News from the May 11th and May 19th City Council Meetings
The City Council and the County Assessor conducted the annual Board of Review meeting on May 11th to discuss real estate valuations used for determining property taxes on residential, industrial and commercial property. Eight citizens appeared to discuss valuations on twelve parcels. The City Council approved one valuation adjustment, which was for the Good Samaritan facility due to a mis-classification of approximately 1.5 acres of land. This information will now go to the Cottonwood County Board on June 16th.
On May 19th the City Council had nine licenses and permits to consider for approval in connection with Riverfest and other events. The City Council also approved a 3-year labor agreement with the City's largest union. The new agreement for 2009-2011 calls for a 1% cost-of-living adjustment in each year. A new part-time position for Telecommunications marketing and administration was also approved.
State Funding for Cities
As you know by now the legislature and Governor were unable to agree to a budget that would address the State's $4.6 billion deficit. The Governor has indicated that he will cut the State budget through an "unallotment" process, which essentially allows him to cut any State program by any amount he sees fit. One of the programs targeted for a substantial reduction is Local Government Aid (LGA). The LGA program was designed to keep a basic level of services operating in all cities by sharing the wealth between large and small cities and keeping property taxes down in communities with smaller tax bases. Windom is to get $1.334 million in LGA in 2009. This amount represents about 50% of our General Fund that is used to pay for public services. Public Safety (Police, Fire and Emergency Management) is the largest part of the General Fund budget and accounts for about 40% of our General Fund expenditures. I encourage you to contact our legislators (Senator Vickerman and Representative Rod Hamilton)and the Governor's office and ask them to limit cuts to LGA. We realize in this difficult economic time we must all sacrifice, but LGA was cut at the end of 2008 to balance the State budget and will take a disproportionate cut in 2009 and 2010 if the Governor stands by his budget proposals.
Airport - Federal Stimulus Project Update
Bids for the reconstruction of the runway and other general maintenance work were received on May 20th. These bids will be reviewed by the Airport Commission on May 21st and a recommendation on the project will be forwarded to the City Council for its consideration at their June 2nd meeting. The Windom Airport has $1.196 million in federal stimulus funding to pay for the runway reconstruction project. One of the key provisions to these monies is that no local matching dollars are required. Matching funds of 5% or about $4,000, however, are required for the other general maintenance work. Overall, this is an excellent project for the City of Windom.
2009 Street Project Status
As noted in today's Citizen the street project is moving along on schedule. We expect curb and gutter work to start later this week and paving could start around June 3rd on the section of 4th Avenue from Highway 71 to the new Perkin's Creek bridge. Pavement is being removed on Langley and underground work will soon start on this segment of the project.
Memorial Day Holiday
Just a reminder that the City offices will be closed on May 25th.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Monday, May 4, 2009
Spring is Here and Yard Work Begins
The City's compost site has been opened. Permits for the compost site may be purchased at City Hall for $15+ tax for residential customers. The compost site is open on Tuesdays from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Grass clippings and leaves are accepted (unbagged); however, tree branches and brush are not accepted.
May 5th City Council Meeting
The City Council will consider several financial items at this meeting. The most significant is the proposed sale of $1.5 million in bonds to finance the 2009 Street Project. A representative of Ehlers & Associates will be present to guide the Council though this item. Other items that could have financial implications include the proposed submission of two federal grants for a county-wide communications system and a new rescue unit for the Windom Fire Department. Both of these federal grants would require a 5% match if they are awarded to Windom. By applying for the grants the City of Windom would be able to upgrade our fire rescue equipment and meet impending State mandates for communications equipment. The City Council will be deciding whether or not to apply for the funds and commitment to the local match which is estimated to be a total of $23,000 for both projects.
Other City Council items include a revision to the Park & Recreation Commission reducing the number of members from 7 to 5 and a reminder that the annual Board of Review meeting (to discuss the valuations of property) is set for May 11th at 4:30 p.m. in the City Council Chamber.
Spring Clean-Up Review
Thank you to everyone for your efforts to keep Windom clean. We had another successful event and I want to especially thank Cottonwood County for their assistance in discounting the landfill fees. If you have items that have tags and were not picked up please call the City office at 831-6129 and our staff will help you get these items collected.
The City's compost site has been opened. Permits for the compost site may be purchased at City Hall for $15+ tax for residential customers. The compost site is open on Tuesdays from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Grass clippings and leaves are accepted (unbagged); however, tree branches and brush are not accepted.
May 5th City Council Meeting
The City Council will consider several financial items at this meeting. The most significant is the proposed sale of $1.5 million in bonds to finance the 2009 Street Project. A representative of Ehlers & Associates will be present to guide the Council though this item. Other items that could have financial implications include the proposed submission of two federal grants for a county-wide communications system and a new rescue unit for the Windom Fire Department. Both of these federal grants would require a 5% match if they are awarded to Windom. By applying for the grants the City of Windom would be able to upgrade our fire rescue equipment and meet impending State mandates for communications equipment. The City Council will be deciding whether or not to apply for the funds and commitment to the local match which is estimated to be a total of $23,000 for both projects.
Other City Council items include a revision to the Park & Recreation Commission reducing the number of members from 7 to 5 and a reminder that the annual Board of Review meeting (to discuss the valuations of property) is set for May 11th at 4:30 p.m. in the City Council Chamber.
Spring Clean-Up Review
Thank you to everyone for your efforts to keep Windom clean. We had another successful event and I want to especially thank Cottonwood County for their assistance in discounting the landfill fees. If you have items that have tags and were not picked up please call the City office at 831-6129 and our staff will help you get these items collected.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
City Council Update -- April 21st Meeting
The City Council reviewed and approved the plans and specifications for the reconstruction of the airport runway, seal-coating the 2006 pavement and other miscellaneous improvements. The engineer's estimate is $1,489,843 including professional fees and contingency. Bids on this project are expected on May 20th. Both the Airport Commission and City Council are planning on meeting on May 21st to review the bids and award the project. Construction is expected to start around July 6, 2009.
Membership on the Park & Recreation Commission was discussed and recommended for a reduction from 7 to 5 members. The first reading of an ordinance to make this change was passed. Final passage is scheduled for May 5th.
In July 2009 the MN DOT will be starting a highway project between Butterfield and Windom. This project will require MN DOT to detour traffic for about two months through Windom on 16th Street and Lakeview Avenue. Please take care when driving these streets and watch out for children and other pedestrians.
A discussion on building permit fees was held with Jim Kartes, Building Inspector. An idea had been raised to lower building permit fees as a way to help stimulate building and remodeling. The City currently uses the 1994 State fee schedule and if changes were made to the fee schedule the State would likely require Windom to start charging permit fees for plumbing and HVAC projects and adopt the States 2003 fee schedule, both of these things would increase costs to homeowners, contractors and builders. The City Council voted to keep the current building permit fee schedule.
On April 29th the Utility Commission will host a presentation on wind energy at its upcoming meeting at 10:00 a.m. in the City Hall, Council Chamber. Council members and the public are welcome to attend. A Special City Council meeting will be posted as a majority of City Council members indicated they planned on attending.
Earlier in the year the City Council had discussed holding a public meeting in May 2009 to receive input on the 2010 budget and community priorities. The State legislature is scheduled to adjourn on May 18th; however, without a budget bill close to being passed by the House, Senate and signed by the Governor it is likely that the legislative session will last beyond the May 18 adjournment date. Due to this situation the status of Local Government Aid (LGA) payments to the City will be unknown. The Council decided to wait until its May 19th meeting before setting a date for a public input meeting on the 2010 budget. The City's e-mail address (mailto:savewindommoney@windom-mn.com) to solicit comments is still active. Copies of the budget summary and line-by-line 2009 budget is on the web site, so please e-mail us with your comments.
Spring Clean-up will be this weekend (April 25th) for those with regular garbage pick-up on Thursdays and May 2nd for those with a regular garbage pick-up on Fridays. Please take advantage of this opportunity to toss out old, unused and junk items. Outdoor storage of items often leads to complaints by citizens to the Police Department and City Building Department. Following the Spring Clean-up weekends the City will be more actively enforcing the existing nuisance ordinances.
Have a great weekend and enjoy the nice Spring weather.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Happy Easter
April 7th City Council Update
The agenda for the City Council was full of action items for this meeting. The City Council took the following actions:
- Approved Access and Easement Agreement with Consolidated Ready Mix
- Approved a required Workplace Accident & Injury Reduction (AWAIR) Program
- Approved a Dance Permit for the Firefighter's Dance on April 18th at the Community Ctr.
- Approved the City's annual insurance renewal with the League of Minnesota Cities
- Rejected Seal-coat bids -- item referred back to the Street Committee
- Approved a Pre-Sale Bonding Resolution for $1,510,000 for the 2009 Street Project
- Authorized the execution of a grant agreement with the FAA for the runway recon project
- Authorized the application for federal COPS grant funding for the Police Department
- Accepted three donations to the City of Windom
- Approved the Disposition of Surplus Equipment
Spring Clean-up
Windom's Spring Clean-up will be held on April 25th and May 2nd. If your normal garbage collection day is Thursday your Spring Clean-up collection will be April 25th. If your normal garbage collection day is Friday your Spring Clean-up collection will be May 2nd. Please note that all items must be curbside by 6:00 a.m. the day of collection. The following link will take you to a page with additional information about Spring Clean-up and recycling options -- http://www.windom-mn.com/community/documents/Windom%20Spring%20Cleaning.pdfThe City Council encourages everyone to take advantage of Spring Clean-up to spruce up our community.
2009 Street Project - Update
The general contractor for the project is anticipating starting the week of April 27th or May 4th depending upon the weather. In the next couple of weeks City crews, engineers and utility providers will be in the project area to stake and mark services.
Congressman Walz Visits Windom
On April 8th Congressman Walz and his staff visited Windom to discuss the potential of federal funding for the development of the North Windom Industrial Park and to help us promote the expansion of broadband in SW Minnesota. The Congressman met with Windom City Council members Jean Fast, Bob Messer and myself, city staff and numerous representatives of surrounding communities that are seeking to access federal stimulus funding to provide for the expansion of ultra-high speed broadband.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
St. Patrick's Day
2009 Street Project Action
At the March 3rd meeting the City Council voted unanimously to award the 2009 Street Project bid to Hjerpe Construction for the concrete option in the amount of $1,158,295. This amount was 15% below the engineer's estimate, which will result in lower assessments to property owners and less debt financing. The City also received good news from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MN DOT) that funding for the bridge over Perkin's Creek on 4th Avenue will be funded by State bridge monies. Both of these projects will be underway this construction season.
March 17 City Council Meeting
Several maintenance and improvement items are on the agenda (http://www.windom-mn.com/) for discussion. These include the annual street maintenance program for crack-filling and seal-coating, re-construction of a taxiway at the airport and pavement maintenance at the airport.
Federal Economic Stimulus - Potential Windom Projects
The City Council will also be discussing two possible federal stimulus projects. One of the projects would provide for the total reconstruction of Windom's Municipal Airport runway. The runway has been classified by the MN DOT and FAA officials as in poor\fair condition so Windom would rank highly in competition for federal stimulus funds. If these funds are awarded approximately $1,275,000 in federal funds cover 100% of the runway reconstruction project costs. The second federal economic stimulus project involves the expansion of broadband\telecommunications service for rural communities in SW Minnesota. While these two projects are moving along we are still working with our federal and state legislators to determine if other programs or funding are available for large capital projects like a new fire hall or development of the North Windom Industrial Park.
Upcoming City Council Meeting Schedule
Regular Meetings on April 7th & 21st and May 5th at 7:30 p.m.
Special Meeting on May 11, 2009 at 4:30 p.m. --- Board of Review
At the March 3rd meeting the City Council voted unanimously to award the 2009 Street Project bid to Hjerpe Construction for the concrete option in the amount of $1,158,295. This amount was 15% below the engineer's estimate, which will result in lower assessments to property owners and less debt financing. The City also received good news from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MN DOT) that funding for the bridge over Perkin's Creek on 4th Avenue will be funded by State bridge monies. Both of these projects will be underway this construction season.
March 17 City Council Meeting
Several maintenance and improvement items are on the agenda (http://www.windom-mn.com/) for discussion. These include the annual street maintenance program for crack-filling and seal-coating, re-construction of a taxiway at the airport and pavement maintenance at the airport.
Federal Economic Stimulus - Potential Windom Projects
The City Council will also be discussing two possible federal stimulus projects. One of the projects would provide for the total reconstruction of Windom's Municipal Airport runway. The runway has been classified by the MN DOT and FAA officials as in poor\fair condition so Windom would rank highly in competition for federal stimulus funds. If these funds are awarded approximately $1,275,000 in federal funds cover 100% of the runway reconstruction project costs. The second federal economic stimulus project involves the expansion of broadband\telecommunications service for rural communities in SW Minnesota. While these two projects are moving along we are still working with our federal and state legislators to determine if other programs or funding are available for large capital projects like a new fire hall or development of the North Windom Industrial Park.
Upcoming City Council Meeting Schedule
Regular Meetings on April 7th & 21st and May 5th at 7:30 p.m.
Special Meeting on May 11, 2009 at 4:30 p.m. --- Board of Review
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
March 3, 2009 General Update
2009 Street Project
Tonight the City Council will be considering whether or not to proceed with the 2009 Street Improvement Project. The bidding environment for this project was good. Windom recieved six bids for this project and all of them were under the engineer's estimates. The apparent low bidder was Hjerpe Construction with a bid of $1,144,320 for the bituminous option and $1,158,295 for the concrete option.
Spring Clean-up Fee
On the City utility bills that we all recieved in the mail this week included a new $1.00 month fee for residential properties. The money collected through this fee will be utilized to pay for the annual Spring Clean-up. This year the Spring Clean-up will be held on April 25th and May 2nd (depending on your garbage pick up day). More information will be available in late-March or early-April.
2008 Annual Report
The City Council will be recieving the 2008 Annual Report on March 3rd. This report contains a wealth of information and statistics regarding City services and utilities. After the report is accepted by the City Council it will be posted on the City's web site (http://www.windom-mn.com/).
SaveWindomMoney@windom-mn.com
You may have read or heard about the City Council's efforts to gather public input regarding the City's budget. If you have ideas on how to reduce the budget, prioritize services or generate additional revenue please send us an e-mail. The City Council is planning a special public meeting to further discuss the City's 2009 budget and outlook for 2010 at a meeting in May 2009.
Tonight the City Council will be considering whether or not to proceed with the 2009 Street Improvement Project. The bidding environment for this project was good. Windom recieved six bids for this project and all of them were under the engineer's estimates. The apparent low bidder was Hjerpe Construction with a bid of $1,144,320 for the bituminous option and $1,158,295 for the concrete option.
Spring Clean-up Fee
On the City utility bills that we all recieved in the mail this week included a new $1.00 month fee for residential properties. The money collected through this fee will be utilized to pay for the annual Spring Clean-up. This year the Spring Clean-up will be held on April 25th and May 2nd (depending on your garbage pick up day). More information will be available in late-March or early-April.
2008 Annual Report
The City Council will be recieving the 2008 Annual Report on March 3rd. This report contains a wealth of information and statistics regarding City services and utilities. After the report is accepted by the City Council it will be posted on the City's web site (http://www.windom-mn.com/).
SaveWindomMoney@windom-mn.com
You may have read or heard about the City Council's efforts to gather public input regarding the City's budget. If you have ideas on how to reduce the budget, prioritize services or generate additional revenue please send us an e-mail. The City Council is planning a special public meeting to further discuss the City's 2009 budget and outlook for 2010 at a meeting in May 2009.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
City Budget Update - February 18, 2009
The City Council continues to work on revisions to the 2009 City budget due to reductions in Local Government Aid (LGA) from the State of Minnesota. LGA makes up about 50% of the revenue for the General Fund and the balance of the revenue is from property taxes and fees\charges.
The General Fund is responsible for Public Safety (Police, Fire, Animal Control and Emergency Management), Streets, City Office & City Hall, Recreation & Parks and Building\Zoning. Of these accounts Public Safety comprises about 42% of the General Fund budget, Streets comprises 24% and Parks & Recreation comprises 12%.
In December 2008 the State of Minnesota cut $110,120 from the 2008 LGA payment to the City of Windom. In 2009 the Governor has proposed cuts to LGA that would reduce the LGA payment to Windom by $144,462. Unfortunately, the proposed cut to 2010 LGA is even deeper with a $301,663 reduction in Windom's share of LGA. In March 2009 the State of Minnesota will get an updated financial condition report from the Department of Revenue. It is largely anticipated that this March forecast will show a weaker State economy and larger State budget deficit approaching $7 Billion. If this information is correct the cuts to LGA may well be deeper than the Governor's proposal.
The City Council will continue to look for savings; however, to plan for the large LGA cuts significant changes to the City budget and operations will be necessary. At the February 17th City Council meeting the Council approved the reduction of all part-time help at the Parks Department. This action will impact the ability to maintain our parks to the high standards we have enjoyed in the past. All efforts will be made to minimize these impacts.
To assist the City Council with discussions on City revenues and expenses there will be additional opportunities for public input and comment. In the upcoming week or two the City will launch an on-line tool where the public can submit their ideas related to changes in the City's budget and\or operations. We will work with the local media to get this information out to you. Additionally, the Council is planning for a public meeting in May 2009. Hopefully, by May we will know more about the LGA revenues from the State and have a clearer target for the 2010 budgeting process.
The General Fund is responsible for Public Safety (Police, Fire, Animal Control and Emergency Management), Streets, City Office & City Hall, Recreation & Parks and Building\Zoning. Of these accounts Public Safety comprises about 42% of the General Fund budget, Streets comprises 24% and Parks & Recreation comprises 12%.
In December 2008 the State of Minnesota cut $110,120 from the 2008 LGA payment to the City of Windom. In 2009 the Governor has proposed cuts to LGA that would reduce the LGA payment to Windom by $144,462. Unfortunately, the proposed cut to 2010 LGA is even deeper with a $301,663 reduction in Windom's share of LGA. In March 2009 the State of Minnesota will get an updated financial condition report from the Department of Revenue. It is largely anticipated that this March forecast will show a weaker State economy and larger State budget deficit approaching $7 Billion. If this information is correct the cuts to LGA may well be deeper than the Governor's proposal.
The City Council will continue to look for savings; however, to plan for the large LGA cuts significant changes to the City budget and operations will be necessary. At the February 17th City Council meeting the Council approved the reduction of all part-time help at the Parks Department. This action will impact the ability to maintain our parks to the high standards we have enjoyed in the past. All efforts will be made to minimize these impacts.
To assist the City Council with discussions on City revenues and expenses there will be additional opportunities for public input and comment. In the upcoming week or two the City will launch an on-line tool where the public can submit their ideas related to changes in the City's budget and\or operations. We will work with the local media to get this information out to you. Additionally, the Council is planning for a public meeting in May 2009. Hopefully, by May we will know more about the LGA revenues from the State and have a clearer target for the 2010 budgeting process.
