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MEDINA CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 31, 2007
The City Council of Medina, Minnesota met in special session on July 31, 2007 at 6:02
p.m. in the Medina City Hall. Mayor Crosby presided.
I. Call to Order
Members present: Weir, Crosby, Cavanaugh, Smith (arrived at 6:24 p.m.)
Members absent: Johnson
Also present: City Administrator Chad Adams, Police Chief Ed Belland, Public
Works Foreman Steve Scherer, and Finance Director Jeanne Day.
H. 2007 Budget Work Session
Adams provided an overview of the municipal budgeting process, how taxes are
determined, market value history, taxes payable and tax rate history, tax levy and tax rate
comparisons, and an explanation of how the City compares with per capita spending to
area communities.
Smith arrived at 6:24 p.m.
Discussion was held on market value and the homestead vs. non -homestead affect on the
City. Staff was directed to provide more information on the market value and homestead
credit at the next budget session.
Adams discussed the 2006 audit report, 2007 budget to date, and statutory budget
mandates that are new or changing for 2008. Adams also hi . hlighted the budgeting
strategies for 2008, which encompasses goals set in February by staff/Council, as well as
other direction received from Council in last several months.
Adams provided an overview of Council and staff compensation. A 3% to 4% increase is
targeted at this point for staff COLA for 2008, not including contract or step increases.
Preliminary analysis is indicating closer to 3%.
Discussion on employee benefits included an opt -out provision for health insurance, with
a possible 60% of single-family premium incentive/benefit to be provided back to
employees who choose to opt -out. Day clarified that the City would require proof of
insurance if an opt -out provision was made available. Council reached consensus on
providing 100% premium on the HRA health plan and to split 50/50 the remaining plan
premiums, with the exception of single employee plans. Staff was directed to look
further into the feasibility and rules to allow an opt -out provision on health insurance.
Adams discussed staff resource changes and needs for 2008. Discussion was held on the
proposed Accountant position and how the position would fit in with the City's
organizational structure. Adams explained the Finance Department would consist of a
Medina City Council Special Meeting Minutes
July 31, 2007
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Finance Director, Accountant and Accounting Clerk. The Accounting Clerk would also
provide some clerical duties to Administration. The Administrative functions of the City
would include the City Administrator, Assistant to City Administrator, and partial
Accounting Clerk.
Discussion was held on and consensus reached to implement the following measures into
the 2008 preliminary budget or conduct further analysis:
• Storm water utility and surface water management costs — Staff will provide more
detail on the annual expenses at the next budget session.
• Road funding and pavement management program — Staff will prepare options
and/or recommendation for funding the program at next budget session.
Assessment policy was discussed and no decisions were made until further
analysis is available.
• City Newsletter — The City will send out two 6-page newsletters and four 4-page
newsletters in 2008, instead of the existing four 6-page newsletters. Staff and
Council will also review examples of advertising in other municipal newsletters.
• Dutch Elm Disease — The City will focus on removing diseased trees on City
property or Right -of -Way, but not enforcing on private property at this time.
• Fire Capital Improvements — Staff was directed to prepare a plan for future fire
service in Medina.
• Environmental Fund — Staff will prepare a policy for expending dollars for
projects/initiatives. Seed money for land acquisition was discussed as a
possibility.
• Green -friendly Equipment — Staff was requested to review options for purchasing
a more green friendly public works utility truck.
• Fund Balances — Staff was requested to provide more analysis on the General
Fund Balance, with the consideration of a 50% fund balance.
Adams stated that Staff will provide a summary of the budget department items at the
next meeting, in addition to the information requested from this meeting. He reminded
the Council that a line -item budget is not provided to Council, but a summary budget will
be distributed as in past years.
V. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9:47 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
T.M. Crosby, Jr., Mo
Attest:
dr.tza
Chad M. Adams, City Administrator -Clerk
Medina City Council Special Meeting Minutes
July 31, 2007