2009-08-25 Council Budget Workshop minutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the Budget Workshop
Held Monday, August 25, 2009
Mayor Huber called the meeting to order at 5PM
Council Members Present: Staff Present:
Mayor John Huber City Administrator Jim Danielson
Council Member Sandra Krebsbach City Clerk Kathy Swanson
Council Member Jack Vitelli Finance Director Kristen Schabacker
Council Member Mary Jeanne Schneeman Police Chief Mike Aschenbrener
Council Member Ultan Duggan Police Sgt Neil Garlock
Fire Chief John Maczko
Asst. Fire Chief Jim Kilburg
Public Works Dir John Mazzitello
Public Works Sup Tom Olund
Asst. City Administrator Jake Sedlacek
Finance Director Kristen Schabacker introduced the proposed 2010 City Budget, which
needs to be approved by September 15. The purpose of the workshop is to have
department heads present their budgets, giving the Council time to question staff, and
discuss items.
• Kristen explained the estimated levy limit and the actual levy limit from the state;
Council decided to utilize a special levy to make up the difference between estimate
and actual.
Department heads each presented their 2010 budget requests and answered City Council's
questions. The following is a list of City Council questions /comments about the budget.
• Public Works has deferred their trail maintenance for 2010 and significantly reduced
that line item. Council Member Duggan asked for feedback on the condition of the
City's trails. Mayor Huber was concerned that the City not fall behind on its
infrastructure maintenance and suggested that, if appropriate the City Council could
consider funding the Pilot Knob work out of savings and return money to perform
trail maintenance. No changes were made to this line item at this time.
• John Mazzitello presented a memo that informed the City Council that an increase is
required to the City's property owners utility bills. Council Member Vitelli suggested
that the increase be rounded up to be $50 /quarterly.
- Staff will follow up on this action at an upcoming Council Meeting.
• Kathy Swanson presented her plan to increase the IT employees duties, promote her
and increase her salary accordingly.
• Fire Chief John Maczko discussed his plan to redo the Fire Halls' floor covering for
$40,000, a longer lasting covering. Council Member Vitelli asked if staying with
the existing product would not be a better financial decision? The Fire Department
was instructed to bring back to the City Council a memo for City COuncil's review
that analyzed the several options.
• Council Member Krebsbach presented the Fire Department request for increasing the
City's contribution to the Fire Fighters retirement fund by $200. $7200 was added to
the budget to accomplish this request.
• Police Chief Mike Aschenbrener presented a last minute increase to the City's DCC
Contribution. He also presented a plan by the DCC to return budget reserve money to
the Cities. Mendota Heights' share of the reserve money would more than cover their
increases. Staff was directed to accept the DCC money in a lump sum and record it
as a 2010 revenue to cover any increased budget costs.
• Public Works Director John Mazzitello presented a plan to privatize Code
Enforcement. City Council determined that it would continue with city employees
versus a private firm.
• Public Works Director John Mazzitello discussed 2010 funding of Rogers Lake weed
control. John Mazzitello was asked to establish a meeting with the Rogers Lake
residents to discuss their participation in the 2010 fimding.
• Assistant to the City Administrator Jake Sedlacek presented on the Par 3 budget,
Council directed staff to make adjustments to allocations for Administrative
Overhead so that it not exceed 15 %.