Loading...
05/05/1992 - City Council Special MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE EAGAN CITY COUNCIL Eagan, Minnesota May 5, 1992 A special City Council meeting was held on Tuesday, May 5, 1992, in Conference Rooms A and B of the Eagan Municipal Center building at 5:00 p.m. for the purpose of hearing a presentation by Electronic Interiors Inc. to Improve the sound system and camera equipment for use In the Council Chambers. Present were Mayor Egan and City Councilmembers Awada, McCrea, Pawlenty and Wachter. Also present were Assistant to the Administrator Hohenstein and City Administrator Hedges. CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S UPDATE City Administrator Hedges provided an update on the status of the sales tax to be implemented on local government purchasing effective June 1, 1992 by the Minnesota Legislature and the potential reduction In the December HACA payment due to the State's forecast of less sales tax collection during the next several months. He stated that the payment of sales tax was not anticipated In 1992 and could cost the City $30,000-$40,000 in additional expenses without any budget adjustment. The City Administrator further stated that the City Council did budget a contingency for 1992 that would adequately offset the amount forecasted by the State as a potential reduction In December. City Administrator Hedges outlined several proposals for adjusting the 1992 budget to offset the anticipated sales tax increase. He stated that the hiring of two police officers was contingent on the outcome of the 1992 Minnesota legislative session and one alternative is to reduce the general fund budget by one police officer or delay the starting of both police officers. He stated that other alternatives that were discussed with the department heads included reduction of a program or reduction of spending throughout all departments to reflect the State mandate whereby cities Incur sales tax June 1, 1992. Mayor Egan asked for discussion on the various alternatives that were outlined by the City Administrator regarding a reduction In spending to offset a statewide mandate that will cause the City of Eagan to incur approximately $30,000-$40,000 more expense in payment of sales tax. After discussion on the various alternatives, there was a strong consensus that the City's highest priority In order to maintain excellence in law enforcement was to acknowledge the hiring of the two police officers as budgeted and further that there be no reduction of entire programs in any City department at this time. The City Administrator was directed by the City Council to reduce spending throughout all departments on a proportionate basis to offset the additional expense for sales tax Incurred In 1992. The City Administrator continued his update by acknowledging that he is beginning preparation of the 1993 budget and provided an update on the status of the upcoming outdoor swimming pod/indoor arena referendum. PRESENTATION BY ELECTRONIC INTERIORS INC./ SOUND SYSTEM AND CAMERA EQUIPMENT FOR COUNCIL CHAMBERS Cable Coordinator Mike Reardon stated that Electronic Interiors Inc. was hired after submitting a proposal to the City of Eagan, at the City's request, to act as the City's "electronic media consultants and designers" to prepare a two-phase approach to the evaluation, assessment, plan development and replacement and/or expansion of the Council Chambers' television. production capabilities. He introduced Dick Stewart and Kate O'Reilly, the representatives from Electronic Interiors Inc., who reviewed the results of their study which Included assessing the current condition of the equipment, the Council Chambers' production capabilities and developing a three-level equipment replacement and/or expansion plan that would incorporate findings along with a budget for each level. Stewart presented the program stating that each of the three distinct levels could be Implemented at the Citys discretion, although each level requires Implementation of the previous level as a foundation on which to build the next level. He further stated that Levels 1 and 2 could be accomplished within the existing building structure, while Level 3, if done completely, would require additional control room space that would best be provided In new building construction. Stewart summarized Level 1 stating that this Improvement addresses the replacement and enhancement of the existing Chambers cable coverage/videotape recording technology. He stated with Level 1 as a foundation, Level 2 adds presentation assistance technology to assist with the actual meeting process, requiring some physical change to the Chambers. He further stated that if Level 3 were to be pursued, the Council would add the primary tools needed for media support used frequently outside the basic meeting, such as mobile equipment, enhanced editing and a titling devise. City Councilmembers raised concern about the cost of proceeding with both Levels 1 and 2 and questioned whether it would be imperative to proceed with Level 2 at this time. City Counciimember McCrea suggested that Mayor Egan speak with the Burnsville Mayor, whose City Council Chambers have the equivalent of all three levels and whether, In his opinion, the system was under or overbuilt. After further discussion on cost and whether Level 1 or Levels 1 and 2 should proceed ahead, City Councllmember McCrea reminded the City Council that communications has been the number one goal and the City should strive for excellence in Council Chambers' production capabilities for its viewers. Mayor Egan and City Councilmember Pawlenty suggested that a better cable production of the City Council meetings will increase viewership and, as a result, provide a greater interest In local government. After further discussion, the City Councilmembers reached a consensus that the City should proceed with Levels 1 and 2 at this time and that City's retained franchise fees collected from the cable user would underwrite the capital expense. Mayor Egan suggested that formal action be taken at the May 20 regular Council meeting and that in the meantime he would contact either the Mayor or a member of the City Council from Burnsville and asked that the City Administrator contact the Burnsville City Manager to further review this matter. OTHER BUSINESS There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:15 p.m. TLH May 5, 1992 Date City Gerk