1993-08-31 Council Workshop BudgetPage No. 3738
August 31, 1993
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the Budget Workshop
Held Tuesday, August 31, 1993
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the Budget Workshop meeting
of the City Council, City of Mendota Heights, was held at 7:00 o'clock
P.M. at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, Minnesota.
Mayor Mertensotto called the meeting to order at 7:00 o'clock P.M.
The following members were present: Mayor Mertensotto, Councilmembers
Huber, Koch, Krebsbach and Smith. Also present were the City
Administrator, Treasurer, City Clerk, Public Works Director, Police
Chief and Assistant Fire Chief.
DISCUSSION ON Administrator Lawell gave a brief introduction
PROPOSED BUDGET on the proposed 1994 budget and its impact on
property taxes, stating that if the budget is
funded at its proposed level it will result in
a net reduction in the city's portion of the
property tax on all properties which have not
received a significant valuation increase by
the Assessor's office.
There was discussion over the proposed increase in the hospitalization
benefit for city employees and whether there is a need to request bids
for the insurance. There was also brief discussion over possible
implementation of merit increases versus annual COLA increases.
Council discussed the two add-level items proposed, which were the
retention of a forester's services for $10,000 and the purchase and
installation of a generator for the fire station at an estimated
maximum cost of $25,000. It was the consensus that the forester add-
level should be eliminated, moving $5,000 to the general fund legal
contingency and increasing the air noise consultant line item in the
planning budget to $10,000. It was also the consensus to move the
generator to the regular capital outlay portion of the fire department
budget. Staff was directed to use the city newsletter and other
publications to notify residents of the availability of information on
tree diseases.
Council discussed the use of City Hall by outside groups and agencies
and a reduction in the retention requirement for videotapes of city
meetings. It was the consensus to direct staff to prepare revised
policies for Council discussion.
Treasurer Shaughnessy briefly reviewed each of the proposed
departmental and fund budgets, highlighting increases for Council
information.
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August 31, 1993
Assistant Chief Neska responded to questions regarding the proposed
fire bay floor treatment and was directed to do thorough investigation
on the types of treatment available with respect to durability and
maintenance costs. Assistant Chief Neska also responded to Council
questions on bids received for refurbishing unit 2287 and the
advisability of upgrading the existing squirt truck knowing that it
will be sold.
Mayor Mertensotto stated that at some time in the future research
should be done on what fire equipment is needed for a city the size of
Mendota Heights. He stated that there are 800 cities in the state and
most do not have the equipment Mendota Heights has. He stated that
Council must look at the city's needs and not just spend money on
equipment because it would be nice to have. He pointed out that other
cities rely on Mendota Heights and Mendota Heights should also be able
to count on other cities for mutual aid.
Assistant Chief Neska responded that he would like Council to set a
meeting soon to discuss the department's capital needs and replacement
plan, pointing out that the plan calls for purchase of an aerial truck
in 1995 and it will take nearly a year to prepare the plans and
specifications.
Councilmember Huber stated that he has no objection to the
refurbishing but would have to very seriously consider the need for a
65 foot aerial truck and whether it is really necessary given its
substantial projected cost.
Treasurer Shaughnessy informed Council that because of MWCC rate
increases it will be necessary to increase sanitary sewer rates by 20%
in 1994 and again in 1995. Staff was directed to notify residents of
the rate increase through the city newsletter.
As part of the discussion over utility rates, Council discussed that
the city does not have a current contract with St. Paul Water Utility,
and that West St. Paul is currently negotiating a contract. It was
acknwoledged that until Mendota Heights negotiates a new contract, the
city has no control over the rate that St. Paul can bill to Mendota
Heights customers. It was also noted that since water useage is down
because of the wet season, a rate increase by St. Paul to recapture
lost revenues is also likely.
Treasurer Shaughnessy informed Council that in 1994 he will recommend
that the WMO fund be merged with the Storm Water Utility fund. It was
the consensus to merge the funds in 1993.
APPRECIATION Mayor Mertensotto presented Councilmember
Smith, Administrator Lawell and Administrative
Assistant Batchelder with certificates of
appreciation for their efforts on behalf of
"Celebrate Mendota Heights Parks, 1993.11
ADJOURN There being no further business to come before
the Council, Councilmember Koch moved that the
Page No. 3740
August 31, 1993
meeting be adjourned.
Councilmember Huber seconded the motion.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 11:00 o'clock P.M.
cA?
athleen M. Swanson
City Clerk
ATTEST:
Charles E. Mertensotto
Mayor