City Council

September 8, 2014 MINOT CITY COUNCIL – SCHEDULED MEETING – 6:30 P.M. ROLL CALL Members Present: Berg, Connole, Frantsvog, Frey, Hatlelid, Jantzer, Lehner, Miller, Olson, Pankow, Schuler, Seymour. Members Absent: Shomento. Mayor Chuck Barney presiding. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Barney led the City Council in the Pledge of Allegiance. PUBLIC HEARING - 2015 BUDGET The City Council held a public hearing on the proposed 2015 Annual Budget. Mayor Barney opened the public hearing by asking for any public comment on the proposed Budget. Scott Louser, 1718 Birch Place appeared before the Council to oppose property tax increase and allow the citizens to experience the tax relief passed by the state legislature. He stated his constituents mention increased property taxes as their biggest concern in Minot. When questioned by Alderman Seymour on addressing the other taxing entities in Minot, Mr. Louser said he did intend to address them as well. Kenneth Adkins, 215 6th St NE expressed concern at having his taxes double in the last two years. Betty Flemming, Minot, opposed the tax increases and expressed concern for the excessive traffic and City roads that were not well maintained. Charles Tuttle, 1919 2nd St SE appeared before the Council to ask questions concerning the dismissal of the former City Attorney. Mr. Tuttle supplied information concerning this issue alone and nothing addressing the 2015 budget. Jodi Blake, 332 1st Ave, stated she is in the Maple Diversion and asked if her home would be worth more during buyout since the valuation has increased. The Acting City Manager stated her home would be based on fair market value by an independent appraiser at the time of buyout. Scott Burlingame, 2053 8th St NW, Executive Director of Independence Inc. appeared before the Council to speak on the need for more public transportation in Minot. He said available transportation was very important to those with disabilities and also their caregivers and will be more needed in the future. He encouraged the City to add additional routes and hours of service to the existing schedule. He also expressed his understanding of the difficult decision the Council must make with regard to the budget. Upon questioning by Alderman Schuler, Mr. Burlingame stated the pricing for Minot public transit was fair to those using the service. Roland Arrayan, 709 2nd Ave SE also expressed support for additional transit service. Scott Durham, 412 1st St NE, expressed his concern for how his taxes have risen in the last ten years. He states property owners moving into new developments should bear the costs of their developments. Genevieve Tompers, 111 21st St NW expressed concern for paying higher taxes on her fixed income. Curt Latendresse, 44 County Road 19 South, owner of Machine and Pump expressed the need for long term planning and need for new businesses to pay their fair share of developing infrastructure. He stated the proposed tax increase was unacceptable. Allen Westereng, 905 11th Ave NE, expressed his concern at what moneys were being spent on such as engineering firms for consulting and the Downtown Renewal project. Larry Bellew, 812 Bel Air Place, opposed the increase in property taxes as he is living on a fixed income. He stated owning a home in Minot was expensive and there needed to be more stability in the rates and taxes charged. When questioned by Alderman Seymour on addressing the other taxing entities in Minot, Mr. Bellew said he did intend to address them as well. Carl Clemenson, 1509 5th Ave NW, expressed his opposition to tax increase on behalf of his in-laws and questioned why the  September 8, 2014 City is repeatedly repairing streets with asphalt instead of using concrete. The City Engineer stated asphalt is generally used based on the level of traffic; he commented that he will look at the added cost benefit to using concrete when projects come for reconstruction. Dan Aas, Minot, expressed his opposition to the parking garages being constructed downtown and concern for continued closure and funding of 6th Street underpass. The Acting City Manager explained the 6th Street Underpass project was being completed in multiple phases and was being funded by multiple sources. Mayor Barney explained the intent of the parking garages downtown and the need for additional parking for the businesses and residents downtown. Harry Hughes, 108 40th St SE, stated he believes developers should pay for more costs involved in their developments. Leann Leavitt, 214 Souris Drive, stated she understands Council members also bear the tax burden. She said she has rebuilt from the flood and has chosen to stay in Minot even with the higher cost of living. She asked the Council to find other ways to meet the budget other than to raise taxes. Mike Ensland, 1714 5th Ave SW, stated he disagrees with the tax increase and how some of the moneys are spent. He stated the City needed to work on a reasonable budget. The City Assessor stated for clarification that the 18% increase indicated in the letter was only on the City’s share of property taxes which amounts to 30% of the tax bill. He reminded those in attendance of the other entities that receive property taxes. Mayor Barney encouraged those attending to stay for the discussion of the Committee of the Whole that would follow the meeting. He explained the budget process would require two readings of the ordinance to pass and individuals have an opportunity to express their opinion at the second reading on September 15th. He also encouraged those attending to express their concerns to the other taxing entities in the City. Whereupon, Alderman Frantsvog moved that the public hearing be closed. Motion seconded by Alderman Miller and carried by the following roll call vote: ayes: Berg, Connole, Frantsvog, Frey, Hatlelid, Jantzer, Lehner, Miller, Olson, Pankow, Schuler, Seymour; nays: None. The City Council recessed to a Committee of the Whole meeting at 7:39 p.m. CITY COUNCIL RECONVENES The City Council reconvened following the Committee of the Whole meeting at 8:20 p.m. with the following members in attendance: Berg, Connole, Frantsvog, Frey, Hatlelid, Jantzer, Lehner, Miller, Olson, Pankow, Schuler, Seymour. Mayor Chuck Barney presiding. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE REPORT – AMEND 2015 BUDGET Alderman Jantzer reported on the recommendations of the September 8, 2014, Committee of the Whole meeting and moved that the City amend the 2015 Annual Budget as recommended by the Committee of the Whole, including the base budget as presented by the City Manager, with the following amendments: Additional Staff Budget Requests 1. Add 1 Legal Secretary in the City Attorney Department; 2. Add 1 Financial Specialist in the Finance Department; 3. Add 1 Information Technology Specialist; 4. Add 1 Office and Administrative Specialist in the Police Department; 5. Add 1 Police Officer funded by the COPS Grant; 6. Add 12 Firefighters for 6 months in 2015 equal to 6 FTEs for 2015; 7. Add 1 Commercial Plan Reviewer in Inspections; 8. Add 1 Building Permit Technician in Engineering; 9. Add 1 Zoning Code Enforcement Officer in Engineering; 10. Add 2 Light Equipment Operators in the Street Department; 11. Add 1 Heavy Equipment Operator in the Street Department; 12. Add 1 Airport Facility Foreman for 6 months in 2015; 13. Add 1 Engineering Technician Senior in the Public Works Department; 14. Add 1 Utility Operator/One Call Locator in the Water/Sewer Department;  September 8, 2014 15. Add 1 Light Equipment Operator in the Landfill: 16. Add 2 Full-time Bus Drivers; 17. Add 1 CDBG-DR Invoice Clerk funded by CDBG moneys; 18. Add 3 Police Officers. ORDINANCE NO. 4886 – 2015 ANNUAL BUDGET – FIRST READING - APPROVED Alderman Jantzer moved that the City Council place Ordinance No. 4886, adopting the 2015 Annual Budget, as amended, on first reading. Motion seconded by Alderman Hatlelid and carried by the following roll call vote: ayes: Berg, Connole, Frantsvog, Frey, Hatlelid, Jantzer, Lehner, Miller, Olson, Pankow, Schuler, Seymour. nays: None. Alderman Jantzer moved that Ordinance No. 4886 be passed on first reading. Motion seconded by Alderman Hatlelid and carried by the following roll call vote: : ayes: Berg, Connole, Frantsvog, Frey, Hatlelid, Jantzer, Lehner, Miller, Olson, Pankow, Schuler, Seymour. nays: None. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Alderman B. Miller moved that the meeting be adjourned. Motion seconded by Alderman Olson and carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:24 p.m. ATTEST: APPROVED: _________________________________ Lisa Jundt, City Clerk Chuck Barney, Mayor