Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-07-13 - Council Minutes - Part 2CITY OF CORCORAN CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORKSHOP July 13, 2006 The Corcoran City Council met on July 13, 2006, at city hall in Corcoran, Minnesota. Present were Mayor Cossette, Councilor Grabowski (in at 5:35), Call to Order Councilor Jacobs, Councilor Lymangood, and Councilor Thomas. Also present were Administrator Vergin, Police Chief Gormley, and Public Works Director Roll Call Meister. Mayor Cossette opened the meeting to order at 5:30 p.in. Agenda Approval MOTION by Thomas, seconded by Jacobs, to approve the agenda as presented. Voting Aye: Cossette, Grabowski, Jacobs, Lymangood, and Thomas. (Motion carried 5:0) Goals and Objectives - Impacts to 2007 Budget Simplify Codes - Councilor Jacobs indicated that this could have a savings down the road, not clear what impact would have on 2007 budget. The consensus of the Council was that it is the onus of the council members to identify changes and bring those forward. There should be a budget for the annual ordinance updates. Fire Services / Contracts - Administrator Vergin informed the Council that she had met with all four fire departments over the past few days. Both Rogers and Loretto are considering using the current contract formula the City has with Hamel, but that they most likely would not be implemented until the 2008 budget process. Hanover is willing to work with the City by looking at capping the contract amount based on either a percentage or the CPI (consumer pricing index). In the mean time for the 2007 budget Loretto has agreed to a maximum increase of 5 %, Rogers will remain under the current market value calculation, Hanover will increase by approximately 4 %, and Hamel's budget has not yet been set, but is in process. The Council further addressed services to reduce the ISO, and the direction of the long-term committee that was established to review how fire protection services are provided to the City. The Council would like further information on the State Sprinkling Code, and if there were any funds that would be available to the City for providing water storage in the rural areas. Fire protection services will be added to Capital Plan when updating the Comprehensive Plan. Comprehensive Plan Amendment - The amendments are due to the Met Council in 2008, therefore monies should be allocated to start process in 2007. Staff needs to know if the Council intends on any major changes, or if it will be minor changes. The Council identified possible changes that may include the sewer phasing plan due to timing of the northern interceptor; inclusion of the Capital Plan; adding the Future Urban Service Area; should a future service area be added in the northern area of the City; additional focus should be on the downtown area; and should the Burschville rural commercial area be expanded. Staff was directed to identify if Park Place Storage needs a comp plan amendment, and what would be the costs for a temporary sanitary sewer pipe to the downtown area. Staff will use this information to create a Comp Plan Amendment budget. (Later in the meeting the Council also identified that the School Park Property and the City Community Park property should be reviewed to see if a land use change to commercial would be appropriate.) Business Friendly Incentives - The consensus of the Council was that when TIF funds can be used, they should be utilized to improve amenities that will encourage commercial retention and expansion. Should look at identifying budgets that may include engineering and planning. Agenda Approval Goals & Objectives Page -1- CITY OF CORCORAN CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORKSHOP July 13, 2006 I & I Standards - An ordinance needs to be developed prior to any connection to the sanitary sewer. This will entail both planning and engineering time. Waste Water Authority - Administrator Vergin informed the Council that based on her last conversation with Duane Hudson of Hennepin County it is anticipated that Hennepin County would assume authority on January 1, 2007. Staff is looking at means by which to help facilitate this for the residents, such as coordinating the permit process (picking up and dropping off) at city hall. Mr. Hudson had indicated that there would be no costs incurred by the City when Hennepin County is the authority, The Council stated that staff should retain a small line item budget for this, in the event that there are any costs incurred in the change over. SE and SW Infrastructure Services - Administrator Vergin noted that it is not the intent at this time to add staff for the billing or maintenance of the facilities, but to work with Medina and Maple Grove for those services on an interim basis. Information and costs however, are currently being reviewed for the necessary billing software and staffing that will eventually be needed. The Council would like to see that the sizing of the water pipe from Maple Grove is sized to accommodate the downtown area, as well as the SE District. Staff needs to identify if there will be any start up costs or set up costs in implementing the infrastructure services. Economic Development Authority - At present the City does have a budget established when using the consulting firm of Municipal Development Group. This should be tied to Business Incentives addressed earlier, and a budget should be established. Capital Projects - Public Works Facility & Future Park Complex - A long term planning committee has been established, which has been divided into two subcommittees. One is reviewing the needs of the Public Works and the other is reviewing a potential future park complex. The Council directed that the committees should provide input to the Council of any costs that may be incurred during this process, such as the utilization of consultants. In House Planner - Administrator Vergin informed the Council that she has spoken with the City of Rogers regarding the contract for code enforcement. Rogers may be looking at picking up an additional 4 hours a week. This is a concern, as this would reduce the amount of time that the code enforcement official is available to Corcoran. The Council indicated that they would favor bringing in an in house planner, if it makes financial sense, noting that an experienced planner would be preferred. Downtown Expansion/Redevelopment -The Council would like to see development and retention of development in the downtown area. Would like information on costs to extend services to this area. Other Priorities Mayor Cossette identified the following: • Street maintenance costs - would like to see the actual costs tracked on a per road basis. After some discussion it was recommended that rather than costs per specific roads, that Meister should identify the top 5 to 10 roads and then Other Priorities Page -2- CITY OF CORCORAN CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORKSHOP July 13, 2006 track the costs on those. • Handicap Accessibility to Park - this issue was raised during ball season, and the city needs to address this. Administrator Vergin indicated that this is currently being looked into with the Parks & Trails Commission. • Civil Defense Sirens — this will be looked at further during the CIP review. • Public Works building safety issues — Public Works needs to identify immediate concerns and how to correct those. Meister indicated that he would be working with Susan Pearson from Safety Train on this matter. • Additional Personnel — if department heads will be proposing any additional staff they need to clearly identify those needs. • Forecast of tax revenues and other revenues — wants them to be precise. • Street Petitions — City needs to know the costs associated with these petitions. Treeline & Foxline to date has cost the City almost $2000, which is not inclusive of all expenditures. No other priorities where identified. Personnel Matters Administrator Vergin informed the Council that she and Mayor Cossette had met with George Gmach on these matters. Presently looking at taking the 10 -grade job evaluation and creating a 20 -grade job evaluation. This will ensure that positions are graded and paid appropriately, which will be very helpful as the City adds staff. Presently the city provides $50,000 life insurance to fulltime employees and $5000 to part time employees, and a maximum of $525 a month for health insurance. There is no dental insurance or a cafeteria plan provided. Presently there is a lot of time owed off that is accumulating on the books due to ability to comp over time and an allocation of sick time to vacation once an employee has reached the maximum sick time they are allowed to earn. Would like to work on reevaluating the benefits in an effort to reduce this large liability- and enhance what is provided to the employees to create a win win situation for all. The Council requested that the liability amount be provided to them. Next Workshop The next workshop is scheduled for July 27, 2007 at 5:30 p.m. This meeting will be to address revenues. The Council requested that the revenues be illustrated on a per capita or per household basis. It was also requested that rather than providing the 2006 to date actuals in the budget spread sheet that the forecasts to the end of the year be provided. Adjournment MOTION by, Thomas, seconded by Grabowski to adjourn the workshop, 6 :50 p.m. Voting Aye: Cossette, Grabowski, Jacobs, Lyinangood, and Thomas. (Motion Carried 5:0) Sus Vergin, City Admini ator Personnel Matters Next Workshop Adjournment