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HomeMy WebLinkAbout6.b Minutes of December 10, 2003 Committee of the Whole Meetingff. EM 0 t) o 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 1 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. 2