Minutes - Council - 01/29/1980 - Special

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He reviewed the various City Departments and reported the following. Ail equipment is upgraded and a City Engineer was added in the budget and a new loader for the Street Department. The City mill increase is 3.47 mills which Council basically feels is necessary. He stated that the applications for City Engineer are not coming in as was expected. The projects for this year will stay the same, handled through Consulting Engineer's. The Council felt that if the City had the projects as they did last year~ that this would alone be enough to reimburse the salary for an Engineer, however, everything seems to have come to a standstill, building, projects, etc. therefore, the Council is again going to review and reconsider the hiring of a full-time City Engineer. He reported that the energy costs rose tremendously, an increase three and four years over lasts years costs. Most of the Police Department cars, etc. are upgraded and in good shape. Street Department equipment is in good shape with the exception of one truck which is to be brought up later in the line item budget. The Park Department proposed $113,000 which had to be cut due to priorities which were far more important at this time. Administrator Schnelle presented a handout on the capital improvement budget and stated that the City has to have this along with the Comprehensive Plan. Mayor Gamec stated that the Park and Recreation Commission will have their budget ready at their next meeting. Mayor Gamec reviewed the status of the City's Comprehensive Plan and noted that the Capital Improvement budget is to be a part of this Plan. He explained the inconsistencies in opinion regarding the lot sizes between the City and Metro Council. He reported that the City has forwarded copies of the septic ordinance and soils ordinance which show how the City can prevent premature sewer in these areas with 2½ and one acre lot sizes. Also Ramsey has the type of soils which are condusive to good septic system operation. The next step in the progress of having the Comprehensive Plan approved is to go 'to the Physical Development Committee and then to EQB and answer their questions. Regarding the Rum River, the DNR will have to approve criteria for this area. Elk River is in lawsuits with the DNR at present. City of Andover zoned their land along the Rum to four acres and City of Anoka is seeking approval for 2½ acre lot sizes. The City of Ramsey has taken scenic easements etc., before the DNR even came along with their regulation~ to protect the river environment. The basic concern seems to be premature sewer necessity. Councilman Cox added that the 2½ acre zoning requirement gives the City the right to enforce the platting ordinance and that is one of the reasons for going from 10 acres down to 2½ acres. This also requires developers to install streets and to have lot and block arrangements. If the City can preserve the quality they want us to have with five to ten acre lot sizes then the City would like to know how it will be able to do it. RE: SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING January 29, 1980 Public Improvements (streets) Capital Improvement Budget fo~ the City Page 3