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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/06/90March 6, 1990 The Council of the City of Waterloo, Iowa, met in Special Session at City Hall Council Chambers, Waterloo, Iowa at 7:00 p.m. on March 6, 1990. Mayor Bernard L. McKinley in the Chair. Roll Call: Dell, Fox, Angel, Buck, Wright, Brown. Absent: Budak. The members of the Citizens' Budget Review Committee were introduced and presented with Certificates of Appreciation. The members include: Orlando Dial, Ruth Fairbanks, Marquita Hoskins, Mike McRoberts and Brent Rahn. 95381 - Moved by Buck, seconded by Dell that proof of publication of notice of public hearing on proposed Fiscal Year 1991 Budget for the City of Waterloo, as published in the Waterloo Courier•on March 1, 1990, be received and placed on file. Motion carried. 95382 - HOLD HEARING --This being the time and place of public hearing, the Mayor called for written and oral objections. Bruce Meisinger, Budget Analyst, presented the F.Y. 1991 Budget revenues and expenditures by budget program area. Revenue sources include property taxes, (43.1 percent), service charges (14.5 percent), state and federal aid (16.7 percent), sale of bonds (15.2 percent) and miscellaneous (10.8). Expenditures include 21.5 percent for community protection, 10.1 percent for human development, 45.2 percent for home and community environment, 5.2 percent for administration and 18.0 percent for debt service. Mr. Meisinger also presented a bar graph indicating the sources of revenue, including property taxes, sale of bonds, and other revenues for each of the fiscal years since F.Y. 1985. The Mayor asked for comments on the Community Protection Budget. Kathy Oberle, 710 Forest Avenue, questioned whether the City intended to hire additional police officers as she felt that citizens were not being adequately protected. Police Chief Roger Shook indicated that the hiring of additional police officers would not decrease crime statistics. Ms. Oberle expressed her concerns for the increasing crime activity in our City. Elaine Tessmer, 1014 West llth Street, indicated that our City has a problem with drugs being brought in from out of town. Councilperson Wright encouraged the City to seek federal or state grants in the area of drug abuse prevention. Moved by Buck, seconded by Dell that the Community Protection Budget in the amount of $11,345,380 be approved. Ayes: Six. Absent: Budak. Motion carried. 95383 - The Mayor announced that the time had arrived for discussion on the Human Development Budget. Terri Walker, representing the WPC Community Playhouse, expressed her support for continuation of funding of the Playhouse in the amount of $2,000. Councilperson Angel questioned the number of students utilizing this money. Roger Crimmins stated that the money is used by the Partners in Education to transport students in low income areas to the Playhouse. A citizen expressed his objections to the City's funding of outside agencies. He suggested that the City direct its money toward the Police Department. Councilperson Angel encouraged this citizen to await the results of the Compass Study being undertaken by the Metro Funding Task Force to determine the public's views concerning the distribution of funds for human services. March 6, 1990 Page 2 Councilperson Brown stated his objections to the funding of the following outside agencies: Boys and Girls Club, Cedar Valley Food Bank, Visiting Nurses Association, Jesse Cosby/Parenting, KBBG Communications, Martin Luther King Center, WPC Community Playhouse, Cedar Arts Forum, and the Grout Museum. He indicated that although he has done considerable fund raising for many of these agencies, the City budget should not be funding these activities since they are able to raise funds by other means. Kathy Oberle, 710 Forest Avenue, questioned whether the Library budget contained a recommendation for a referendum for a Library levy. Bev Lind, Director of the Waterloo Public Library, stated that such a levy could not support normal Library services but would be designated for a particular use such as materials. Ruth Fairbanks, a member.of the Citizens' Budget Review Committee, stated that the Committee had recommended a referendum. Moved by Fox, seconded by Angel that the Human Development Budget, excluding the Boys and Girls Club, Cedar Valley Food Bank, Visiting Nurses Association, Jesse Cosby/Parenting, KBBG Communications, Martin Luther King Center, WPC Community Playhouse, Cedar Arts Forum, and the Grout Museum, be approved. Ayes: Six. Absent: Budak. Motion carried. 95384 - Discussion was heard on the funding of the nine agencies excluded in the Human Development activity area described above. Councilperson Dell expressed his support for funding of these outside agencies since they only comprise approximately 1 percent of the total City Budget. Councilperson Dell also objected to the idea that the City is sacrificing funding such services as police and fire by funding these agencies. Councilperson Brown stated that the City is not taking care of its own basic needs such as police, fire, parks and recreation and that the average taxpayer wants his/her money to be used for City services. Councilperson Angel stated that she thought the City was more than just streets and buildings. It is people. Moved by Dell, seconded by Buck that the nine outside agencies be funded as follows: Boys and Girls Club -- $4,140, Cedar Valley Food Bank --$4,140, Visiting Nurses Association --$21,234, Jesse Cosby/Parenting--$12,498, KBBG Communications --$14,554, Martin Luther King Center --$4,825, WPC Community Playhouse --$2,000, Cedar Arts Forum --$1,573, Grout Museum --$14,067. Ayes: Five. Nays: Brown. Absent: Budak. Motion carried. 95385 - The Mayor announced that the time had arrived for discussion on the Home and Community Environment Budget. Councilperson Angel questioned whether the garbage collection budget reflected a garbage rate increase. John Meyer, Public Works Director, stated that the proposed revenue includes a proposed increase of 70 cents to 80 cents per month per household. This increase would require the adoption of an ordinance. Mr. Meyer also indicated that this rate is subject to change based on the collection method approved by the City Council. Robert Sieglaff, 914 West Third Street, opposed any increase in the garbage and sewer fees. He also commented that the Airport does not need a manager due to its declining activity. Jim Chapman, 224 Bertch Avenue, opposed the possibility of the doubling of garbage and sewer rates currently paid by the citizens. John Meyer, Public Works Director, stated that there are no anticipated sewer increases included in the budget and that garbage rate increases may become a reality. Both Councilpersons Angel and Fox defended the work of Airport Manager Bruce Carter and thanked him for the terrific job that he is doing. .March 6, 1990 Page 3 Moved by Brown, seconded by Wright that the Home and Community Environment Budget in the amount of $7,665,000 be approved. Ayes: Six. Absent: Budak. Motion carried 95386 - Kathy Oberle, 710 Forest Avenue, expressea her dissatisfaction with the City's issuance of $6 million of General Obligation Bonds. The Mayor announced that the time had arrived for discussion on the Policy and Administration Budget. The Cable Commission line item was reviewed. The Citizens' Budget Review Committee recommended funding in the amount of $26,000, with the staff recommending a budget of $2,000. Chuck Angel, Chairperson of the Waterloo Cable Commission, stated that the funds will be used to begin local access programming. Although an original request of $40,000 was presented, the $26,000 recommended by the Citizens' Budget Review Committee would adequately fund the purchase of equipment for start-up purposes. The $26,000 funding level would not include any funding of personnel. Ruth Fairbanks, member of the Citizens' Budget Review Committee, reiterated her support of funding at the $26,000 level. Moved by Angel, seconded by Wright that the Cable Commission line item be increased from $2,000 to $26,000 for F.Y. 1991. Ayes: Six. Absent: Budak. Motion carried. 95387 - Moved by Buck, seconded by Wright that the Policy and Administration Budget be amended to include an additional amount for the Cable Commission with a total activity area to be funded at $10,854,810. Ayes: Six. Absent: Budak. Motion carried. 95388 - Moved by Brown, seconded by Dell that "Resolution approving the F.Y. 1991 Budget for the City of Waterloo in an amount of $52,778,933", be adopted and Clerk/Auditor instructed to certify said amount to the County Auditor. Ayes: Six. Absent: Budak. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 1990-125. ADJOURNMENT 95389 - Moved by Angel, seconded by Wright that the Council adjourn. Motion carried. Larry P. Burger City Clerk/Auditor