Minutes - Council Work Session - 08/30/2005

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Staff and Council discussed capital expenses in the following areas of the proposed 2006 budget: Data Processing, Police Protection, Fire Protection, Building Inspection, Civil Defense, Enginecring, Street Maintenance, and Parks. Therc was considerable discussion of vehicle rotation and replacement. Counci hnember Cook stressed the need for an ISF program to determine the appropriate time to rotate vehicles and equipment out of the City's fleet. Assistant City Administrator Nelson indicated staff currently conducts assessments of the City vehicles. fl'he consensus of the Council was to direct staff to provide further information regarding the following vehicles to be included in the budget: three additional cars in total, one for Administrative Staff, one for Engineering Staff, one for Fire Staff. Public Works Director Kapler advised Fire Engine No. 1 is scheduled to be replaced in 2008. Counci lmember Elvig expressed concern with the large budgeted amount in the miscellaneous category under operating costs. He questioned whether these expenses include enough detail. Finance Officer Lund explained items under $5,000 are now included in miscellaneous accounts. Mayor Gamec suggested the Teambuilding Facilitator be eliminated from the 2006 budget, and rather bc utilized every other year. He noted eliminating this from the budget will cover the cost of thc full time Building Maintenance position. Thc consensus of the Council was to eliminate the Teambuilding Facilitator from the 2006 budget. Public Works Director Kapler indicated diesel fuel can be utilized in marked City vehicles tax- fi'et, as was earlier suggested by Councilmember Cook. He noted this tax is currently 24 cents per gallon; last year the City purchased approximately 12,000 gallons of diesel fuel, which would come to approximately $3,000 in potential savings. Some of the fuel providers the City deals with will provide the City with the tank if there is an exclusive agreement for a period of time. City Administrator Norman advised the proposed budget includes the EDA levy. He noted Counci hnember Strommen requested a discussion of a funding request by Alexander House. He advised the funding request is for $5,000; it would be included as a line item and would not have a budget impact. Mayor Gamec expressed concern with providing funding to Alexander House, which would result in funding requests fi'om other organizations as well. City Administrator Norman indicated staff would like to include an agenda item on the next work session agenda to provide direction for the preliminary budget. Mayor Gamec noted the consensus of the Council is to review the budget in relation to the 40.2699% tax capacity rate with a transfer from the Landfill Trust Fund. He directed staff to City Council Work Session / August 30, 2005 Page 3 of 4