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HomeMy WebLinkAbout19840924_specialMINUTES OF SPECIAL BUDGET MEETING OF THE EDINA CITY COUNCIL HELD AT CITY HALL SEPTEMBER 24, 1984 3:30 P.M. 159 Mayor Courtney called the meeting to order at 3:40 p.m. Members Schmidt, Turner, Courtney. and Member Richards entered at 4:OO p.m. Answering rollcall were Member Bredesen entered the meeting at 3:45 p.m. Mrs. Canny Wright, Chairman of the Human Relations Commission, reported that it is the consensus of the Commission, after reviewing the budget request of Storefront/ Youth Action, to recommend full support of their request of $14,650 for the Chemical Abuse Coordinator position. Member Turner and Mrs. Micki Gamer also spoke in support of the budget request of Storefront/Youth Action. PARAMEDIC PROGRAM DISCUSSED; PUBLIC COMMENT HEARD. number of persons were present because of their concern over the future of the Mayor Courtney noted that a paramedic program in the City. continuing paramedic service to the residents of the City, but under consideration is how that service will be provided and funded. concern is the funding of the positions so that there is an adequate number of paramedics. position to become firemen only. paramedic and it is hoped this recommendation will provide the adequate manpower so that paraiuedic service can continue to be.provided by the City. Mr. Rosland pointed out that if paramedics continue to opt out of the program due to burnout, alternatives for providing the services will need to be considered. '.It was noted that presently only Edina and St. Paul provide paramedic service to their residents and that Burnsville is beginning a paramedic program. receive paramedic service from Hennepin County or from private companies. following spoke in support of continuing to have the City provide paramedics: James Kelsey, 5720 Kemrich Drive; an unidentified gentleman; Bob Soelberg, 5205 Tifton Avenue; the security supervisor at 7500 York Avenue; Doug Erickson, 5020 Richmond Drive; Sherrill Grams, nurse at Edina Care Center; and Lewis Jones. Member Richards commented that the issue of the paramedic service is a very difficult and complex one that the staff and Council has been grappling with and that no defini- tive answers have been reached that will resolve this issue forever. He stated further that he did not think it was right for:persons who had signed on as para- medics to now file a grievance with the union because they did not want to continue as paramedics. Member Richards pointed out that as elected officials the Council bas the responsibility of seeing that the tax dollars are properly allocated and that the best possible service be given for those dollars. He added that there are still questions to be asked and answered in regard to the issue. Mr. Rosland pointed out that in order for the recommendation to hire one additional paramedic to work there has to be a buy-in by present personnel and that it is not a total financial issue but there are other problems that must be resolved to preserve the present paramedic program. Member Schmidt stated that she has felt that almost whatever the cost of the paramedic program it was worth having because it has functioned so well in the community. She had suggested considering hiring persons solely as paramedics and not have them connected with the Fire Department to avoid the union involvement. review the way services are delivered to the citizens to make sure they get the best possible service in the most efficient manner. has spent at least the last six months in looking at the way we deliver services in the City, including the paramedic service. presented, Member Turner submitted that the one before the Council now is the best one that is available since the one she was interested in, namely provision by a hospital, is not available. of the proposal which would be one new man, plus training up ,of three current fire fighters, increase in paramedic supplement, gradual change in administrative structure and increase in fees. comments made by Members Richards and Turner, but had questions as how we fund the recommendation. He added that he wanted the paramedic service to be the first class service it has been regardless of how it is delivered, but if there is a way to do it as effectively for less money then he would support that because that is the responsibility he had been charged with when elected to the Council. ion followed on the number of calls since the 911 system was put in place, paramedic workload per shift, number of shifts worked and salary. budget recommendation. The Council then reviewed the proposed budget for the Park and Kecreation Depart- ment, noting that expenditures are 5% higher than last year's appropriation. was noted that the City is contracting for services which the present staff cannot provide,rather than adding additional personnel. He commented that there is no intention of dis- Mr. Rosland explained that the Under the present system, paramedics have been able to opt out of the The budget request would provide one additional All other communities The Member Turner commented that every year the Council must She pointed out that the Council Of the numerous proposals that have been She added that she would support the various aspects Member Bredesen stated he concuked with the Discuss- No action was taken on the It The Council then directed the staff.to prepare the following documentation: 1) salary comparisions, . .. 2) suggested budget reductions to an approximate 5% overdl budget increase over 1984, and 3) recommended capital funding progrsm. The next budget discussion meeting was set for Wednesday, September 26, 6:30 p.m. with the formal adoption of the budget to be accomplished in the Regular Meeting of October 1, 1984. Mgyor Courtney adjourned the meeting at 5:45 p.m. * 1 MINUTES OF SPECIAL BUDGET MEETING OF THE EDINA CITY COUNCIL HELD AT CITY HALL SEPTIDBER 26, 1984 6:30 P.M. Answering rollcall were Members Richards, Schmidt, Turner and Mayor Courtney. Mr. Rosland recalled that the Council had asked the staff to prepare a schedule of salary comparisions, suggested budget reductions and a recommended capital funding program for their review. - Council was presented with a Comparision - Maximum Yearly Salary Reported in Stanton Survey of the top 10 Group V cities together with a Comparision - Yearly Percentage of Increase in support of the proposed 5% overall salary increase for the 1985 Budget. Mr. Rosland presented the following recommendations from the Finance Director for 1) That the Park Fund be combined with the General Fund as of December 31, 1984. 23 That the Waterworks Fund and the Sewer Rental Fund be combined as of December 31, 3) That a Trust Fund be established during 1984 for the purpose of holding funds .to pay 1985 and 1986 installments for bonds and interest of Improvement Bond Redemption Fund I. That a Working Capital Fund be established by transferring the remainder of the accounts of the Improvement Bond Redemption Fund, and the Permanent Improve- ment Revolving Funds as of December 31, 1984. Capital Fund be used for capital improvement per Capital Improvement Budget. consideration by the Council: 9 . 1984. The new fund shall be the Utilities Fund. 4) Any earnings of the Working Council was then presented with a Working Capital Plan for years 1985-1989. proposed projects for 1985 total $-100,000 and for 1986 the proposed projects tota2 $250,000. The proposed projects were discussed briefly. Mr. Rosland recommended that the Council approve the concept of a Capital Budget. The The Council Members next reviewed a list of possible Reductions to the 1985 BudgetY ’ totaling $188,221.00. final adoption of the 1985 Budget could be made at the October 1,.1984 Council Meeting. Mayor Courtney adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m. The proposed reductions were thoroughly discussed so that . ..