City Council Workshop

Blaine City Hall City of Blaine 10801 Town Sq Dr NE Blaine, MN 55449 Anoka County, Minnesota Minutes - Final City Council Workshop Thursday, August 3, 2017 6:30 PM Cloverleaf Farm Room A NOTICE OF WORKSHOP MEETING 1 Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Mayor Ryan at 6:30 p.m. 2 Roll Call Quorum Present. ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Clark Arneson; Planning and Community Development Director Bryan Schafer; Interim Police Chief/Safety Services Manager Dan Szykulski; Finance Director Joe Huss; Public Services Manager/Assistant City Manager Bob Therres; City Engineer Jean Keely; City Attorney Patrick Sweeney; Communications Technician Roark Haver; Senior Engineering Technician Al Thorp; and City Clerk Catherine Sorensen. Present: 6 - Councilmember Hovland, Councilmember Clark, Councilmember King, Councilmember Jeppson, Mayor Ryan, and Councilmember Swanson Absent: 1 - Councilmember Garvais 3 New Business 3-1 WS 17-48 2018 GENERAL FUND BUDGET UPDATE - POSITION PRIORITIZATION Finance Director Huss stated per Council direction at the July 20 workshop, staff was requested to present for Council review a summary of staff’s priorities for new positions to be funded in the 2018 General Fund. He reviewed the adjustments made to the budget along with updated valuations from Anoka County. It was noted the budget still had a $250,000 gap. Staff requested feedback on Council’s priorities for the 2018 General Fund Budget. Councilmember King asked if the roof repair work that was being done would be covered by insurance. Public Services Manager/Assistant City Manager Therres stated work has stopped on this project to see if insurance will cover the hail damage. City of Blaine Page 1 City Council Workshop Minutes - Final August 3, 2017 Councilmember King questioned where the City was at in the hiring process for the Public Works Director. City Manager Arneson explained John Haukass has been hired for this position and is expected to start in September. Councilmember Hovland asked if the City would be receiving any funding to assist with the storm damage cleanup. Public Services Manager/Assistant City Manager Therres reported the City has applied for FEMA funding but was uncertain if any will be received. Finance Director Huss stated that any funds received would be placed in the insurance fund to cover the costs incurred by the City. Further discussion ensued regarding the City’s self-insurance and insurance through the LMCIT. Councilmember Jeppson requested further information on the City’s body camera policy. Interim Police Chief/Safety Services Manager Szykulski commented on the City’s body camera policy noting it was in draft form at this time. He reported the City’s policy was in line with the League of Minnesota Cities and explained the policy would be reviewed on a yearly basis in order to make any necessary changes. He provided further comment on the de-escalation training that Blaine Police Officers would be attending. Further discussion ensued regarding the City’s data practices schedule for body cameras. The Council recognized the Building Inspection staff for the additional work and extra hours they are putting in to handle the storm damage permits and repair. Councilmember Clark stated his priorities were to give additional resources to the Police Department for traffic enforcement and community crimes (break-ins). Councilmember Jeppson requested further information on the budget timeline. Finance Director Huss reviewed the budget timeline with the Council. The Council discussed how the Blaine taxpayers would be impacted if a levy increase was approved. Mayor Ryan commented that the City’s budget may have to increase given the fact the City was expanding along with its infrastructure. Councilmember King stated he would like the City to review its long-term parks maintenance plan. Public Services Manager/Assistant City Manager Therres commented on the City’s five-year park maintenance program. Councilmember Hovland questioned when the City’s permit revenues would drop City of Blaine Page 2 City Council Workshop Minutes - Final August 3, 2017 off. Finance Director Huss anticipated this would fall off after the next five years. Additional discussion was held regarding the value of permit revenues for developing cities. Mayor Ryan stated the City may have to consider a separate park referendum, like Coon Rapids, in order to begin improving its parks. Council consensus was to continue the budget prioritization discussion to the Thursday, August 17th workshop. Discussed and continued to August 17, 2017. Other Business City Manager Arneson reported the August 10th Council Workshop meeting would be canceled due to lack of quorum. City Clerk Sorensen noted Invictus had requested to serve samples at their groundbreaking event on Monday, August 14th as allowed by Statute. The Council supported this request. Councilmember Clark asked if bikes and dogs were allowed on the boardwalk in the Blaine Wetland Sanctuary. Public Services Manager/Assistant City Manager Therres reported bikes and dogs were allowed within the wetland sanctuary. He stated this park would be treated in the same manner as the City’s other parks. Informational; no action required. ADJOURN The Workshop was adjourned at 7:30 p.m. Adjourned City of Blaine Page 3