HomeMy Public PortalAbout07-16-2019 Work Session City Council MinutesMedina City Council Special Meeting Minutes 1
July 16, 2019
MEDINA CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES OF
JULY 16, 2019
The City Council of Medina, Minnesota met in special session on July 16, 2019 at 6:00
p.m. at the Medina City Hall, 2052 County Road 24, Medina, MN.
I. Call to Order
Members present: Albers, Anderson, DesLauriers, Martin, Pederson
Members absent:
Also present: City Administrator Scott Johnson, Assistant City Administrator
Jodi Gallup, Public Works Director Steve Scherer, Finance Director Erin Barnhart, Public
Safety Director Ed Belland and Planning Director Dusty Finke
II. 2020 Preliminary Budget Discussion
Finance Director Erin Barnhart provided background information on annual contract
changes, phasing police radios from the DWI Forfeiture Fund (expected to be depleted in
2021) to the General Fund, increased expenses to building operations, the addition of the
Presidential Primary expense, the decrease in court fine revenues ($20,000 for 2020),
phasing out antenna revenue from the General Fund ($63,000 remaining) in 2020, the
addition of a full-time police officer ($80,000), and review of building permits for 2020.
Council Members asked Staff to take a closer look at fines, forfeitures, and permit
numbers for 2020 for the September 3rd preliminary budget.
Public Works Director Steve Scherer provided background information on the CIP
regarding future parks projects. Council reviewed options for a Municipal Park Fund to
fund future park replacement expenses. Council requested a pause with the budget
discussion to discuss the transition group study request from the Hamel Fire Department.
III. Hamel Fire Department Transition Group Study Request
Mario Fabrizio from the Hamel Fire Department provided the City Council with an
invitation for dialogue to study fire protection in the Hamel Fire area. The letter from the
Hamel Fire Department Board of Directors requested discussion of options to provide
future fire services and possibly look into a future transition to a municipal fire
department. The requested discussions would not bind either party to any particular
action or outcome. The group would look at new constructs for providing fire services
and future facilities. The hope was that this discussion would set the stage for the next
generation of fire protection.
The majority of the City Council supported the request and participation in the
discussions. Staff was directed to prepare meeting notes and to provide the information
to the City Council. Council recessed the Work Session at 7:09 PM.
The City Council resumed the Work Session at 7:49 PM. Council requested further
information from the Hamel Fire Department on their needs, box alarms, medical calls,
and the Police Departments roll in handling minor calls.
Medina City Council Special Meeting Minutes 2
July 16, 2019
Mario Fabrizio from the Hamel Fire Department provided background information on
CAD systems. Hamel Fire is automatically paged for 9 codes. Hamel Fire can assist
Medina Police when requested. Box Alarms help with getting needed resources to calls
for certain events. This is an efficient way of asking for fire resources. Mutual Aid is
also used between fire departments to provide resources.
Mr. Fabrizio further discussed the difficulty in recruiting and retaining firefighters. The
lack of volunteer firefighters is a nationwide issue. Some areas are switching to duty
crews or full-time firefighters to provide coverage. Further, Mr. Fabrizio explained
Hamel Fire is growing leaders with a succession plan. It may take 1 to 2 years before
staff members are ready for leadership roles with the Department (this is dependent on
staff staying with the Department). Council and staff thanked the Hamel Fire Department
for their service and information. The majority of the City Council supported Hamel Fire
Department’s request and participation in the discussions.
IV. 2020 Preliminary Budget Discussion (Continued)
Finance Director Erin Barnhart further discussed assigning leave liability amounts to
reserves from Medina’s General Fund Reserves, proposed enterprise fund increases of
Water 1.5%, Sewer 2%, and Storm Water 3% for 2020, no changes were recommended
to the 2020 water/sewer connection fees, discussed using connection fees to fund the
future water tower and water treatment plant (connection fees may not fully fund the
projects), discussed the law change with DWI forfeitures that will deplete the DWI fund
for Medina by 2020, and discussed the revolving capital fund needs and possible future
fire expenditures that could impact future budgets.
Planning Director Dusty Finke reviewed the Affordable and Life-Cycle Housing
Opportunity Amount (ALHOA) under the Livable Communities Act. Council directed
staff to utilize antenna revenue to fund this item.
Erin Barnhart further reviewed the Equipment Fund and Municipal Park Fund. Bonding
options would include $93,045 cost of issuance and interest for a 3-year bond and
$157,159 cost of issuance and interest for a 5-year bond. The City Council unanimously
directed staff to not move forward with bonding options. Council discussed the funding
options for both funds. The majority of the City Council directed staff to fully fund the
Equipment Fund and Municipal Park Fund in the 2020 Budget.
Adjournment
Martin closed the meeting at 9:22 p.m.
_________________________
Kathleen Martin, Mayor
Attest
____________________________
Jodi M. Gallup, City Clerk