashmead, 6338 11th Avenue, spoke in opposition to the proposed fourth liquor store citing the link of alcohol to violent crimes. Peggy Glaub, 7209 12th Avenue, spoke in opposition to the proposed fourth liquor store and suggested that the liquor stores • be sold to private enterprise. Tom Larson, 6744 11th Avenue, spoke in opposition to the proposed fourth liquor store and suggested the City get out of the liquor business. Laura McRae, 7445 5th Avenue, questioned why the Council tells kids not to use alcohol while at the same time has stores that sell alcohol. Paul Brabant, 6815 Chicago Avenue, stated that many youth get their liquor from their parent's liquor cabinet and thanked the youth for interest in this issue. Nancy Johnson, 7045 Park Avenue, stated concern about the availability of liquor to young people and hoped that alternatives other than a fourth store could be found for funding park improvements. Jean Fox, 6616 Sheridan Avenue, stated concern that this not be made a moral issue since whether one drinks alcohol or not. should be a personal choice. She stressed the importance of education and increased penalties for abuse of alcohol and noted that Richfield's liquor stores are very serious about checking identification. She stated that the Council should decide on the merits of whether it is appropriate to add a fourth liquor store to help fund park improvements. Council Member Susag stated that the liquor store profits are used for the capital improvements of parks, but that park maintenance is funded from general fund tax dollars. Richard Whitmer, 7627 Blaisdell Avenue, asked questions regarding the funding for the miniature golf, and waterslide enterprise funds, and the repair of the ice arena roof. City Manager Prosser reviewed the internal fund sources that paid for the construction of these features and the status of the current level of revenues for the payback. He reviewed the status of the ice arena roof repair noting the increased cost due to the removal of asbestos roofing material. Council Member Priebe reviewed the performance of miniature golf and waterslide enterprise funds indicating that the actual revenues were considerably less than the projected revenues which had been given at the time the features were built. City Manager Prosser reviewed the Truth-in-Taxation process that requires that the Council action on the budget and tax levy be taken at a meeting separate from the public hearing. He stated it was important that all public testimony be received prior to the date of Council action. Special Meeting Minutes -4- December 1, 1993 Mayor Kirsch asked if anyone else wished to speak before the close of the public hearing and no one came forward. M/Susag, S/Sandahl to close the public hearing. Motion carried 5-0. Council Member Priebe presented slides and data regarding the actual vs. forecast performance of various enterprise funds. He indicated that it would not be a good investment to build a fourth liquor store. He reviewed a comparative evaluation of the municipal stores vs. private enterprise factoring in the loss of property tax revenue. Council Member Priebe then reviewed loss of property tax base resulting from the City purchase of the Cloverleaf site, Lampert site, and loss of homes due to the 77th Street Project. He indicated he would present information related to the water and sewer funds at next meeting since it was not brought up at this public hearing. Council Member Susag asked questions regarding the funding of communication activities from the Cable TV fund to reduce the tax levy. Citg~ E'da~aager ~'r®ssc~c ravic:wed ~th~ availability and xuture stability of the Cable TV fund. Council Member Sandahl informed the public about the availability of the state rebate program for those whose property taxes had increased by over 12$. Discussion followed regarding the scheduling of the Council decision on the budget issues such as the fourth liquor store, final budget, and tax levy with the consensus the decisions be made at the December 13, 1994 City Council meeting. M/Priebe, S/Rosenberg to schedule consideration of the revised 1993, Proposed 1994 Budget and 1994 Proposed Property Tax Levy for the December 13, 1994 City Council meeting. Motion carried 5-0. ~~Z~Ii~_~:a~~4.~ The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 9:20 p.m. Date Approved: 12/13/93 Thomas P. Ferber City Clerk 1 n J. K sch Mayor D. Prosser Manager