HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/24/92CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
February 24, 1992
4:00 p.m.
Large Conference Room
Roll call: Mayor Manning, Angel, Brown, Buck, Budak, Dell, Fox and
Wright.
Mayor Manning that each of the city departments was requested to
prepare an impact statement concerning the affect of the 6.5%
across the board decrease from current year budget for the fiscal
year beginning July 1, 1992. Copies of these impact statements are
available in the Clerk/Auditor's Office for review.
Budak now present at 4:06 p.m.
Councilperson Buck reiterated his concern that the decrease should
not be an across the board cut because it penalizes those
departments that have been required to make significant cuts in the
past, including Park and Forestry and Library. This type of cut
also does not give the Council an opportunity to determine policy
priorities. He suggested that the Council agree on major program
adjustments and/or eliminations and that any cuts after that point
could perhaps be across the board decreases.
The following items were suggested for elimination and/or
adjustments:
Proposed Cut/Decrease Proposed Savings
- Elimination of Civil Defense $ 21,000
- Elimination of Animal Control 161,000
Although it is not mandatory that the City have an animal
control department, it will be necessary for some agency
to respond to bite calls.
- Moving Convention and Visitors Bureau
to 5 Sullivan Brothers Offices that are
currently vacant 18,000
- Removal of non -conflict street lighting 85,000
- Elimination of Cable Commission expenses
including request for staff person 29,000
- Elimination of current one-half position
in City's print shop
- Eliminate contractual agreement with
McElroy Auditorium
- Cut travel line items by 20%-25%
- Cut funding of outside human service
agencies by 1/3
-Roll back mayor and city council salaries
to December, 1991 levels
- Out sourcing garbage collection
- Reducing street sweeping
- Closing of one city golf course
It was suggested that the pros become
9,000
90,000
20,000
30,000
8,000
not available
not available
not available
employees of the
city and that the pro shops be re -aligned to benefit the
city.
- Reduction of Operation Pride not available
- Request City Attorney to appeal the
State pension levy which increases
city's cost to $600,000
It was reported that the current transit levy for Metropolitan
Transit Authority is 51 cents per $1000 of valuation. With the
increase in valuation, this same levy rate will generate an extra
$21,000. Walt Stevenson, Manager of Met, stated that the agency
faces a deficit of $156,000 due to federal cut backs.
Councilperson Brown stated that he agreed with some, but not all,
of the above proposed cuts/decreases. He agreed with the
elimination of Civil Defense. He also reiterated his notion that
the voters had sent a clear message that the city should not
increase its tax askings. He supported the proposed cuts as
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City Council Work Session
February 24, 1992
Page 3
It was noted that there are no property taxes levied as a part of
the Operation Pride program.
Councilperson Angel questioned the funding of outside human service
agencies. It was explained that the Northeast Iowa Council on
Substance Abuse has two separate fundings; (1) direct subsidy, and
(2) employee assistance program that is available to city
employees. The Personnel Department will provide an update to its
usage by city employees.
The projected cost savings of the ideas presented above total
approximately $443,000 which would still require an across the
board cut of approximately 5%.
In response to a question by Councilperson Brown, it was reported
that if a department exceeds its revenue projections, the money is
credited to the department and deposited in the general fund.
These additional revenues offset the general fund tax levy. Some
departments generate more money than tax levy support needed while
others rely upon tax levies for operation.
Councilperson Fox questioned the Police Chief concerning the
affects of a 6.5% decrease. Although the cut back is projected to
cause 12 layoffs, it is unclear as to how many officers versus
civilians this will entail. Councilperson Fox to offense to the
statement that such a cut back would result in "law enforcement
bankruptcy". Chief Koehrsen stated that when officer strength is
low, demand for services has required the expenditure of overtime
expenses which ends in a net loss to the city.
Councilperson Dell questioned whether the bargaining units had been
approached concerning possible staff reductions. Mr. Rodemeyer
explained that they had not been approached concerning furloughs or
reduction in hours. Although this could be done, it would be
difficult since the city is currently in negotiations with the
Police Protective Association. Councilperson Fox stated that
employees should be approached about reducing benefits but at this
point had seen no efforts on the part of bargaining units to come
to the table to discuss this matter. Chief Koehrsen stated that
the bargaining unit should not be responsible for setting the
priorities of the city and that by approaching the bargaining
units, he as Police Chief has no input into that process.
Discussion of combining the police and fire departments was
discussed. Although there will be future personnel savings with
the combining of dispatch, this only can be done with a large
initial cost estimated at $500,000 - $600,000. The Chief stated
that he currently has 13 non -bargaining positions in the
department.
Mr. Rodemeyer stated that any reduction in force is governed by
Civil Service rules and regulations. He also stated that reduction
is accomplished by seniority within classification.
In response to a direct question from Councilperson Wright, Mr.
Burger stated that he did not see many other alternatives except
for layoffs to address the city's budget problems. Councilperson
Dell urged the city to fix the problem and get on with the business
at hand. Councilperson Brown again urged review of city labor
contracts and the sharing of health care costs.
Councilperson Brown stated that he disliked the idea of layoffs but
questioned what else could be cut. Councilperson Budak stated that
just as the city has been beefing up its public safety areas, it is
now cutting into them deeply. He did not agree with these proposed
cuts.
A letter addressed to city council persons from Bill Grimm, a
retiree from the Fire Department, questioned management in the Fire
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City Council Work Session
February 24, 1992
Page 5
common ground with all city employees and further commented that
funding of outside human service agencies is an investment in our
community.
Tom Tietjens, representing the fire fighters, stated that the
insurance benefits were given in lieu of pay increases years ago
and that insurance privileges have been purchased by employees over
the years.
Walt Stevenson, Manager of Met Transit,
hearing will be conducted to allow input
reductions. This hearing is scheduled for
It was agreed that the public hearing on the
on Thursday, March 12, 1992 at 5:00 p.m.
Chambers.
stated that a public
into proposed service
March 5, 1992.
FY 1993 budget be held
in City Hall Council
It was agreed that bargaining unit representatives would be
approached concerning the possible options in addressing the city's
budget cuts. The city council will conduct another work session on
Monday, March 9, 1992. Bargaining unit responses are anticipated
at that time.
With no further business before the Council, the meeting was
adjourned at 6:15 p.m.
Larry P. Burger
City Clerk/Auditor