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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/08/1988March 8, 1988 The Council of the City of Waterloo. Iowa, met in Work Session at City Hall Council Chambers, Waterloo, Iowa at 5:00 p.m. on March 8, 1988. Mayor Bernard L. McKinley in the Chair. Roll Call: Dell, Fox, Angel, Buck, Wright, Brown, Budak. 91696 - Moved by Buck, seconded by Wright that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Motion carried. 91697 - Tom Siders, representing the Mayor's Citizens' Budget Review Committee, presented the Committee's recommendation on F.Y. 1989 Budget. Members of the Committee include: Ms. Becky Hall, Mr. Marvin Simpson, Mr. Mike Atkins, Mr. Leon Mosley and Mr. Tom Siders. A copy of the report is on file in the Clerk/Auditor. Bruce Meisinger, Budget Analyst, presented the F.Y. 1987-88 and F.Y. 1988-89 Budget Comparison Chart by fund showing a F.Y. 1989 total budget of $40,833,602, also F.Y. 1987-88 and 1988-89 Tax Comparison Chart with the valuation for F.Y. 1988-89 proposed at $1,187,576,748 and the total corporation taxes levied for F.Y. 1988-89 proposed at $22,710,001; and the F.Y. 1987-88 and 1988-89 budget comparison by revenue source and program activity. The proposed F.Y. 1989 budget in the area of Community Protection is $9,942,573; Health and Human Development is $422,558; Education is $1,099,755; Leisure Opportunity is $2,345,939; Human Development is $3,868,252; Physical Environment is $7,150,691; Economic Development is $421,052; Transportation is $6,740,743; Home and Community Environment is $14,197,486; and Policy and Administration is $12,825,291 for a total of $40,833,602. The Mayor announced that each departmental budget would be reviewed individually. Police Department The Police Chief reported the impacts on his budget as follows: Elimination of 11 police officers, 6 by attrition. Elimination of 4 civilians. Elimination of 4 part-time crossing guards. Consideration for elimination or reduction of the following services: Funeral escorts, directive patrol, transportation of money to the banks, vacation watches, special events such as "My Waterloo Days" and "Fourth Street Cruise", minor calls for services, reduction in in-service training, not responding to minor accidents, eliminating the narcotics division of the Police Department. Included in the budget is $60,000 for vehicle replacement. Shook reported that the Police Department is now staffed with 117 people. He estimates that to maintain a full service department that 135 people are needed. Fire Department Police Chief Stan Stapella reported the following impacts on his budget: Elimination of 11 fire fighters, 4 through attrition and 7 layoffs. The Chief reported that user fees have been identified as a source of revenue for the department. If the fees are in effect by July 1, the department could expect to generate approximately $248,000 annually. Included in this would be fees for such :items as: Occupancy permits ($40,000 to $50,000); rental inspection (increased by $11,000 annually); underground tank inspection ($1,500); ambulance services ($2,500); gasoline spills and cleanups ($3,700); training for hazardous materials ($50,000). He stated that if these user fees were in effect they could possibly avert layoffs within the department. The budget includes no money for capital improvement replacement. Boys and Girls Club Frank Esser, Director, stated that the $4,500 request would allow the Club to be open more hours. It would also allow restoration of the Educational Coordinator position who would be responsible for computer and job interview training. He asked that the Council consider funding the Boys and Girls Club on a first time basis. March 8, 1988 Page 2 Councilperson Dell asked if it would be necessary for the City to fund the Visiting Nurses Association Program if it would merge with the hospitals. Human Rights B. J. Furgerson, Director, stated that the proposed F.Y. 1989 budget would require the lay off of one staff member. The Mayor asked about the possibility of contracting out this position or employing the person on a half time basis. Discussion was heard on moving the Agency to City Hall. Ms. Furgerson stated that the founding fathers had never considered City Hall as a location since many of the clients feel uneasy going to City Hall. That there are advantages to not being located in City Hall. Currently, it is not costing the Human Rights Commission to occupy their space in the Library. Park Department Rich Carlson stated that $45,000 has been cut from the budget but would not result in any layoffs. No capital improvements are programmed for the department. Discussion was heard on relocating the Park Department offices to the Byrnes Park Maintenance Center. Renovation would be approximately $75,000. The docks in the Cedar River were identified as a major problem area. Recreation Department Dean Myhr, Director, stated that the budget would result in the lay off of 40 part-time persons, mostly high school and college students. As a result, there would be a reduction in playground. and sport skill centers from the current 16 to 4 or 6 sites. An increase in user fees for swimming pools is being discussed. The possibility of utilizing Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) personnel was discussed. Library Bev Lind, Director, reported that the budget would result in the cutting of facility hours and personnel. She stated that it is impossible to reduce any of the book budget. Hours would be reduced by 20 hours a week during the summer and 12 hours a week during the winter. The budget would call for the elimination of 10 positions, including 2 vacant positions, 1 through attrition and 7 full and part time layoffs. A three minute recess was declared. Public Works John Meyer, Director of Public Works, stated that within the division the budget would require no lay offs be made. The increase in garbage fees being proposed ($1.00 per month) will be utilized to pay for the costs of garbage services, the Operation Pride, street sweeping, and $30,000 of administration in the Sanitation budget. Water Pollution Control Plant Bruce Bottorff, Director, stated that the budget includes an increase in fees of $3.30 minimum per unit to $4.00. It was also mentioned that the Personnel Analyst has been instrumental in assisting in the area of workmen's compensation and sick leave, both of which are serious problems for the Plant. It was suggested that rather than the possibility of laying off the Personnel Analyst, that this position be funded from the work comp fund since nearly 75 percent of her time is spent in this area. City Attorney Hugh Field commented that the proposed budget would not allow for major litigation. March 8, 1988 Page 3 Planning and Development Division Don Temeyer, Director, reported that the budget would result in a 6.3 percent reduction in the Engineering budget. He also stated that a new source of income will be reimbursement for property management through Interstate Substitution. Currently, the money is put into the project account but will now go to reimburse the salaries for persons responsible for this activity. The budget also reflects a 3 percent increase in revenues. It was also suggested that a Draftsperson from the Engineering Department may be shifted to the Building Department and assist in the inspection area. Cable Commission Cable Commissioner Ray Harris presented a budget proposal for local origination. The approximately $23,000 budget would allow for the production of local programming and the cablecasting of Council meetings. It was suggested that if revenues increase, that possibly these monies could be directed to such a project. Airport Bruce Carter, Director, stated that the tax askings of $50,000 would be used for general obligation debt retirement. Larry P. Burger, Clerk/Auditor, stated that the Council must now give an indication of the maximum levy in each of the program areas for the publication of the public hearing to be held on March 15, 1988. The levy cannot be increased without going to a second public hearing. Mayor McKinley asked for Council input. Councilperson Brown expressed his preliminary approval of the Citizens' Budget Review Committee recommendation to propose a 1 percent sales tax and increase in user fees. It was agreed that the Fire Department should be allowed to proceed with the proposed increase in revenues. It was also suggested that a portion of $26,132 contingency line item for Human Development be shifted to the Human Rights Department. Discussion was heard on funding for Jesse Cosby, KBBG,Martin Luther King Center, the Food Bank and Operation Threshold. No decision was made. Funding for the Boys and Girls Club was discussed, but no decision was made. After lengthy discussion, Larry P. Burger was instructed to publish the F.Y. 1989 Budget at the funding limits as printed and explained by Bruce Meisinger earlier in the evening. With no further business before the Council, the meeting was adjourned. Larry P. Burger Clerk/Auditor