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1982-08-10 Council minutesPage No. 1689 August 10, 1982 City of Mendota Heights Dakota County State of Minnesota Minutes of the Adjourned Meeting Held Tuesday, August 10, 1982 In accordance with action taken at the regular meeting of the City Council on August 3rd, the adjourned meeting was continued at 7:30 o'clock P.M. at the City Hall, 750 South Plaza Drive, Mendota Heights, Minnesota. Mayor Lockwood called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. The following members were present: Mayor Lockwood, Councilmen Hartmann, Losleben and Mertensotto and Councilwoman Witt. Mayor Lockwood noted that the meeting had been scheduled in order to review budget requests prepared by Police Chief Delmont, Fire Chief Noack, and Code Enforcement Officer Berg. Administrator Johnson then noted that the Engineering budget requests had been prepared and that Public Works Director Jim Danielson was present to discuss the engineering budget if the Council desired. He also noted that the budget requests had been prepared by the several department heads and does reflect the thinking of the department prior to any adjusting that may be necessary because of funding constraints. He noted that very rough revenue calculations revealed no terribly serious revenue constraints. He also noted that the Public Works salaries and Police salaries are about to be negotiated for 1983; hence the per- sonal services portion of the budget request were merely an estimate, and would not be known until contracts are finally negotiated and accepted. POLICE DEPARTMENT BUDGET Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Mayor Lockwood invited Chief Delmont to make his presentation. Chief Delmont made some brief intro- ductory remarks. Councilman Mertensotto questioned the City prosecution costs. Further discussion resulted in Mayor Lockwood moving to direct staff to seek proposals as an alternative to the present prosecution services. Councilman Mertensotto seconded the motion. It was suggested that an ad be placed in the "Legal Ledger" soliciting proposals from attorneys. Further questions were posed on the West St. Paul dispatching costs. The 31% increase seemed inordinately high and Administrator Johnson was directed to monitor the final bill and see that the costs are defensible. Councilman Mertensotto questioned the training costs and noted that he supported training efforts, however this may be an area in which to reduce expenditures., Mr. Robert McCarthy, present in the audience, asked about patrolmen pay and noted his support for Police Department activities. Chief Delmont noted the slightly reduced animal control budget request and no further discussion ensued. FIRE DEPARTMENT BUDGET CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER BUDGET ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT BUDGET Page No. 1690 August 10, 1982 There being no further discussion, Mayor Lockwood thanked Chief Delmont for his appearance and budget request. Mayor Lockwood noted the presence of Fire Chief Noack, Assistant Chief Peterson, and Fire Marshal Lange. After a short general discussion, the Council and firemen discussed the need for a new furnace. A number of suggestions evolved, including the feasibility of a used furnace and other cost cutting measures. The issue was not resolved. The line item of driveway snowplowing was discussed to some length. Chief Noack indicated that response time would be badly hampered if the snowplowing service is eliminated. A suggestion was made that possibly it should be reduced considerably, with ttie Chief establishing the reduction criteria. Discussion also revolved around rates for the volunteer firemen and salaries for the part-time Chief and Assistant Chief. It was suggested that possibly there be no salary increases for 1983. Fire Marshal Lange reviewed the capital expenditures, noting several additional items, which had not been listed in the former CIP budget. He reviewed the request for updating of two fire engines and the need for a remote transmitter for the pager reception. It was noted that the priority should be as follows: 1. Update Pumper #2286. 2. Provide remote transmitter on Henry Sibley High School roof. 3. Provide foam injector equipment for Pumper #2287. Councilman Mertensotto noted that the various capital expenditure items should be listed under the annual operating cost budget. He indicated that it was necessary to include capital expenditure items on the budget sheets in order to reflect the full and true cost of operating the department. There being no further discussion, Mayor Lockwood thanked the volunteer firemen for their dedication and interest. Administrator Johnson noted the Code Enforcement budget request and there were no questions or comments. Public Works Director Jim Danielson explained the several pages of handouts involving the engineering enterprise fund. He noted that during the first six months of 1982, there was some $7,000 of earnings. He noted that despite reduced work activities, he expects the engineering depart- ment to be self-supporting. Page No. 1691 August 10, 1982 Discussion involved expected construction projects. Council- man Hartmann suggested that the right-of-way for the extension of Huber Drive be acquired from the King's. There were a number of other miscellaneous questions concern- ing start-up costs and anticipated work loads. It was noted that the establishment of the engineering department was a needed and proper action, however the current economic conditions will be testing the financial feasibility in the near future. ADJUORN There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Lockwood thanked Public Works Director Danielson for his presentation. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 ATTEST: Councilman Hartmann moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilwoman Witt seconded the motion. TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 9:27 o'clock P.M. rgr,-.) 07 (2f-tivro-a-vt Robert G. Lockwood Mayor athleen M. Swanson City Clerk