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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001 [08] Aug 22 I I I August 22, 200 I i Page I ofV I Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the St. Joseph City Council met in special session Wednesday, August 22, 2001 at 5:30 PM in the St. Joseph City Hall. Members Present: Mayor Larry Hosch. Councilors Bob Loso, AI Rassier, Kyle Schneider. Administrator/Clerk Judy Weyrens. Others Present: Lonnie Abbott I Hosch stated the purpose of the meeting is to review the preliminary budget. Weyrens presented the Council with the first draft of the budget. The preliminary budget does not include additional staff or equipment. However, the support material for the budget includes requests from the Police Department and Maintenance Department to increase staff and purchase additional equipment. The Council needs to review the requests and determine which items will be funded. Weyrens further clarified that the enactment of levy limits and the reform of local government aid has restricted the budget ability of municipalities. While the City received additional local government aid, the reform of property taxes reduces the total amount of property taxes the City will receive. The final impact to the City as a result of the 2001 Legislative session is an increase in revenue of approximately $ 64,000. Park Board - Lonnie Abbott, representing the Park Board, stated the Park Board has, submitted a budget to continue the improvements in Northland Park and upgrade the Centennial Park Shelter. The budget represents a minimal increase. Economic Development Authority - The Council discussed the EDA Budget and if funding for the EDA should be through the taxing powers of the EDA. According to MN Statute, the EDA can impose a levy equal to .8037 percent of the total market value of the City. Based on the 2000 market value of the City, the levy would generate approximately $ 17,000 of revenue. The Council agreed to refer this matter to the EDA Board for consideration. Public Works - The Council discussed the requests of the Public Works Director to add staff and equipment. As street equipment is extremely expensive the Council cannot purchase all the needed equipment. Weyrens reported the City has the opportunity to bid on two plow trucks declared surplus by the City of Apple Valley. The public works department along with a local mechanic viewed the vehicles, a 1988 Ford and a 1989 Ford. Both trucks are equipped with snow wings and are in excellent condition. Loso made a motion authorizing the City Administrator to execute the necessary documents to bid on both the 1988 Ford and 1989 Ford as requested by the Public Works Director. The maximum bid will be limited to $ 30,000 per truck. The motion was seconded by Rassier and passed unanimously by those present. The Council discussed the need to re-establish a street maintenanCe fund. The levyfor the year 2000 included approximately $ 10,000 to be used for seal coating. The proposed budget does not include funding for streets. The Council requested the Public Works Director attend the next budget meeting to discuss future staffing and equipment replacement. I Administration: The Council discussed the following: . Community Sign: The budget currently includes $ 2,200 for the community sign located at the intersection of County Road 75 and College Avenue. The sign does not have a high use and the revenue received does not cover the operating expenses. Further, Weyrens stated the use of the sign has been reduced since the cable bulletin August 22,2001 Page 2 of t- board has become available. Loso made a motion to eliminate the use of the community sign at the first opportunity available to the City. The motion was seconded by Schneider and passed unanimously by those present. · Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP): Weyrens reported that RSVP is requesting an increase in cost participation for the year 2002. RSVP has seen an increase in senior participation over the past years and if the City were billed for the actual services it would be in excess of $ 6,000. In 2001, the City contributed $ 1,900. Rassier made a motion to increase the contribution to RSVP to $ 3,500 for the year 2002. The motion was seconded by Loso and passed unanimously by those present. I · City Office Staffing: The Council questioned the status of filling the open employment vacancies in the City Offices and hciW the will be filled. Weyrens stated that in the past the Council had discussed hiring a Planner and Finance Officer. However, after reviewing the duties for each position, Weyrens questioned if both those positions were full time. An alternative to hiring a Planner is to hire a receptionist/secretary. As the City has been growing the phone has become increasing busy. The receptionist could be responsible for the phones, walk-in traffic, the filing system, (which is in dire need of updating), and typing the minutes from the regular Council meetings. The position could also be used for mailings and council packets. Rassier made a motion to advertise to fill the following positions: Full time Receptionist/Secretary and full time Finance Officer. The motion was seconded by Hosch and passed unanimously by those present. I · Police' Department Staffing: Weyrens reported that the Police Department budget has been included as prepared by the former Police Chief. The support material for the budget reque'sts the Council consider adding one full time officer and funding the secretary full time rather than the current 25 hours per week. Hosch made a motion to leave the staffing for the Police Department as it was funded for the year 2001. The secretary position for the year 2002 will remain at 25 hours per week and an additional officer will not be added. The motion was seconded by Schneider and pass,ed unanimously by those present. · Utility Billing: Weyrens stated that the time consumed by office staff maintaining final utility account and rental units is increasing steadily. The landlords have been requesting the City to prepare final bills when the tenants leave in spring and when they move in again in fall. This process requires the maintenance department to read the meter and then for the City Office staff to prepare a final bill. The City should consider adding an interim billing fee to cover the associated costs. If the City would receive the final bill after it is read it may help alleviate some of the cost. However, most of the interim bills are paid with the next regular bill. Schneider made a motion that effective January 1, 2002 the City will charge $20.00 per account for interim billings. The motion was seconded by Loso and passed unanimously. Adiourn: Loso made a motion to adjourn at 8:20 PM; seconded by Schneider and passed unanimously by those present. I oeL7 ~