2015.11.10 CC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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November 10, 2015 Councilmember Burg discussed the City's historical spending and tax levies. She supported not having all expenditures in 2016 being placed in the levy, but rather being spread across all users. She wanted to see City expenditures remain low, but also wanted to see the City's parks and trails properly maintained. Councilmember Bauman discussed the City's Local Govemment Aid (LGA) contribution. She feared that because the City spends each dollar it receives on an annual basis, it would be difficult to make up the difference without hitting the taxpayers in the end. Councilmember Jacobsen reiterated that the City's spending has been flat since 2007. He discussed how expenses have been on the rise since 2007 and commented that the budget had to rise in order to meet increasing expenses without having to cut City services. Mayor Jacobsen indicated fianchise fees would allow homeowners to monitor their usage and could encourage some homeowners to become more energy efficient He explained the Council took the fiscal responsibility of the City very seriously. He understood the importance of not raising taxes on his constituents and indicated the Council would only do so in oder to maintain basic City services. Motion by Councilmember Burg, seconded by Councilmember Strub to Adopt Ordinances Increasing the Gas and Electric Franchise Fees to 3% of gross revenue collected in New Brighton based on use (per kWh or Therm). 4 Ayes,1 Nay (Bauman) -Motion Carried 2. Consider Ordinance Moving Municipal Elections to Even Numbered Years Concurrently with State and Federal Elections. City Manager Lotter indicated City Clerk Haarstad would be presenting this item to Council. City Clerk Haarstad explained at the City Council work session on November 3, 2015, City staff presented the necessary steps to the City Council if it was decided to move municipal elections to even -numbered years concurrent with State and Federal elections. As a Statutory Plan B City, New Brighton may choose whether to hold municipal elections in an odd or even year cycle. New Brighton currently holds municipal elections in odd -numbered years. The steps to move the elections are outlined in M. S. § 205.07 would have to be followed. Council directed staff to include a report on the November 10th Gtgenda outlining the steps needed in order to make the change. Council also asked for information on the financial aspects of the change and how the change would be communicated to residents. Financial information regarding the move is included in the Financial Impact section of this report and the communication plan is outline further in this report. The procedure for changing municipal elections to even - numbered years is outlined here. 1. The City Council would need to direct staff to proceed with drafting an Ordinance to change Article 2 Section 2-16 Date of Regular Election and 2-17 Effect of Change of the New Brighton City Code (attached). 2. The City Council would need to approve the new Ordinance. 3. The City Council would need to approve a resolution authorizing staff to publish the new Ordinance by Title and Summary. 4. The new Ordinance would need to be published in the legal newspaper. 5. The City Clerk would need to notify the Ramsey County Auditor and MN Secretary of State of the passage of the ordinance in writing. .. The ordinance cannot take effect until 240 days after the ordinance is published. Within the first 180 days of the ordinance's publication, the voting public may stop the ordinance from taking effect by submitting a petition to the City Clerk indicating that they do not agree with the proposed change. This petition must be signed by a number of New Brighton residents equal to at least ten -percent of the total votes cast in the last municipal election. a. Should such a petition be submitted, the new ordinance would not become Page 5 of 9 2. Consider Ord ranee Moving Municipal Elections to Even Numbered Years Concurrently with State and Federal Elections.