11-20-08 Meeting Notes
November 20, 2008 Budget Workshop
Meeting convened at 6:20 p.m. Council members present were Mayor Dennis Seefeldt,
Mike Harnetty, Donnette Yehle, Dolores Peterson and at the end Pete Crum. Incoming
council member Connie Amos and city treasurer Colleen Firkus were also present.
I. Potential Revenue Increases effective Jan. 1, 2009. Need Council vote.
a) Community Center Rentals increased as follows:
Resident Non-Resident
Hall $200 $475
Hall Previous Day Setup $100 $150
Kitchen Use $300 $300
Heritage Room (same) $ 75 $100
Security $135
b) Minimum Bldg Permit Fee increased to $100.
c) Utility Permit Fee increased to $150 – roads to be inspected after
completion. Seefeldt thinks city should have a deposit/letter of credit to
see if the road remains in good condition for a period of time after digging
or boring.
d) Yehle suggested we have an Administrative fine on illegal signs.
Ordinance would be rewritten when Comp. Plan ordinances are written.
Maybe have other Administrative fines written into ordinances at the same
time, i.e. snowmobile on sidewalks, and other existing ordinances.
2. Council did not feel we could pass on the costs of the Rasmussen house to
the Uptown users, but the ordinance/agreement should be looked at to
include future expenses related to the sewer/water system.
Council also said we could not pass on well costs, tank removal, etc. But
ordinance/agreement should be looked at to share future costs. Denny
suggested a meeting with church personnel to discuss the church’s benefit of
the water and sewer system and sharing all expenses.
3. Noted info.
4. Noted info. Peterson concerned with shingles matching Community Center
roof.
5. Council decided to increase 201 fees by 20%. Result will be a $110 annual
increase. Send letter of explanation with bills. Need to get a handle on
budgeting for actual expenses. Noted increased cost of uncovering tanks.
Use to be no charge, now $150 per tank to uncover.
6. Noted info.
7. Expect Hall Rental increases would cover difference of Revenue vs.
Expenses.
Yehle suggested that city cut professional expenses by not having the
engineer at every meeting ($50 per mtg.) if there are no projects or nothing new
to discuss. Council agreed. Also, Planner ($105 per mtg.) may not be necessary
at all meetings. Yehle indicated the city has a “very qualified staff in Anne &
Steve, who could make that decision as to whether or not the Planner is needed
at a meeting.
Seefeldt also said the increase in the May Twsp. fire contract will be at a
minimum of $6,000 and would cover the Rev/Exp difference.
Crum and Harnetty suggested that fire contracts could be based on
population rather than number of houses as the majority of calls is for medical,
not house fire. Maybe data could be obtained from Sheriff’s office on number of
medical calls to May Twsp. Veteran’s Camp must have a lot of calls.
8. Notice of Proposed Total Budget and Property Taxes
Harnetty and Seefeldt said the major question that will be asked about the
public notice is why are taxes going up 9% when expenses are going down 7%?
They know why, but would like to see this question answered in the presentation
prior to it being asked. Otherwise, thought the presentation was great last year
and would like to see it again this year. Keep presentation short. Also, video a
good idea to show at the beginning.
9. Crum presented info he gathered on siren effectiveness. Said the trend is to
not put in new sirens. Cited several surveys and news reports on sirens. Sirens
are expensive, only good for those in range when outside – still need to go inside
to listen to radio/TV, wind direction and atmospheric pressure affects range,
1960’s technology, need staff to educate population on meaning of siren calls –
repeatedly over time, need staff to give direction on how to respond, may give
false sense of security (Crum’s opinion), people tend to move toward the danger
when notified, one survey said 80% people liked having a siren, but not informed
of costs.
Seefeldt, Crum and Harnetty thought giving away weather radios to
residence would be more cost effective and more useful. Seefeldt cited concerns
over six firefighters retiring and the Fire Relief fund being bankrupt at end of
2009, and would rather fund firefighters’ pension.
Meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. with a motion by Peterson, seconded by Yehle.
Respectfully submitted,
Colleen Firkus
Treasurer