Minutes - Council Work Session - 11/05/2008

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$35,000 would need to be cut from the budget. She reviewed the proposed budget changes. She stated that the preliminary budget included a pay increase for the volunteer fire fighters from $12.50 to $13.75. She stated that staff is recommending that there be 3% COLA rather than an hourly increase, similar to other City employees. She stated that this would result in a savings of $17,800. She suggested that this be added to the balance in the contingency fund for additional costs related to the Northstar commuter rail. She stated that the next proposed change is in the Community Development Department. She stated that the preliminary budget included a Planning Manager to replace Assistant Community Development Director Frolik as well as a replacement of the Associate Planner She stated that staff is recommending that the two positions be replaced with a Senior Planner and a half -time HRA Manager. She noted that this results in a savings of about $41,508, which leaves $6,508 to put into the contingency fund. Councilmember Jeffrey asked if both positions are currently paid out of HRA funds. Finance Officer Lund stated that 50% of each position is paid out of HRA and the change would result in the Senior Planner being funded 50% from HRA and the HRA Manager being funded 100 % with HRA funds. Councilmember Dehen arrived at 5:44 p.m. Finance Officer Lund stated that if there are no changes, she will bring this forward for the final budget adoption. City Administrator Ulrich stated that he wanted to compliment staff because they have been cooperative all along in working to push out any waste. He stated that he thinks an excellent job was done in all departments. He distributed copies of the results of the survey completed at the last work session. He stated that the surveys were interesting and gave a good idea of where staff and Council stood on these issues. Mayor Gamec stated that he found prioritizing very difficult because this is such a service oriented thing. Councilmember Strommen stated that they voiced the same thoughts at the last work session that the Mayor missed. 2) 2009 — 2013 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Mayor Gamec reminded everyone that the CIP is just a plan or a list of goals, not approval of these items. City Administrator Ulrich stated that they would like to have this document approved by year end and noted that it still needs to go before the Park and Recreation Commission. He stated that the fifth year tends to have items for that year and beyond, so it serves as kind of a place holder for things that the City would like to see completed in the future. City Council Work Session / November 5, 2008 Page 2 of 5