HomeMy WebLinkAbout6.b. Minutes of the June 10, 2014 Special Work Session Proceedings ROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS
JUNE 10, 2014
CALL TO ORDER
A regular work session of the Rosemount City Council was held on Tuesday,June 10, 2014 at 6:30
p.m. in the Conference Room at City Hall,2875 145th Street West, Rosemount.
Mayor Droste called the meeting to order with Council Members DeBettignies,Weisensel,Demuth
and Shoe-Corrigan present. Staff present included City Administrator Johnson, Community
Development Director Lindquist;Park and Recreation Director Schultz, City Engineer/Public
Works Director Brotzler and Fire Chief Schroeder.
City Administrator Johnson proposed to add"Updates" to the agenda.
DAKOTA COUNTY 2015-2019 TRANSPORTATION CIP
City Engineer/Public Works Director Brotzler explained that the County is seeking input for the
County Capital Improvements Program (CIP) and explained the draft letter. A new item in the
letter relates to the need for a study of access points for DCTC and a possible signal at Akron
Avenue and County Road 42.
Mr. Brotzler explained that the items in the letter were not in any priority order.
Mayor Droste explained the history of improvements on the Highway 52 corridor. He stated that
Flint Hills sends 900 trucks per day south along Highway 52 and the emphasized the overall need
for good data to make the case for the County Road 42/Highway 52 interchange improvement.
Council Member Demuth inquired about the 55-45% cost split policy between the County and local
cities. Mr. Brotzler said that the usual cost split doesn't necessary apply to such a major highway
intersection and the cost allocation in this case is significantly smaller for the City.
Other specific suggestions for the letter were offered including moving item#2 to the first position
and indicating how many years Highway 52 has been an issue of concern. It was also suggested that
the County Engineers be invited back for a future meeting. Mr. Brotzler will incorporate the
suggestions into the letter. The City Council will have the opportunity to review the final draft of
the County CIP later this year.
2015 BUDGET
City Administrator Johnson reviewed his memo on the 2015 draft budget. The draft budget shows
an increase in the property tax levy of 2.85% and an estimated increase of$28 per year for the
median value home. Mr.Johnson discussed the various factors involved in the draft budget
including the impact of no General Fund surplus from 2013. He explained that there are no new
employees and no new initiatives in the draft budget. A number of specific increases are to
implement previous decisions or operate current projects already underway.
ROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS
JUNE 10, 2014
Council members held a lengthy discussion of revenues and whether or not certain revenues could
be increased or utilization of rental spaces increased. The Ice Arena was discussed and Mr. Schultz
said it has a very high utilization factor now,but still needs more revenue based on a 10 year
projection of costs and revenues. A $15,000 increase in the levy for the ice arena is proposed and
about$20,000 more will be needed in arena fee increases.
Discussion was also held about strategies other cities have used to increase revenues including street
light utility fees and franchise taxes on utilities. No one proposed any further consideration of these
options. The current City fee structure for various items such as licenses or development fees was
also discussed and Mr.Johnson explained that these fees must be related to the cost of providing the
service and cannot be arbitrarily increased.
The Council also had a discussion about the fire pension and general compensation for firefighters.
The proposed budget shows a decrease in the fire pension cost of 20%. The Fire Relief Association
generated a number of spreadsheet scenarios. The scenario preferred and recommended by staff
would allow the pension benefit to increase over the next few years to the goal of$7,500 per year of
service established in 2002, maintain the current amount of surplus, and allow for new firefighters to
be hired. Council members asked to see more information regarding the cost impact of the pension
benefit increase and also a scenario that reduces the needed levy for the fire pension to zero by
2020.
UPDATES
Items briefly discussed under updates included the resident complaint about gunfire in east
Rosemount, an upcoming meeting with the Legion, the upcoming Prestwick Park planning meeting,
an article on changing retail trends,putting the City's street address on the web page, the upcoming
resident survey presentation, and a recent Greater MSP meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further information to come before the City Council and upon a motion by Droste,
second by Demuth, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 10:02 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Dwight Johnson, City Administrator