CCM 12/20/2020
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF FRIDLEY
DECEMBER 21, 2020
The City Council meeting for the City of Fridley was called to order by Mayor Lund at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Lund
Councilmember Ostwald
Councilmember Tillberry
Councilmember Eggert
Councilmember Bolkcom
OTHERS PRESENT: Wally Wysopal, City Manager
Daniel Tienter, Finance Director/City Treasurer/City Clerk
Scott Hickok, Community Development Director
APPROVAL OF PROPOSED CONSENT AGENDA:
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Adopt resolution No. 2020-79 Receiving Report and Calling for Hearing on
Improvement for the 2021 Street Rehabilitation Project No. ST2021-02.
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2020-79.
2. Adopt Resolution No. 2020-80 Approving Gifts, Donations and Sponsorships for the
City of Fridley.
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2020-80.
3. Claims: 191292-191411
APPROVED.
ADOPTION OF PROPOSED CONSENT AGENDA:
MOTION by Councilmember Bolkcom to adopt the proposed consent agenda. Seconded by
Councilmember Tillberry.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
OPEN FORUM, VISITORS:
No one from the audience spoke.
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF DECEMBER 21, 2020 PAGE 2
ADOPTION OF AGENDA:
MOTION by Councilmember Bolkcom to adopt the agenda. Seconded by Councilmember
Tillberry.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
NEW BUSINESS:
4. Resolution No. 2020-77 Certifying the Final Tax Levy Requirements for 2021 to the
County of Anoka.
Daniel Tienter, Finance Director, earlier this year, the City was advised by the Government
Finance Officers Association (GFOA) that the City would receive the Distinguished Budget
Presentation Award for the document that was prepared for 2020. This was a goal that was part
of the 2020 budget and was part of the reason they did a major retooling of the entire document.
Mr. Tienter stated the award demonstrates the City’s commitment to and achievement in
preparing quality and transparent budget documents. As a result of this award, essentially the
GFOA acknowledges the City provides meaningful information in several areas including
information overview, financial structure, policies and procedures of the organization, financial
summaries and budget information, capital and debt financing, and departmental information and
goals. There are also several document-wide criteria such as the various charts and graphics.
Mr. Tienter stated it is a wonderful endorsement of the efforts the City has been making to
improve its budget documents not only as a policy tool but also a communications device and
operations planned in a long-term financial plan. As a part of the 2021 budget, they will again be
submitting the document for this award.
Mr. Tienter stated as a part of the process, the City receives a variety of comments from the
reviewers. As a result of the comments, staff made a series of changes to the document that was
provided to Council last week. They made some modifications to the introduction and budget
summaries and moved them forward, so they are more of an executive summary or budget
message accompanying this document. He said they also provided some individual sections for
capital projects. They may recall in the old document they just referred them to the CIP. Now
they have more information in that one document, so it is a single-reference point. He said they
added several charts, graphs, and figures to provide additional clarity and prove the document’s
quality as a communication tool.
Mr. Tienter stated there were a few things they set as goals for the 2022 budget. One is to
develop and include a long-term financial plan. They will be looking at three to five years into
the future to describe what they think will be happening based on the Council’s decisions as a
result of the current fiscal year. They are going to make a more concerted effort to include some
of the performance measurements and data. They may recall they adopted a document that
talked about performance measurements. One of the goals of the GFOA program is to bring that
together and use the data to inform about financial decisions the organization makes.
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF DECEMBER 21, 2020 PAGE 3
Mr. Tienter stated something that is currently missing in the document and they could do a
better job with is to provide more discussion about the effect that capital projects have on the
operating budget. For example, the operating budget for the Fridley Civic Campus now has
changed to accommodate additional utilities, maintenance, other costs, etc.
Mr. Tienter stated the City’s goals and objectives try to align with the vision statement and the
organizational values of the City. There are also more specific goals to stabilize ongoing
revenues and expenditures. This is designed to eliminate budget holds. They want structural
balance meaning the City’s ongoing revenues match the ongoing expenditures. They want more
accountability and transparency in the financial decisions that are made by the organization.
Mr. Tienter said they are trying to make greater use of the City’s resources, meaning they look
entirely first to reallocate, prioritize, and understand greater efficiencies and productivities. As
Council is aware, they may make changes in organizational structure, like the Public Safety
Department or the CSER Department. That is designed to ensure a financially competitive
organization; making sure the budget essentially meets the service levels Council has come to
expect.
Mr. Tienter stated tonight is the ninth time Council has either discussed or acted upon the 2020
budget. Just a week ago they held the Truth in Taxation hearing. There were no major changes
in the budget that is being presented this evening for final adoption.
Mr. Tienter presented a graph of the rolled-out budget. They can ignore the year 2018. That
level of expenditure essentially reflects the bond proceeds that were used for the construction of
the Fridley Civic Campus. As they can see, 2019, 2020, and in 2021 the City returned to more
typical expenditure activity.
Mr. Tienter stated the proposed 2021 budget across all funds is about $47,393,000. That is a
decrease of about $1,000,000 or 2.1 percent. It is supported by just under $42,000,000 of
revenue which is decreased by 5 percent or $2,200,000. It is worth noting that the difference
between those revenues and expenditures, that negative variance so to speak, reflects planned
capital project activity--spending money out of the City’s savings account or to build certain
large projects.
Mr. Tienter stated the general fund comprises about 45 percent of all budget revenues followed
by the sanitary sewer fund at 15 percent, and the municipal liquor fund at 14 percent. As far as
expenditures go, the general fund is about 40 percent; and the sanitary sewer and municipal
liquor funds are 16 and 13 percent respectively.
Mr. Tienter stated the other item on the agenda is consideration of the certification of the 2021
property tax levy. The resolution before them proposes to increase the levy by 4.85 percent
compared to the previous year, or just over $781,000. Most of that change is in the general fund
in the amount of about $762,000 or 6.12 percent. The IT capital projects fund also exceeds the 5
percent threshold identified. The Nature Center was funded at 3.75 percent. The City does have
a debt service levy to support. There is one capital equipment certificate which should be retired
next year, so the only debt thereafter the City will have will be the bond for debt service on the
Fridley Civic Campus.
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF DECEMBER 21, 2020 PAGE 4
Mr. Tienter stated the 2021 budget does not contemplate the issuance of any new external debt.
It is important to note that because that debt service is such a large portion of the overall levy.
Mr. Tienter stated the 2021 budget property taxes comprise about 32 percent of all budget
revenues, but it is more important to note that just over 70 percent of all revenue the general fund
takes in comes from the property tax levy, and the general fund comprises most of the activity
for the organization.
Mr. Tienter stated they are anticipating the estimated market value of resident homesteads or an
average property to increase about 7.7 percent. Over the last three years the value of those
average homesteads has increased at just under 23 percent. The value of the property being
taxed is a major component in what a household or a business pays in taxes.
Mr. Tienter stated for anyone who is having some challenges paying their property taxes, there
are two refunds available vs. the regular homestead credit. This is a “means-tested” program
where essentially you provide the State of Minnesota information about the size of your
household, your income, and the property taxes. Assuming you meet certain qualifications, you
can get a certain portion back. They have done some math just for estimate purposes where if
your home is valued at about $203,000 and you made about $40,000 you would get about $1,400
back overall on your taxes.
Mr. Tienter stated there is also a special homestead credit refund which is not means-tested
meaning there is no consideration for the income of the household. This is essentially for anyone
who has experienced a property tax change that is more than 12 percent, at least $100. An
important caveat to mention is the increase cannot be the result of an improvement the property
owner has made on their home. If you see things have spiked because of the value of your home,
you can certainly reach out to the State, and they will provide a special homestead credit refund.
Mr. Tienter said if anyone has any concerns or comments about these programs or would like
assistance with finding the documents or completing them, staff would be happy to help.
Mr. Tienter stated because of the change in the property tax levy and the change in the value of
a residential homestead, they are estimating that taxes will increase about $67 or 7.13 percent
compared to the previous year which was about $5.55 per month. It is worth noting these
estimates are based on assumptions regarding things like tax capacity, valuations of certain TIF
districts, and the fiscal disparities program. They do get information from the County. Council
is aware they are going through the process of rolling out a new property tax administration
system.
Mr. Tienter stated the City Council is being asked to certify the 2020 property tax levy and
adopt the 2021 budget. Assuming that happens, tomorrow they will provide the adopted
property tax levy to Anoka County. There is also a handful of State forms they have to fill out.
MOTION by Councilmember Ostwald to adopt Resolution No. 2020-77.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF DECEMBER 21, 2020 PAGE 5
5. Resolution No. 2020-78 Approving a Budget for the Fiscal Year 2021, a Revised
Budget for the Fiscal Year 2020, and the 2021-2025 Capital Investment Program.
MOTION by Councilmember Tillberry to adopt Resolution No. 2020-78. Seconded by
Councilmember Eggert.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
6. Approve a Subdivision, P.S. #20-04, by Rich Products Corporation to Facilitate a
Land Donation, Generally Located at 7350 Commerce Lane N.E.;
and
Resolution No. 2020 – 81 Waiving Certain Provisions of the Subdivision Regulations
and Approving a Lot Subdivision for PID 10-30-24-14-0058 and 10-30-24-14-0060
for Property Owned by Rich Products Corporation (Ward 3).
Scott Hickok, Community Development Director, stated the petitioner is the City of Fridley on
behalf of Rich Products which was once known as McGlynn’s Bakery. It has had a number of
different names over time. They would like to donate a portion of their property being used for
ponding purposes. The former owners of the property, Tree House Foods, provided the City
with a storm water easement over a portion of the property needed to construct a City storm
water improvement. They may recall the issues of water over roadways in heavy storm events,
and they graciously allowed land to be dedicated to help solve that problem.
Mr. Hickok stated at the time the City worked with them, it was offered that the City would
accept the donation of the property should the owner choose to do so. In order to facilitate that
donation, a resolution needs to be approved by the City to allow the land area to be subdivided.
The remainder of the Rich property would remain Rich Products’ property. The City would take
on that portion donated. Creating a separate parcel will allow the City to take ownership of that
parcel.
Mr. Hickok said the parcel is odd-shaped. The City does have the ability in certain instances to
approve a plat without going through the more formal planning process if it creates a hardship.
In this particular case it is quite an elaborate legal description. In the subdivision ordinance, it is
simple. They can do it as a subdivision. When it gets more complicated, it needs to be as a plat
with mylars and all of that process. The City does have the ability to waive that more
complicated process. In this case, it might be one of the best examples of why you would do
that. They are going to donate the land.
Mr. Hickok stated for the City’s protection, they need a great legal description, and it needs to
be able to have something as a demonstrated exhibit to attach to donation documents. Section
211 of the subdivision code and Minn. Stat. § 462.358, Subd. 4(b)(c) authorizes that the City can
waive the subdivision process by resolution when compliance would create an unnecessary
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF DECEMBER 21, 2020 PAGE 6
hardship. Based on the background related to this subdivision, the City’s use of the property is a
fix for its storm water problem. Undue hardship exists.
Mr. Hickok stated waiving the formal requirements will allow Rich Products to subdivide the
parcel and donate it to the City. Staff recommends approval of P.S. #20-04 and Resolution No.
2020-81 which is in the Council’s packet.
Councilmember Bolkcom asked if there were any fees.
Mr. Hickok said the City has absorbed the fees in the administrative process.
Mayor Lund stated he is in favor of this project. He referred to the illustration and asked if the
two points were to allow access for both properties now that they are splitting it and if the
remaining part was usable.
Mr. Hickok replied, yes. That piece then will be combined. They have already worked with Pat
Maghrak, the City assessor, to join those parcels so that they will be one taxed parcel. They will
gain access off of Commerce.
Mayor Lund asked if this is City property or right-of-way on both or beyond.
Mr. Hickok replied, yes. When the City does subdivisions over plats like this, the last thing they
want to do is create an unusual end result. They will have access to the right-of-way to the east.
Councilmember Eggert stated he understands the pond is a solution for storm water in that area.
He asked if the City would have access to the pond in the future for maintenance.
Mr. Hickok replied, yes. This is truly one of the reasons why it was best the City actually
owned it. They do have access to it. They had great mutual working arrangements for the City
to get back there and work on it. Frankly, because the City will want to in the future do what
they need to do with ponds, they thought it best just to let the City have it to do the maintenance.
MOTION by Councilmember Bolkcom to approve a Subdivision, P.S. #20-04, by Rich Products
Corporation to Facilitate a Land Donation, Generally Located at 7350 Commerce Lane N.E.; and
adopt Resolution No. 2020 – 81. Seconded by Councilmember Tillberry.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
7. Informal Status Reports.
None.
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF DECEMBER 21, 2020 PAGE 7
ADJOURN:
MOTION by Councilmember Ostwald to adjourn. Seconded Councilmember Eggert.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 7:31
P.M.
Respectfully submitted by,
Denise M. Johnson Scott J. Lund
Recording Secretary Mayor