HomeMy WebLinkAbout19970813_specialMINUTES
OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
EDINA CITY COUNCIL HELD AT CITY HALL
AUGUST A3,1997
5:OO P.M.
ROLLCALL Answering rollcall were Members Faust, Hovland, Maetzold, and Mayor Smith.
I
Mayor Smith stated the purpose of the Special Meeting was to begin the public hearing process on
the preliminary 1998 budget. He reviewed the preliminary schedule for budget adoption noting the
City Council was required to establish a maximum levy for the 1998 budget at their September 2,
1997, Council meeting. He noted that later in the year, the City Council will conduct Truth in
Taxation hearings before final budget adoption in December. Mayor Smith stated this first meeting
would focus first on advisory boards and commissions’ testimony before reviewing the budget in
detail.
Human Relations Commission Budaet
Sharon Ming, spokesperson for the Human Relations Commission was present to explain the
Commissioners’ 1998 Budget request. She presented a memorandum outlining the Commission’s
recommendation for a $78,450.00 budget. Ms. Ming went on to explain the Human Relations
Commission’s recommendation for 4 998 funding:
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
StorefronWouth Action
Senior Community Services
Cornerstone Intervention
VEAP
Cornerstone Advocacy Service
The Bridge
Share-A-Home
Women In Transition
Family & Children’s Service
$34,850.00
$1 2,800.00
$1 0,000.00
$6,400.00
$5,000.00
$1,850.00
$1,800.00
$1,500.00
$900.00
IO. West Suburban Mediation Center
11. Side by Side $800.00 $76,700.00
$800.00
LINE ITEMS (no change over 1997 funding):
I.
2.
3.
4.
Continuing Education $250.00
(seminars & dinner meetings)
Dues and Subscriptions $200.00
Chemical Health $500.00
(materials & activities of Chemical
Education Program $800.00 $1.750.00
Health Advisory Committee)
TOTAL HUMAN RELATIONS PROPOSAL $78,450.00
RESOURCE CENTER PROPOSAL $28,500.00
SHeRPA’S PROPOSAL $1 9,629.00
Ms. Ming introduced James Zappa of the Human Relations Commission. Mr. Zappa explained
Cornerstone’s Intervention Program provides services to support victims of domestic violence
through the criminal justice system from the time of arrest (Cornerstone is contacted by the Police
Department when an incident of domestic violence happens) until the parties leave the criminal
justice system. Cornerstone works within the criminal justice system to ensure adequate
consequences are placed upon perpetrators of domestic violence. Mr. Zappa stated statistics have
proven that a very short window of opportunity exists when having an intervention program makes
a significant difference in victims ability to change their situations. The Human Relations
Commission believes providing $1 0,000 for the Cornerstone Intervention Program will be of value
to Edina’s citizens.
I
Council discussed with the Commission:
the validity of the lump sum dollars as requested by Cornerstone,
whether or not a private provider could meet this need in the community without public
dollars being spent, Le. Perspectives, and
was the value given for the $1 0,000 enough to warrant the expenditure.
The Council asked:
why implement the intervention now and not twenty years ago,
how many citizens would be served by the program and
what the total operating budget is of Cornerstone.
Commission members and staff responded:
the Cornerstone Intervention Program is fairly new so it was not available twenty years
ago based upon Police statistics Edina Police respond to about I00 domestic calls
annually resulting in approximately 20 arrests and an additional 20 referrals for service
Communities currently utilizing Cornerstone’s intervention program feel it is a good
value to their communities, and
Cornerstone’s annual operating expenditures for the year ending 1996 were
$1,300,000
The Council briefly discussed funding for the operation of the Community Resource Center. Sandra
Stevenson explained the $8,000 additional to the 1998 operating budget is due to operating for a
full year, additional start up costs, marketing and outreach, and the development of the information
systems and data security costs. Council asked what types of referrals the CRC has been making.
Ms. Stevenson replied most referrals are basic subsistence requests for housing or food. She
added future reports to the Council will be more detailed in the types of service provided.
Following the testimony of the Human Relations Commission, the Council began a review and
discussion of the proposed 1998 budget by area and function, including the following:
General Government
Public Works
Public Safety
Parks
Central Services
Non-Department
During their review of the budget, the City Council asked staff to respond to the following items:
Election funding in off election years vs. election years
Health insurance contributions
Leasing equipment vs. purchasing equipment
Fire Department Overtime
Ambulance Service Revenues
0 Potential for Additional Inspector in Building Department
After further discussion, the Council generally agreed the tentatively scheduled August 20, 1997
budget study session would not be necessary. Mayor Smith noted the Council would continue
discussion of the 1998 budget at the September 2, 1997 regular Council meeting.
There being no further business on the Council Agenda, Mayor Smith declared the meeting
adjourned at 7:20 P.M.
I