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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-Special Meeting-3/9/ 2017March 9, 2017 The Council of the City of Waterloo, Iowa, met in Special Session at the Harold E. Getty Council Chambers, Waterloo, Iowa, at 5:30 p.m., on Thursday, March 9, 2017. Mayor Quentin Hart in the Chair. Roll Call: Morrissey, Powers, Lind, Amos, Schmitt, and Welper. Absent: Mr. Jacobs. 146139- Welper/Schmitt that the agenda, as proposed, for the Special Session on Thursday, March 9, 2017 at 5:30 p.m., be accepted and approved. Voice vote -Ayes: Six. Motion carried. 146140- Schmitt/Lind that proof of publication of notice of public hearing on the on the issuance of ECP -1 - Not to exceed $11,000,000 General Obligation Bonds for essential corporate purposes, as published in the Waterloo Courier on March 3, 2017, be received and placed on file. Voice vote -Ayes: Six. Motion carried. This being the time and place of public hearing the Mayor called for oral and written objections. David Dryer, 3145 W. 4th Street, questioned what would be included in the bond issue. Noel Anderson, Community Planning and Development Director, explained the CIP Program and related expenditures. 146141 - Schmitt/Lind Motion to close the hearing and receive and file oral comments. Voice vote -Ayes: Six. Motion carried. 146142 - Schmitt/Powers that "Resolution authorizing the issuance of not to exceed $11,000,000 General Obligation Bonds, and levying a tax for the payment thereof," be adopted. Roll call vote -Ayes: Six. Motion carried. Mr. Lind questioned what would be approved tonight. Michelle Weidner, Chief Financial Officer, this step gives hearing authority for the projects as discussed at the previous work session. The bonds would be sold at a later date. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2017-182. 146143 - Welper/Amos that proof of publication of notice of public hearing on the FY2018 Budget as published in the Waterloo Courier on March 24, 2017, be received and placed on file. Voice vote -Ayes: Six. Motion carried. This being the time and place of the public hearing the Mayor called for oral and written objections. Michelle Weidner gave a presentation on the FY2018 budget process and proposed levy. Mayor Hart provided an overview of the process to arrive at the levy rate and reviewed the late budget proposals received by two council members. John Sherbon, 1715 Robin Road, expressed frustration at not receiving detailed listings of budget proposals. David Dryer, 3145 W. 4th Street, expressed dissatisfaction that budget preparations for the FY2018 budget did not start in March 2016 after the previous budget was passed. 146144 - Welper/Amos March 9, 2017 Page 2 Motion to close the hearing and receive and file oral comments. Voice vote -Ayes: Six. Motion carried. 146145 - Welper/Amos that "Resolution approving the FY2018 budget with a total tax levy rate of $17.60061 and property tax askings in the amount of $41,102,529," be adopted. Roll call vote -Ayes: Four. Nays: Two (Morrissey and Schmitt). Motion carried. Mr. Morrissey commented that he submitted Option D as a possible alternative to the Mayor's proposal and thanked Michelle Weidner and Mayor Hart for the work on the Mayor's Proposal but felt that he needed to submit an alternative. Mr. Morrissey outlined his alternatives. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2017-183. 146146 - Lind/Schmitt Motion to amend by deleting $17.60061 and inserting $17.50416 and deleting $41,102,529 and inserting $40,881,428 (Option E). Roll call vote -Ayes: Two. Nays Four. (Morrissey, Powers, Amos, Welper). Motion failed. Mr. Lind explained the proposed the changes outlined in Option E. Mayor Hart commented that he considers these options from Mayor's Proposal. Mr. Schmitt commented that his reason to not support the strategic plan goals is that the reductions are a daunting task but believes they are possible and felt the city could do more. He further noted that other businesses are cutting and providing the same service and that the city should do the same. He further requested that a committee including himself and Mr. Lind and one other councilmember to form a committee including former employees and business stake holders to look at ways to go department by department to make Waterloo a better place and to start tomorrow. Mayor Hart commented that the problem is respect not philosophical. He further commented that goals were adopted and the city has hard working employees and the strategic plan will help move the city forward. Mr. Welper thanked Mayor, Michelle, and city employees for their work on the budget and to work on making ends meet with the Mayor's Proposal and that the city will not be able to function under Mr. Schmitt's proposal. He further commented that the city has been cutting since the 1990s and the focus should be on finding new revenue. Mr. Lind spoke to correct the record that residential tax askings since January 2010, have gone up almost 20%. He further pointed out what he believes is the problem with the levy rate. Mr. Powers commented that the city has a good workforce and that he appreciates the work of Mayor, Michelle, and all councilmembers that made a proposal. He further commented that the city needs to grow revenue and that many businesses are looking to locate in waterloo but the challenge is the workforce. Mr. Morrissey commented that he disagreed with points made by Mr. Schmitt and Mr. Lind and does not believe that cutting positions and quality of life programs within the city are beneficial. 146147 - Morrissey/Welper Motion to amend the levy rate to $17.58846 and property tax askings in the amount of $978,671. Roll call vote -Ayes: One. Nays: Five (Lind, Amos, Schmitt, Welper, Powers) Motion failed. Mr. Schmitt expressed dissatisfaction with the utility tax and believes that it is a regressive tax. Mr. Lind commented that the franchise fee represented in 2017 represented about $1.15 more of the levy rate. Michelle Weidner commented that the franchise fee is approved by ordinance and needs to be March 9, 2017 Page 3 approved by MidAmerican Energy. If it is passed without the ordinance change it creates another gap. ADJOURNMENT 146148 - Lind/Morrissey that the Council adjourn at 6:37p.m. Voice vote -Ayes: Six. Motion carried. Kelley Felce City Clerk