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HomeMy WebLinkAbout19940818_special54 HINiTTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE EDINA CITY COUNCIL HELD AT CITY HBLL I AUGUST 18, 1994 - 5:OO P.H. ROILCAIL Answering rollcall were Members Paulus, Rice, Smith and Mayor Richards. Member Kelly arrived at 5:04 P.M. Mayor Richards stated that the purpose of the special meeting was to begin the public hearing process on the preliminary 1995 Budget so the City's proposed tax levy for 1995 can be certified to the County Auditor by September 15, 1994. said the meeting would focus on proposed non-departmental expenditures and testimony from advisory board/commission members. He DRAF" 1995 BUDGET PRESENTED AND REVIEWED Manager Rosland presented the draft 1995 Budget for the City of Edina and noted that the proposed budget is based upon the projections presented to Council during the previous "budget assumptions" meetings and reasonable reflects the guidelines established by the Council at those sessions. The proposed 1995 General Fund Expenditures are $15,654,928 which is a 3.93 percent increase from 1994 and represents a tax dollar increase of 3.32 percent. Human Relations Commission Budeet John Crist, HRC Chair, explained that their budget process began in June when the Commission received the human service proposals for 1995 funding. The Commissioners proceeded to investigate these proposals in preparation for two hearings on July 12 and July 19. At these hearings, the agencies made presentations and answered questions concerning their proposals. The Commission met on August 10 and after thorough study and careful deliberation would recommend that the Council fund the following: Storefrontflouth Action $35,150.00, Senior Community Services $9,400.00, VEAP $4,750.00, Cornerstone Advocacy Service $4,450.00, West Suburban Mediation Center $2,150.00, Share-A- Home $2,100.00, Women in Transition $1,700.00, FACES $1,700.00, Senior Linkage Line $476.00, Chemical Health Advisory Committee $374.00, and various line items of $2,400.00 (includes $1,000.00 for cultural event) for a total HRC budget of $64,650.00. He noted that FACES is a new grassroots organization seeking to address issues of race/ethnicity in the schools and the community by raising the consciousness level of all Edina students and staff with regard to culture, race and the effects of prejudice, and to serve as a resource to the community agency in this regard. Mr. Crist pointed out that in each case the HRC recommended amount is less than the amount requested by the agency; however, no agency was turned down totally. FACES will interact with the schools and the community. The Council Members requested additional information on how Nancy Atchison, SHeRPA Citizen Advisory Commission Chair, presented the 1995 budget proposal for SHeRPA. She pointed out that the four member cities are being asked to increase their funding level to replace the decrease in funding due to the transfer of the Emergency Services Program to CASH. that is $3,000.00. in return for its money. The Council questioned whether the member cities should pay equal shares because of the difference in demographics, whether Edina residents are being served by CASH, and also asked for information on Richfield's salary compensation plan which is the basis for salaries paid to SHeRPA personnel. Mayor Richards called for public comment on the proposed 1995 HRC budget. comment was heard. Edina's part of Ms. Atchison said she felt the City is getting good services No 55 Crime Prevention SDecialist Position Police Chief Bernhjelm presented written information on behalf of the Edina Crime Prevention Fund Board in support of the proposal to bring to fulltime the position of Crime Prevention Specialist, currently a three-fourths time position. The Board is suggesting that the Fund contribute as follows: 1995 - loo%, 1996 - 90%, 1997 '- 80%, 1998 - 70%, 1999 - 60%, with future years left open. The individual holding the position does an excellent job and that view is held by many of the people she contacts on a regular basis. She has represented the City well in the county and state crime prevention organizations. said in his opinion we need her to be more proactive in the areas of crime prevention and safety education and need to expand this role thereby relieving some of the patrol officers from the specialization required for those functions. He noted that the Crime Prevention Fund Board has been very generous in funding the cost of this position in the past. economy, the Fund is not able to sustain that contribution and they would like to see increased funding from the City budget. Chief Bernhjelm At this point, because of the market Charles Yeschke, Edina Crime Prevention Fund Board Member, commented that crime prevention is vitally important in any community and asked the Council to maintain the position of crime prevention specialist. management of this position should be moved to the City with the Fund contributing monies for the position. Council should realize the ramifications of adding a fulltime position. Mr. Yeschke responded that if the community is safer to live and do business in, there will be a greater tax base in the community. Public Comment on ProDosed 1995 Budget - Harvey DOW, 6212 Loch Moor Drive, commented that he would like to see more police cars patrolling the neighborhood. Also, he would like to see more maintenance on the City's tennis courts. specific line items in the budget. The Board feels the Mayor Richards interjected that the Mayor Richards asked Mr. Dow to submit comments on Review of ProDosed 1995 Budget Following the above testimony, the Council began review and discussion of the proposed 1995 Budget by area and function including the following: Central Services - Three major expense items: PERA and FICA costs, the flex benefit plan, and worker's compensation and liability insurance. number of employees in each department and total salaries in each area. third of this budget is allocated to enterprise funds and therefore not tax supported. General Government - Mayor & Council, Administration, Planning, Finance, Election, Assessing, and Legal & Court Services. Staffing needs for the Assessing Department and commercial property values were discussed. Departmental - Contingencies, Capital Plan Appropriation, Special Assessments on City Property, Rebuild Reserve, Commissions and Special Projects. Manager Rosland noted that the capital plan appropriation has been reduced $66,841 in order to provide a budget within the limits directed by Council. an alternative method to funding the City's capital improvement needs must be found. Costs are allocated based on One Non- Staff believes Mayor Richards stated that the hearing would be continued to August 25, 1994 at 5:OO P.M. for review of the remaining sections of the budget and for further public comment. Meeting was adjourned at 6:27 P.M.