Each year the city develops a budget for the following year. The process starts along about June and continues through the summer. The budget process involves a look at current finances, service levels and needs of the city. There is also consideration given to the revenue side of things. We all have to work within our means.
The council has concerns with the level of taxation as the city has experienced a reduction in the overall market value of the city. Property values have sided lower with changes in the market. Tax appeals have occurred reducing values and some property formally part of the city is no longer within the city. The State of Minnesota has also changed tax policy in reducing overall values. There have been lots of factors that come into play in reducing overall values of property.
Keeping this in mind the council had established goals for the 2013 budget and levy. They wanted to maintain or possibly reduce the overall levy. They also wanted to maintain current service levels and have departments live with the current expenditure limits that exist for 2012. With that in mind each department looked at priorities for spending, working their budgets to meet these needs.
A balanced draft budget was accomplished working around the same levy request as that for the 2012 budget year. The preliminary levy saw increases in the debt service levy with some reductions in the general fund levy. In the end, the preliminary levy certified for 2013 is the same levy as that requested for 2012. We continue to work on the budget and hope to find additional economies to further reduce the final levy. The final levy will be accomplished at the December meeting with an overview to our budget.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Monday, September 10, 2012
Walkways at City Hall
The city hall will soon sport new sidewalks.
If you have been to city hall you may have noticed the sidewalks have seen some deterioration. They were installed when the building was built in 1995. Exposed aggregate was used presumably to retard slipping in winter months. This may have been the thing to do at the time but with application of salt over the years the sidewalks have really taken a beating. The main walkway into the building has a large crack and hole creating a tripping hazard. They need to be replaced.
It was also felt that an additional sidewalk for handicap accessibility could be created on the east side of the building adjacent to the ramp to the council chambers. Recently we added door openers for accessibility on both entrances to the building, thus further improving access.
Quotes were received for this replacement. Quotes ranged from $1,200 to $1,625. The low quote was awarded and sidewalk replacements should be accomplished in the next week or so. Along with that installation we’ll take the time to do some minor repairs and staining of the wood boardwalks and railings. During the construction there will be some shifting of accesses as the main entryway will be closed. With any luck the disruption will only last a few days.
In the end, the sidewalks will be installed with a smooth broomed finish. A sealer will be applied to the concrete to aid in its durability. The concrete strength will be improved to stand up to salt applications that winter brings. And besides looking better, we’ll also have improved access with safer conditions.
If you have been to city hall you may have noticed the sidewalks have seen some deterioration. They were installed when the building was built in 1995. Exposed aggregate was used presumably to retard slipping in winter months. This may have been the thing to do at the time but with application of salt over the years the sidewalks have really taken a beating. The main walkway into the building has a large crack and hole creating a tripping hazard. They need to be replaced.
It was also felt that an additional sidewalk for handicap accessibility could be created on the east side of the building adjacent to the ramp to the council chambers. Recently we added door openers for accessibility on both entrances to the building, thus further improving access.
Quotes were received for this replacement. Quotes ranged from $1,200 to $1,625. The low quote was awarded and sidewalk replacements should be accomplished in the next week or so. Along with that installation we’ll take the time to do some minor repairs and staining of the wood boardwalks and railings. During the construction there will be some shifting of accesses as the main entryway will be closed. With any luck the disruption will only last a few days.
In the end, the sidewalks will be installed with a smooth broomed finish. A sealer will be applied to the concrete to aid in its durability. The concrete strength will be improved to stand up to salt applications that winter brings. And besides looking better, we’ll also have improved access with safer conditions.
Friday, September 7, 2012
Charter Improvements
Perhaps you have seen some construction near the ball fields at City Park. The area in question is just off North Drive on the west end of the ball field. There has been survey stakes at this location for about a month. What’s this all about?
Charter Cable has been operating their cable system from a small metal box at the intersection of Co. Rd. 11 and North Drive. You may have seen a Charter Cable truck there from time to time. This metal box has become too small to house all the equipment that serves the city with Cable TV. It is also subject to problems such as high temperatures. Charter had requested to build a larger box at this location but doing that would create safety issues with sight lines at the intersection. In working with them it was discussed that what they really wanted was a building that could house their equipment. Then it could be air conditioned to maintain proper operations and better quality with all the room they needed.
Locating at the present location was not an option. Trying to locate immediately south of the public works building was also not an option. Proper setbacks couldn’t be met. In continuing to look at property the city owns a location was found that would meet their needs. They wanted a 40 by 40 foot footprint for a concrete slab to house a 20 by 20 foot building. The slab would be enclosed by a chain link fence. The building would house the equipment needed for cable TV. The building would be outfitted with air conditioning and a backup generator to deal with power outages. As luck would have it the site was “shoehorned” into a location between the paved trail and a sanitary sewer easement. This location had little use except for green space.
The city agreed to lease this property to Charter for the purpose of improving their ability to serve the community. The process of construction has stated. We now have a small structure in this location. And with a good deal of work there will be new equipment serving Breezy Point with Cable TV.
Charter Cable has been operating their cable system from a small metal box at the intersection of Co. Rd. 11 and North Drive. You may have seen a Charter Cable truck there from time to time. This metal box has become too small to house all the equipment that serves the city with Cable TV. It is also subject to problems such as high temperatures. Charter had requested to build a larger box at this location but doing that would create safety issues with sight lines at the intersection. In working with them it was discussed that what they really wanted was a building that could house their equipment. Then it could be air conditioned to maintain proper operations and better quality with all the room they needed.
Locating at the present location was not an option. Trying to locate immediately south of the public works building was also not an option. Proper setbacks couldn’t be met. In continuing to look at property the city owns a location was found that would meet their needs. They wanted a 40 by 40 foot footprint for a concrete slab to house a 20 by 20 foot building. The slab would be enclosed by a chain link fence. The building would house the equipment needed for cable TV. The building would be outfitted with air conditioning and a backup generator to deal with power outages. As luck would have it the site was “shoehorned” into a location between the paved trail and a sanitary sewer easement. This location had little use except for green space.
The city agreed to lease this property to Charter for the purpose of improving their ability to serve the community. The process of construction has stated. We now have a small structure in this location. And with a good deal of work there will be new equipment serving Breezy Point with Cable TV.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)