Special meeting and Work Session
Kiffi Summa, LWV Observer
After the roll call, the once again seven-member Council embarked on the Regular Agenda. The first two of the four items comprising that agenda were related to the development of the Jasnoch family’s Locust Development Second Addition. The Planning Commission had recommended approval of both these resolutions.
Resolution 2008 - 094 - Consider approval of a PUD Conceptual Development Plan. The City Planner, Dan Olson, presented this item and gave a little insight into the new form-based regulations that will accompany the new Comprehensive Plan. Although the new Comp Plan and its regulations are not quite completed, Planner Olson felt that this was a good time to integrate them into this upcoming development, which is one of two properties in the city which had a designation of “mixed-use”. (The other mixed use designation is the property at North and Cedar, adjoining the NF Hospital’s property). C. Nelson commented that Mr Jasnoch’s family firm had added more tax base to this community, without the use of TIF funds, than any other he could think of at the moment. C. Denison both complimented Mr Jasnoch’s business “savvy” and wondered if he was reacting to the need for rental housing, as a result of the new rental ordinance. (Part of the development will be a 45 unit apartment complex).
*VOTE: All Aye
Resolution 2008 - 095 - Consider approval of a preliminary Plat for the Locust development Second Addition. Dan Olson again presented, giving some detail of the stormwater management for this property, but saying that most detail would come with the Final PUD and Final Plat. Mayor Lansing inquired if Mr. Jasnoch would be able to begin actually moving ahead, if the council approved this action, and Mr. Olson said “yes”.
*VOTE: All Aye
Resolution 2008 - 096 - Award bids and Approve Contract for 2005 Improvement # 005 - Woodley from Prairie to Jefferson. Interim City Administrator, Joel Walinski, presented this third agenda item, and said that now that MNDOT had approved the final details of the contract, the project could move ahead. Katy Gehler-Hess, the City Engineer, explained that the resolution contained a choice for the Council; they must make a decision on the surface treatment of the concrete on a small bridge over a culvert. Two options were presented, the first being a vertically ridged surface and the second, a stamped surface which replicates stone block. The second option would cost an additional $19, 000, but after a long discussion the council decided this was a more appropriate quality look for Northfield. The additional costs would be covered by existing funds. Embedded in the council’s discussion was the use, loss, availability of MN State Aid funds; Mr. Walinski promised to bring further information on MSA funds back to a council work session in October.
*VOTE: All Aye, except Dixon Bond.
Resolution 2008 - 097 - Approve application for exempt gambling permit/ St. Thomas/ raffles/ at Northfield Golf Club - There was no discussion
*VOTE: All Aye
Work Session
The Budget was the first item on the Work Session agenda. This followed up on the initial presentation on August 11th, by the City’s Finance Director, Kathleen McBride. The purpose was to seek Council direction on modifying the General Fund Budget and preliminary tax levy prior to its approval at the first regular meeting in September (Sept. 8th).
Property Tax Levy - At the August 11th work session, the increase in the City’s property tax levy was projected to be $587,040. The debt service fund projections have been updated, and several reductions have been made. In addition to the debt levy reductions, the City has received formal notice of the levy limit for 2009 from the MN Dept. of Revenue. The increase allowed under the new legislation is capped at $382, 370. This represents a decrease of $21, 247. from the initial estimate. With the above mentioned reductions, the property tax levy for next year increases by $453, 893. , or 7.3% over the current year amount. This is the smallest increase since 2005. A table showing the impact on different types and values of properties was distributed. A homesteaded residential property , valued at $250, 000 , would have a yearly increase of $50.41. A commercial property, valued at $1,000,000, would have a yearly increase of $397.48.
Proposed 2009 General Fund Budget - Since the August 11th work session, department requests have been reviewed and compiled. Based upon the initial revenue estimate provided on the 11th, and compared to the total of departmental requests for next year, the budget gap came in at just under $800,000. Focusing on internal services rather than those delivered to the public, a series of reductions have been made ($483,069 ) to close the gap. The majority of the reductions proposed represent permanent cuts. In addition to the reductions, revenues have been reviewed and several changes made ($246,884). The budget was finally balanced with the use of $55,849 in fund balance (interest ,etc.) A summary of the reductions and revenue changes was presented.
Beyond 2009 - The focus on budget cuts for 2009 have been “quiet” reductions, meaning they are felt internally; further cuts can be expected in 2010. The nature of these future reductions will not be “quiet” and will impact service levels to the public.
*** Note: Much of the above is directly quoted from the staff report. As reported, after the meeting on the 11th, the financial state of the city is somewhat “dire”, as is the general economy. Ms. Mc Bride repeatedly emphasized the seriousness of the budget considerations to the council. The observer does not wish to report on the council’s comments; please discuss your concerns with your council representative.
The second part of the Work session was a joint discussion, with the Planning Commission, of the Draft 2008 Comprehensive Plan. City Planner Dan Olson led the Council and PC members through a Power Point presentation of the structure and contents, goals and objectives of the new Plan. It was very encouraging to see the Planner’s obvious pleasure in the anticipation of the success of this long and arduous process. Mr. Olson stressed the importance of the heavy citizen involvement, Boards and Commissions, as being integral to the success of the project. With the Comp Plan and its accompanying land use regulations coming out virtually simultaneously, the results for the community should be much more satisfying, in realizing both the policies and implementations which are guided by the Plan. Comments were made by the Council regarding the necessity of having the political will to use the Plan as a Guiding Principle to always be referred to, in their decision making processes over the next years.
The meeting adjourned at 9:50 PM.
