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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-07-21 City Council Work Session MinutesMINUTES OF THE EDINA CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION COMMUNITY ROOM, CITY HALL WEDNESDAY, JULY 21, 2021 5:30 P.M. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Hovland called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m. ROLL CALL Answering roll call were Members Anderson, Jackson, Pierce, Staunton, and Mayor Hovland. Staff in attendance: Scott Neal, City Manager; Don Uram, Finance Director; Andrea Rich, Financial Analyst; Kyle Sawyer, Assistant Finance Director; Chad Millner, Engineering Director; Jennifer Bennerotte, Communications Director; Risi Karim, City Management Fellow; and Sharon Allison, City Clerk. New Finance Director Alesha McAndrews was introduced. McAndrews first day will be Aug. 9. 2022-2023 BUDGET & BUDGET WORK PLAN PROCESS City Manager Neal reminded Council that this budget and work plan discussion began at their retreat and that this was another opportunity to receive Council feedback. Neal spoke about the 2021 budget timeline which will end with final adoption in December, and the biennial budget process. Neal explained the Strategic Policy and Implementation Level that drives the process and the goals, objectives and strategies and asked for Council support for budget work plan goals such as Fire Stations 2 and 3, Art Center long-term plan for building and programs, assess post-pandemic community engagement strategies, plus others. Finance Director Uram explained that a nine percent increase in the General Fund was proposed because of the construction fund due to the new street reconstruction financing method and staffing service level increases. Uram said this would result in a 6.5% levy increase or property tax increase of $105.00 annually. He noted that debt service had leveled off. Financial Analyst Rich discussed moving Centennial Lakes Park to the General Fund which had been planned for several years because it was dependent on liquor subsidy to maintain positive cash balances and this was not sustainable. Uram said staff would draft a plan based on Council’s feedback. Neal said if nothing was done, several enterprise operations would consume the liquor operation profits. Council discussed how to fund enterprises that were losing money and asked why some were recommended to remain as enterprises while others folded into the General Fund. Staff explained that there were several reasons, including some of the enterprises were not parks, different tax rules when Centennial Lakes were developed, and decisions made by Council in 2010. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Hovland adjourned the meeting at 6:33 p.m. Respectfully submitted, __________________________________________ Sharon Allison, City Clerk Minutes approved by the Edina City Council, August 4, 2021. ___________________________________________ James B. Hovland, Mayor