What this meeting did about specific topics, organized by issue rather than by document.
2024 General Fund budget work session
The Council, staff, and Finance Consultant Lori Yager reviewed proposed 2024 General Fund budget changes from the prior work session and went through remaining funds for 2024 budgeting purposes. Discussion included the administrator review, recycling center, gambling contributions, debt service, park improvements, building improvements, turnout gear, road improvements, and the understanding that reductions would affect fund-balance use rather than the preliminary levy.
Agenda: 2. Speakers: Mayor Pilon, Council Members Rainville, Fladebo, Alders and Breyen, Administrator Lehner, Deputy Clerk Johnson, Finance Consultant Lori Yager.
Recycling Center budget and fees
The Recycling Center budget was discussed with a goal of net zero. The minutes list possible fee increases, shorter open hours, fewer free items on recycling days, possible Anoka County help with the deficit, and the option of contracted haulers to satisfy MPCA requirements. Donna was assigned to prepare a fee-schedule presentation for the next work session.
Agenda: 2. Speakers: Mayor Pilon, Council Members Rainville, Fladebo, Alders and Breyen, Administrator Lehner, Deputy Clerk Johnson, Finance Consultant Lori Yager.
Gambling contributions and public safety funding
Staff said they hoped to have a draft ordinance on the September 12 agenda for Special Revenue Fund gambling contributions. The minutes also note a proposal to transfer some gambling contributions to offset the Sheriff’s Department, and later note that gambling contributions could help fund firefighter turnout gear.
Agenda: 2. Speakers: Mayor Pilon, Council Members Rainville, Fladebo, Alders and Breyen, Administrator Lehner, Deputy Clerk Johnson, Finance Consultant Lori Yager.
Debt service and fire tanker rebate
The Council discussed debt service cleanup as road projects are completed, including transferring balances to the general fund or debt service payment. Staff also received an action item to determine what the 3% rebate for the fire tanker should be.
Agenda: 2. Speakers: Mayor Pilon, Council Members Rainville, Fladebo, Alders and Breyen, Administrator Lehner, Deputy Clerk Johnson, Finance Consultant Lori Yager.
Park Improvement Fund and pickleball court
The Park Improvement Fund was reviewed as a fund supported by development at platting or building permit fees and not affecting the levy. Discussion included possible concession building improvements, possible cameras or signage after vandalism concerns, whether to remove the Human Foosball court, and the planned pickleball court, for which $50,000 was set aside but more money would be needed beyond engineering.
Agenda: 2. Speakers: Mayor Pilon, Council Members Rainville, Fladebo, Alders and Breyen, Administrator Lehner, Deputy Clerk Johnson, Finance Consultant Lori Yager.
Building Improvement Fund and city facilities
The Building Improvement Fund was reviewed. The minutes state that $135,000 was transferred to the fund in 2023, including $75,000 for Historic Town Hall, that $60,000 was spent on existing city office updates, that $66,500 remained in the Historic Town Hall improvement fund, and that $175,000 remained available for a larger well for the Fire Department tanker; no funds were available for a city office addition with a permanent Council Chamber.
Agenda: 2. Speakers: Mayor Pilon, Council Members Rainville, Fladebo, Alders and Breyen, Administrator Lehner, Deputy Clerk Johnson, Finance Consultant Lori Yager.
Road Improvement Fund and Waco Drive feasibility study
The Council discussed the Road Improvement Fund, including added bituminous maintenance, the need for Jasper asphalt, a road plan update, and a possible PACER study. The Council then carried a motion authorizing Administrator Lehner to work with the City Engineer on a feasibility study for necessary Waco Drive repairs or replacements in 2024.
Agenda: 2. Motions: M1_waco_drive_feasibility_study. Speakers: Mayor Pilon, Council Member Rainville, Council Members Fladebo, Alders and Breyen, Administrator Lehner.