September 23, 2019 Special City Council Meeting Minutes

ADOPTED Resolution No. 59-19 approving the Preliminary Budget and Property Tax Levy for taxes collectible in 2020 and setting the final budget and levy public input meeting

The City Administrator briefly reviewed the packet materials and the proposed budget changes since the last Budget and Finance Committee meeting. Administrator Anderson summarized the reductions and compared the major changes between the 2019 approved budget and the 2020 proposed budget. He further noted the local government aid (LGA) payments due to be received from the State in 2020 will increase $163,942 (3.97%) to a total of $4,293,898. The proposed expenditure reductions result in a preliminary levy of $2,931,036. This amount is an increase of $139,572 (5%) over the levy approved for the 2019 budget. City Administrator Anderson noted that the City received about $117,000 less in revenues than those certified and budgeted due to tax court settlements for Menards and overhead power lines in Koochiching County. Anderson noted that the City will need to issue bonds in 2020 to finance improvement projects such as the Highway 53 Reconstruction, with the intention to pay the bonds off with revenues from the new local sales and use tax. The Airport Commission has requested $1,500,000 in bonding money from the State of Minnesota. If the State of Minnesota does not grant the Airport that bonding money, the City will need to bond and finance the City’s share of the project. Anderson noted that the Ambulance deficit has not been addressed in this budget, but rates were increased January 1, 2019. Money was added to promote the full count for the 2020 Census. The City Council reviewed the revenues and expenditures outlined in Exhibit A to the resolution of approval.

MOTION by Councilor Buller to adopt Resolution No. 59-19 approving the Preliminary Budget and Property Tax Levy for taxes collectible in 2020 and setting the final budget and levy input meeting for Monday, December 2, 2016 at 6:00 P.M. following the regular City Council meeting. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously.

APPROVE Hire of Two (2) Maintenance Worker I applicants to the Public Works Department

MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve the hire of Nick Kittelson to the Public Works department in the Maintenance Worker I position, with a starting wage of eighty percent (80%) of the current Maintenance Worker I rate of pay. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve the hire of Eric Drewes to the Public Works department in the Maintenance Worker I position, with a starting wage of eighty percent (80%) of the current Maintenance Worker I rate of pay. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried unanimously.

ADOPTED Resolution No. 60-19 declaring a vacancy to the elected position of Mayor

MOTION by Councilor Krause to adopt Resolution No. 60-19 declaring a vacancy to the elected position of Mayor. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried unanimously. Mayor Pro Tem Droba fondly remembered his time on the Council with the Honorable Mayor Anderson and acknowledged the late Mayor’s community activism and outreach.

APPROVED setting Special City Council meeting on September 30, 2019 at 5:00 P.M. to discuss process to fill Mayor vacancy

Mayor Pro Tem Droba expressed his desire to move quickly in filling the vacancy of Mayor to ensure that there is a full Council for acting on important decisions such as the Highway 53 Reconstruction project, bonding, etc. MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve setting a Special City Council meeting on September 30, 2019 at 5:00 P.M. to discuss the process to fill the vacancy to the elected position of Mayor and committees he served. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried unanimously.

ADJOURNMENT 

Mayor Pro Tem Droba adjourned the meeting at 5:35 P.M.