HomeMy WebLinkAbout6.b Minutes of December 10, 2003 Committee of the Whole Meetingff. EM
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ROSEMOUNT CITY PROCEEDINGS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
DECEMBER 10, 2003
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof the Committee of the Whole Work Session was held on
Wednesday, December 10, 2003 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.
Mayor Droste and Council Members DeBettignies, Riley, Shoe - Corrigan, and Strayton were
present. Also in attendance were City Administrator Verbrugge, Police Chief Kalstabakken,
Community Development Director Lindquist, Human Resource /Communications Coordinator
Weitzel, Finance Director May, City Planner Pearson, and Parks & Recreation Director Schultz.
Fund Balance Policy
Finance Director May presented the draft Fund Balance Policy. Our financial consultants advised
that if the City would choose to reduce the fiend balance by some factor relating to the
compensated absences, the issue of concern to the rating agencies would be the resulting fund
balance as a percentage of revenues. If the resulting amount dipped below 50% the rating
agencies would likely take note. Ehlers & Associates Inc. recommended that compensated
absences be factored into the actual level of targeted fund balance and not be used as an annual
adjustment factor in a formal policy. City Council advised that 55% would be an acceptable
fund balance figure and that compensatory absences would be handled in a separate fund. Staff
will bring this policy to the December 16 City Council meeting.
Health Care Savings Contribution
Human Resources /Communications Coordinator Weitzel presented information on Blue Cross
Blue Shield's VEBA Plan. It is mandatory that each employee group must uniformly follow
contribution rates for supplementary contributions. There are six employee groups in the City of
Rosemount: Teamsters, AFSCME, LELS- Police, LELS- Sergeants, Non -union management (pay
equity points greater than 500), and Non -union regular employees (pay equity points less than
500). The management group has determined it would like to contribute an additional $15 per
pay period into their individual accounts in the Health Care Savings VEBA Account. Additional
funds could be contributed at the time of severance from unused sick leave in excess of 40 hours
at a prorated percentage of the actual value dependent on years of service. Also, severance and
unused vacation leave in excess of 80 hours could be added to the VEBA account. Discussion
ensued. The other employee groups are working on an outcome.
Communications Coordinator
Human Resources /Communications Coordinator Weitzel presented a position responsibility
description for Communications Coordinator. This position is part of the Administration
Department and hiring is proposed for January 2004. The Communications Coordinator
provides professional assistance to the City Administrator, Department Heads, and City
departments by assuming primary responsibility for the management, development, and
improvement of the City's public information process. This position would support, enhance,
and develop communication and public information methods that support the City's commitment
to open and responsible government. Council agreed to consider this at the next City Council
meeting.
Facilities Task Force
Parks & Recreation Director Schultz reported on the need for additional recreational facilities
and proposed forming a taskforce to investigate that need further. Residents have shown interest
in a senior center, arts center, youth center, aquatic center, and another sheet of ice. The Parks
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ROSEMOUNT CITY PROCEEDINGS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
DECEMBER 10, 2003
and Recreation Commission recently finished a needs assessment for athletic fields where they
recommended securing a draft site plan and cost estimate for a future athletic complex. Council
supported forming a taskforce for investigation.
Brockway Development
Community Development Director Lindquist presented a proposal from Contractor Property
Developers Company (CPDC) to redevelop the Brockway property as a mixed residential
development. The site is 120 acres proposed to yield 612 residential units. This development
would include active and passive public open space, an association community center, and a
small parcel for neighborhood commercial. Discussion included traffic concerns, building
architecture and design, stormwater utility, timeline, site design, and an Environmental
Assessment Worksheet that may be necessary.
UPDATES
Seeding /Sodding Restoration
City Engineer Brotzler proposed after construction projects that final restoration of grassy areas
be done with seed only, rather than sod. Several other communities have this policy. The
Chippendale Avenue project is proposed to be a trail project with seed.
Others
Council Member Riley questioned the Sipes fence variance approved by the Planning
Commission. Staff explained the reasoning put forth by the Commission and also pointed out
possible liability risks to the city because of the lack of "findings of fact." Riley suggested that
the bigger picture should be examined before this variance is allowed.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
City Administrator Verbrugge
The City Council's Agenda Packet is Clerk's File 2003 -42.
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