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IV.3. Minutes of the August 11, 2015 Work Session Proceedings HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS AUGUST 11, 2015 CALL TO ORDER Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a regular work session of the Hopkins City Council was held on Tuesday, August 11, 2015 at 6:31 p.m. in the Raspberry Room at City Hall, 1010 First Street South, Hopkins. Mayor Maxwell called the meeting to order with Council Member Cummings, Gadd, Halverson and Kuznia attending. Staff present included City Manager Mornson, Finance Director Harkess, Police Chief Reynolds and Fire Chief Specken. 2016 BUDGET DISCUSSION Finance Director Harkess gave an overview of the preliminary 2016 General Fund Budget. Ms. Harkess explained that the budget was prepared according to the Financial Management Plan (FMP). The budget was prepared with two versions for consideration by the Council. Version one (V1) maintains staffing at current levels and version two (V2) adds personnel for the Police Department Property Room and two full-time firefighters. Ms. Harkess explained the increase in LGA, Police aid and MSA. The budget increase for V1 is 3.46% and 4.66% increase for V2. Ms. Harkess discussed the impacts to the budget that include salary adjustment, health insurance increase, requests for increase/additional personnel and the changing workforce. Ms. Harkess presented the General Fund expenditures and revenues of the different versions and explained the changes from 2015 to 2016. Ms. Harkess presented the proposed levy and explained that the increase is in line with the FMP levy recommendations. The impact on an average Hopkins home ($225K) would be a $94 increase. Ms. Harkess explained that in 2015 the FMP called for an $89 . increase but the actual was $0 due to growth in the tax baseMs. Harkess explained that the budget and levy provides the City of Hopkins with funding for additional staffing, road projects, reducing the Arts Center deficit, funding Pavilion operations, debt service requirements and general city operations. Council Member Cummings asked for an explanation of the levy limit, LGA and future Southwest Light Rain Transit (SWLRT) funding. Finance Director Harkess explained that the State Legislature determines the formula and there is no levy limit in 2016. Ms. Harkess explained that LGA funds can be used to offset the levy or other projects. If LGA would no longer be available the general fund budget would need to be tightened. City Manager Mornson and Finance Director Harkess explained that project costs are not paid from the General Fund and that SWLRT project costs would be paid for with MSA funding, Enterprise Funds or grants. Mayor Maxwell asked about the percentage increase in the General Fund Budget. Ms. Harkess explained that the increase is consistent with the FMP. Ms. Harkess discussed how the growth in the tax base affects the tax rate level. Council Member Gadd asked about Hennepin County assessing contract increase and Albert Pike building budget. Ms. Harkess explained that the Hennepin County increase is similar to the previous year and that the Albert Pike budget is for utilities, supplies and insurance. Staff is still working on the details of the newly acquired building. Police Chief Reynolds discussed the proposed additional personnel for the 2016 budget. Chief Reynolds explained that the position would involve increasing the Parking Enforcement Officer to full-time to manage the evidence property room. Chief Reynolds explained how the duties of the property room are currently being handled and stated that the new position would reduce HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS AUGUST 11, 2015 turnover and better serve the needs of the public, police officers and prosecuting attorneys. Chief Reynolds explained that the position requires certification but the Public Service Officer and Investigative Sergeant would be available to back up the staff for time off. The staff person would work approximately 29 hours parking enforcement and 11 hours property room but would be available to staff the property room as needed to provide timely customer service. Council Member Cummings asked about a set work schedule. Chief Reynolds explained that staff would be setting up a procedure for the position. Council Member Gadd asked about the number of property room requests. Chief Reynolds commented that prosecutions are on the rise and that there are weekly requests for evidence. Fire Chief Specken discussed the proposed two full-time Fire Department positions. Chief Specken explained the continued difficulty in filling the daytime duty crew positions. Medical call volume has increased 10% per year with approximately 4-6 medical calls per day. The duty crew takes the burden off the Police Department of responding to medical calls and has reduced the need for Fire Department all calls. Council Member Kuznia asked about the cost of training a fire fighter. Chief Specken explained that the cost to train a fire fighter is approximately $8-10,000 and the department needs 4-5 years of staff retention to compensate for the expenses. Council Member Cummings commented that the Police and Fire Departments have not grown at the same rate as the population and additional staffing would allow the department to continue to offer the level of service to the public. Council Member Halverson asked about the number of home visits. Chief Specken explained that the Park Nicollet Home Visit program mission is to reduce medical calls and hospital readmissions and staff makes approximately 1-2 home visits each week. Staff is continuing to look for funding to continue the program. There was discussion regarding overtime for the full-time duty crew. Chief Specken will clarify and update the Council on the overtime procedure. Chief Reynolds commented that the Police Department supports the need for the full-time duty crew to respond to the increasing number of medical calls. There was Council discussion regarding the impact of the levy increase. Ms. Harkess will refine the budget increase and update the Council on how it impacts property taxes. Council consensus on the staffing increase request was in favor of the 2016 General Fund Budget version 2. Staff will present updated budget information to the Council at the next meeting and then schedule the date for the budget presentation. HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS AUGUST 11, 2015 UPDATES  Council Member Halverson commented that the City Hall logo needs maintenance.  Council Member Gadd discussed the concept for a long-term strategic plan for economic development.  Council Member Cummings shared positive comments from a Hopkins business owner and asked about the future of organic recycling. City Manager Mornson commented that organic recycling would be a topic of discussion at a future work session.  There was discussion regarding the status of the Curry & Noodles restaurant. Staff is unsure of status at this time.  Mainstreet Bar & Grill will be closed for 3 days for interior remodeling.  There was discussion of the Façade Loan program. Mr. Mornson commented that the program is just getting started.  Mr. Mornson updated the Council on a Hopkins Center for the Arts fundraising grant. Art Center staff will update the Council in October and March.  Mr. Mornson updated the Council on upcoming Council agendas: the PPL project, Community Solar Garden agreement, Johnson building and SWLRT Operations & Maintenance Facility approvals.  The Joint Meeting with the City of Minnetonka will be at Minnetonka City Hall on Monday, September 21 at 6 p.m. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the City Council and upon a motion by Cummings, second by Gadd, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 7:54 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Debbie Vold COUNCIL MEMBERS ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ATTEST: _________________________________ ____________________________________ Eugene J. Maxwell, Mayor Amy Domeier, City Clerk