HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/12/94COUNCIL WORK SESSIG_.
December 12, 1994
4:00 p.m.
Large Conference Room
Members present: Mayor Rooff, Jordan, Krizek, Mollenhoff, Anders,
Collier, Murphy, Getty.
Moved by Krizek, seconded by Jordan that the Agenda, as proposed,
be approved. Ayes: Four. Absent: Collier, Murphy, Getty.
Motion carried.
Councilpersons Getty and Murphy now present at 4:25 p.m.
Administrative Director Bob Stevenson updated the Council regarding
the process implemented to arrive at the capital equipment program
that is proposed. Mayor Rooff and staff have developed a five year
plan for replacement of one million dollars of equipment each year.
Lease/purchase of the equipment will be phased out to attain the
goal of a one million dollar replacement program with budgeted
funds after five years. The proposed lease purchase of $960,000 is
being negotiated for twenty-four month financing which spans three
fiscal years but will generate a twenty-five percent interest
savings in comparison to a thirty-six month agreement.
After reviewing the proposed equipment list, Mayor Rooff discussed
the feasibility of renting equipment versus purchasing equipment
for seasonal operations like snow removal and requested that staff
investigate this issue. Councilperson Getty supported the proposed
list of equipment for replacement stating that it is staff's
finding on what is needed to keep the City operations running.
Discussion was heard on the proposed computer equipment purchases
for the Library, Police Department and Fire Department. Library
Director, Bev Lind, summarized her request for computer equipment
needs and informed the council of a potential loss of a price break
on computer software if the purchase is not made soon.
Police Chief Koehrsen identified the need for immediate action on
the improvements to the CJIS computer system for his department.
He explained that the Sheriff's office will be using a PC based
system in the new jail and the City must use a like system for
access to arrest records. Councilperson Mollenhoff stated that as
a prior member of the CJIS board in the past changes to the CJIS
operations were done in the spirit of cooperation rather than
independently.
Fire Chief Magsamen identified needs throughout his department for
the replacement of computers, purchase of software updates and a
need for additional printers.
Collier now present at 5:10 p.m.
Bruce Meisinger, Finance Manager, directed the council's attention
to the five year debt schedule which summarizes the impact of
bonding for the capital equipment purchase on the total debt levy.
The intended goal is to keep this levy rate flat while sustaining
improvements to the vehicle fleet of one million dollars per year.
The revenue from the sale of excess vehicles will be used to reduce
the need for increasing the debt levy.
Councilperson Anders recommended that the council take action to
address the City's computer needs. Mayor Rooff appointed
Councilpersons Anders, Collier and Krizek to a special committee to
work with city staff and the Computer Technical Review Committee on
identifying the computer needs.
The council did reach consensus to agree with the proposed five
year plan for vehicle replacement and approve the current list of
$960,000 for capital equipment purchase before the proposed
hearing.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by
Krizek, seconded by Jordan that the meeting be adjourned at 5:10
p.m. 'Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Susan Fangman
City Clerk
COUNCIL WORK SESSION
December 12, 1994
5:30 p.m.
Large Conference Room
Members present: Mayor Rooff, Jordan, Collier, Krizek, Mollenhoff,
Anders, Getty.
Members absent: Murphy.
Moved by Collier, seconded by Jordan that the Agenda, as proposed,
be approved. Ayes: Six. Absent: Murphy. Motion carried.
Rick Young, Chairman of the Board for Cedar Valley Economic
Development, came before the council to inform them that Cedar
Valley Economic Development has embarked on a four year fund drive.
A successful fund drive will establish funding commitments for the
next four years by area businesses and governments to allow
developers to focus on the business of economic development. This
cooperative effort began in 1984 during a collaborative endeavor to
attract a Saturn plant to the metro area. Over the years, Cedar
Valley Partnership has evolved into Cedar Valley Economic
Development which is a joint effort to sell this community to
prospective businesses. The current operational budget is $480,000
per year. Operations include marketing and administrative expenses
of the corporation. The Board is requesting a 10% increase in
contributions. It is the intent of the Board to expand the base
for contributions more broadly into the private sector, at this
time forty percent of the annual funding is governmental.
Bernie McKinley illustrated the three areas of focus for Cedar
Valley Economic Development as new business recruitment, new
business startup and existing business expansion. The recruitment
of new business to the area does not focus on retail operations.
The retail climate and housing starts improve in correspondence to
a healthy job market climate.
Carl Adrian, Cedar Valley Economic Development Executive Director,
summarized the goals that Cedar Valley has set for the metro area.
These goals include helping existing business, identifying things
that are detrimental to business and marketing aggressively. A
personal goal held by Mr. Adrian is to improve the "metro image"
both in the public and private sector. The vision for the future
includes more and better paying jobs, greater wealth in the
community and a higher tax base.
Councilperson Krizek asked what specifically had been done in the
last year to increase the City of Waterloo's tax base. Cedar
Valley responded by addressing the list of clients in 1994 and
their corresponding employee counts. Mayor Rooff reported that
information had been received indicating that job recruitment in
the metro area was tight and recruitment was being done outside the
state of Iowa. Carl Adrian, responded that labor shortages have
been discussed and a survey may need to be done to accurately
identify labor shortages.
Councilperson Collier inquired whether minority recruitment had
been targeted. Carl Adrian stated that leads were received from
many areas including the State of Iowa, utility companies,
referrals or through advertisements; however, none of these areas
specifically targeted minority groups.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by
Krizek, seconded by Jordan that the meeting be adjourned at 6:20
p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Susan Fangman
City Clerk