Minutes - Council Work Session - 09/02/2014

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION CITY OF RAMSEY ANOKA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA The Ramsey City Council conducted a City Council Work Session on Tuesday, September 2, 2014, at the Ramsey Municipal Center, 7550 Sunwood Drive NW, Ramsey, Minnesota. Members Present: Mayor Sarah Strommen Councilmember Randy Backous Councilmember Jill Johns Councilmember Mark Kuzma Councilmember John LeTourneau Councilmember Chris Riley Councilmember Jason Tossey (arrived at 6:06 p.m.) Also Present: City Administrator 'Curtis Ulrich Finance Director Diana Lund Police Chief James Way Police Captain Jeff Katers Public Works Superintendent Grant Riemer Human Resources Manager Colleen Lasher City Clerk Jo Ann Thieling Community Development Director Timothy Gladhill City Engineer Bruce Westby Assistant to the City Administrator Patrick Brama 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Strommen called the City Council Work Session to order at 6:00 p.m. 2. TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION 2.01: Further Discussion of 2015 Proposed Budget and Levy Finance Director Lund reviewed the staff report, noting the revisions made based on Council direction at its August 11, 2014, Work Session to reduce the levy: Fund Capital Equipment via 50% Equipment Fund and 50% debt; and, offset the road debt with funds remaining from the 2013 Street Maintenance Program. She stated additional revisions were made based on Council direction at its August 26, 2014, meeting to reflect the restructuring of staff in relation to the resignation of the Economic Development Director. Finance Director Lund noted these revisions result in a tax rate of 42.67% and a levy increase of 9.88 %. She stated the HRA fund balance would be $222,000 and while it can still be used, she would recommend waiting for the final numbers before deciding whether to use that fund balance. She provided details on the line item revisions made to date, noting that since the first budget discussion, there has been City Council Work Session / September 2, 2014 Page 1 of 9