HomeMy WebLinkAbout19980812_specialMINUTES
OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
EDINA CITY COUNCIL HELD AT CITY HALL
AUGUST 12,1998
500 P.M.
ROLLCALL Answering rollcall were Members Maetzold, and Mayor Smith. Member Kelly
entered the meeting at 5:20 p.m.
Mayor Smith stated the purpose of the Special Meeting was to begin the public hearing
process on the prelirninary 1999 budget. He reviewed the preliminary schedule for budget
adoption noting the City Council was required to establish a maximum levy for the 1999
budget at their September 8, 1998, Council meeting. He added 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.
Assistant Manager Hughes stated the 1999 proposed budget reflects a 3.42 percent increase
in expenditures over the 1998 budget. The proposed budget requires an increase in our
property tax levy of 1.35 percent that reflects .the State imposed levy limit for 1999. For 1999
the maximum tax levy allowed will be $177,293. The remaining approximately $435,000
needed to fund the 1999 budget will come from: reduction in abatements, increased
revenues, increased fees and charges, increased municipal court fines and increased
intergovernmental aid (HACA).
The Council asked: why the building revenue and municipal court fines were set at their
proposed level; why the 1998 budget showed a transfer from reserves; and why the 1997
contribution from the liquor stores was zero in 1997. Staff explained Staff has budgeted
conservatively because building revenue and municipal court fines are unpredictable and
may fluctuate by several hundred thousand dollars over a five year time span. Further, it
was explained that the 1998 budget anticipated needing a transfer from reserves to fund
some expenditures; however, it looks like increased revenues will cover all expenditures so
the anticipated transfer is not necessary. In addition, the 1997 liquor transfer was not
needed.
Human Relations Commission Budget
Ardis Wexler, Chair of the Human Relations Commission was present to explain the
Commissioners’ 1999 Budget request. She presented a memorandum outlining the
Commission’s recommendation for a $80,750.00 budget.
Council discussed with the Commission, the process the Human Relations Commission
used to select the service providers they recommended. Ms Wexler explained the Human
Relations Commission put out requests for proposals that were reviewed and tabulated
first by the staff and then by the Commission over approximately three meetings. After the
review was completed the Human Relations Commission made their recommendations to
the Council.
Sandra Stevenson, Coordinator of the FamiLink Resource Center reviewed a Satisfaction
Survey taken in the latter part of 1997 and early 1998. Survey findings indicate a high level
of satisfaction with the FamiLink. Mayor Smith cornended Ms. Stevenson for the
FamiLink's operations.
Jeanne Massey, reviewed briefly the reorganization that SHeRPA is undergoing. Ms.
Massey explained that FamiLink is now separated from SHeRPA, and that SHeRPA is
involved in planning and resetting cornuuty priorities in each of the Cities in which they
operate. Ms. Massey stated the reorganization should be completed in the early fall. Mayor
Smith asked Ms. Massey to come back and update the Council on SHeRPA's activities since
its reorganization in 1990 sometime in late fall.
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Following the testimony of the Human Relations Commission, the Council began a review
and discussion of the proposed 1999 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: .
Fire Department Overtime - directed Staff to keep reviewing annually,
Salaries of Mayor & Council compared to other cities, process necessary if an
increase were to be made,
Potential fishing dock for Lake Cornelia, and
Comfort station for Wooddale Park.
After further discussion, the Council generally agreed the tentatively scheduled August 19,
1998, budget session would not be necessary. Mayor Smith noted the Council would
continue discussion of the 1999 budget at the September 8,1998, regular Council meeting.
There being no further business on the Council Agenda, Mayor Smith declared the meeting
adjourned at 6:25 P.M.
City Clerk