HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.19.2009COUNCIL WORK SESSION
February 19, 2009
8:15 a.m.
Council Chambers
Members present: Mayor Hurley, Cole, Hart, Steve Schmitt, Reggie Schmitt.
Members absent: Getty, Greenwood, Welper.
Moved by Reggie Schmitt, seconded by Hart that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes:
Four. Absent: Getty, Greenwood, Welper. Motion carried.
The purpose of the work session was further discussion of the FYE2010 Budget. Mayor Hurley
reported that total amount adjusted to the General Fund as of February 16, 2009 is $311,000.00
and $30,267.00 was adjusted in employee benefits. Mayor Hurley explained that the amount
needed to be cut from the General Fund is between $800,000.00 and $1 million because his
estimate did not account for any wage increase above 2 percent and it did not include the
$40,000.00 for social services programs.
Mayor Hurley reviewed the Central Garage budget. Mayor Hurley recommended the following
changes:
Increase Line Item 3873 (Reimb. For Ser.) in the amount of $800.00
Decrease Line Item 1315 (Training) in the amount of $200.00
Decrease Line Item 1400 (Utility) in the amount of $1,000.00
Decrease Line Item 1111 (Sal. -Regular) in the amount of $4,160.00
Mayor Hurley noted that Central Garage handles about 450 pieces of rolling stock. Central
Garage purchases the fuel for city departments and oversees inter -governmental agreements with
Black Hawk County and the Waterloo Schools for purchase of fuel. Mayor Hurley noted that
Mark Rice, Superintendent of Central Garage, proposed a lead mechanic position which accounts
for the $4,160.00, and now we are going to wait until if and when there is a new central garage
facility. Mayor Hurley noted that Mr. Rice purchases and keeps track of most vehicles
purchased through the CIP. Councilperson Steve Schmitt asked what the funds would be used
for in Line Item 1555 (Minor Equipment). Mr. Rice responded for a new lap top for engine
diagnostic tests.
Moved by Reggie Schmitt, seconded by Hart to move the Central Garage budget, with Mayor
Hurley's recommendations, to the master budget. Ayes: Four. Absent: Getty, Greenwood,
Welper. Motion carried.
Mayor Hurley reviewed the Airport budget. Mayor Hurley recommended the following changes:
Decrease Line Item 3449 (Prkg Lot Revenue) in the amount of $8,000.00
Increase Line Item 3477 (Sale of Gas & Oil) in the amount of $5,000.00
Increase Line Item 3620 (Rent & Prop Lease) in the amount of $10,000.00
Decrease Line Item 1371 (Bld Maintenance) in the amount of $5,000.00
Decrease Line Item 1571 (Mach/Equip Replacement Parts) in the amount of $1,000.00
Mayor Hurley noted that there is an Airport Commission, there are FAA grants, we have a air
service task force, and the Airport works with Planning and Zoning in the industrial area.
Councilperson Steve Schmitt asked about Line Item 3873 (Reim for Service) having zero dollars
budgeted. Brad Hagen, Airport Director, reported that is used when pieces of equipment are
leased to Livingston and the airport charges the fair market value.
Mayor Hurley noted the Airport Federal Projects are funded with grants from the FAA.
Mayor Hurley explained that Passenger Facility Program budget is funded with the passenger
facility charge of $4.50 per ticket. The FAA sets the rate, and the city uses the revenue to match
airport improvement projects. The fee cannot be used for operations.
Council Work Session
February 19, 2009
Page 2
Mayor Hurley noted that in the Airport Administration budget, he did not tamper with Line Item
1114 (Time & Half) as that is used for staffing during times when employees are off on benefit
time. We are required to have someone at the airport one-half hour before and one-half hour
after each landing.
Councilperson Steve Schmitt asked why no amount has been budgeted in Line Item 1301 (Temp
Agency) for the past few years. Mr. Hagen explained that for a few years he did not have an
administrative secretary and a temp employee was budgeted through that line item. Now the
secretary's salary is included with the rest of the salaries.
Moved by Hart, seconded by Cole to move the Airport budget, with Mayor Hurley's
recommendations, to the master budget. Ayes: Four. Absent: Getty, Greenwood, Welper.
Motion carried.
Mayor Hurley reviewed the Engineer Department's Sidewalk Repair Budget. The budget is used
for the sidewalk repair assessment program. The revenues are the previous year's assessment.
The year is Zone 9, which is mostly located in Ward 4 which is a low/moderate income area.
We have requested Community Development Block Grant funds. Eric Thorson, City Engineer,
stated that Zone 9 is in an older area with older sidewalks and is the largest assessment area.
Depending on Community Development Block Grant funds allocation, some folks will have
grant funds to pay for all the improvements or they will have to pay for part of it. Mr. Thorson
noted that on the council agenda for Monday, February 23, 2009 is the city's part of the sidewalk
program, using bond money. Mr. Thorson stated that Zone 9 could have an assessment program
or combination of assessment/Community Development Block grant funds.
Moved by Reggie Schmitt, seconded by Steve Schmitt to move the Engineering Department
Sidewalk Repair Budget to the master budget. Ayes: Four. Absent: Getty, Greenwood,
Welper. Motion carried.
Mayor Hurley reviewed the Animal Control Budget. Mayor Hurley recommended the following
changes:
Increase Line Item 3291 (Dog License) in the amount of $3,400.00
Increase Line Item 3292 (Cat License) in the amount of $500.00
Decrease Line Item 1314 (Health Services) in the amount of $17,000.00
Mayor Hurley explained that the city contracts with the Cedar Bend Humane Society to pick up
stray dogs, barking dogs, dead animals, etc. Many years ago, we provided this service in-house.
The city has had a contract with the Humane Society since the late 1990s, and it has not been
changed in all those years. Their costs have increased and they have decreased the number of
people who are out. The Humane Society has asked for more funding, and Sandie Greco,
Superintendent of Traffic Operations, is working with them on the new contract. Mayor Hurley
noted that staff and he have talked about number of ways to help this budget. The contract calls
for the Humane Society to provide service 24/7, and we are probably not getting that service.
The contract requires an officer for the east side and an officer for the west side and they are not
providing those officers. Mayor Hurley stated that we probably only license one -tenth of the
dogs and cats within the city. As part of the service provided by the Humane Society, when they
pick up a stray dog or cat, they are suppose to require the owner of the dog/cat to purchase a
license. Mayor Hurley explained he has increased the licensing revenue with the idea of working
with veterinarians and the Cedar Bend Humane Society to improve the licensing of the dogs and
cats.
Councilperson Reggie Schmitt stated that the contract requires the city to pay a base rate each
month for a certain number of animals, and they charge us additional fees if more than that
number are picked up. If the Cedar Bend Humane Society does not pick up any animals in a
month, we still pay them the base rate, and the next month we could be over the base amount
because of all the extra animals.
Council Work Session
February 19, 2009
Page 3
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Mayor Hurley stated that we need to find ways to get the pet owners to license their dogs or cats.
The cost for the Humane Society services goes up, and all taxpayers are paying for the service
whether they have a pet or not. Mayor Hurley stated that for those pet owners who do not
license their pet, we need to send a strong message through fines, but he would rather the city be
proactive.
Moved by Reggie Schmitt, seconded by Hart to move the Animal Control Budget, with Mayor
Hurley's recommendations, to the master budget. Ayes: Four. Absent: Getty, Greenwood,
Welper. Motion carried.
Mayor Hurley reviewed the Parking Maintenance Budget. Mayor Hurley recommended the
following changes:
Decrease Line Item 1111 (Sal -Re) in the amount of $41,912.00, with $23,327.00 benefits
Increase Line Item 1112 (Sal PrTm) in the amount of $28,500.00, with $4,075.50 benefits
Decrease Line Item 1114 (Time&Half) in the amount of $2,500.00, with $358.00 benefits
Decrease Line Item 1117 (Dbl Time) in the amount of $1,000.00, with $143.00 benefits
Decrease Line Item 1371 (Bid Maint) in the amount of $200.00
Decrease Line Item 1500 series in the amount of $3,000.00
Increase Line Item 1573 (Uniforms) in the amount of $200.00
Mayor Hurley explained that Parking Maintenance takes care of the parking meters, ramp
cleanup, snow removal, and they write citations. Currently, there is one vacant position and two
full-time employees. When one of the employees is off, then the remaining employee focuses on
maintenance and no tickets are written. Mayor Hurley noted that the Parking Administration
budget shows a steady decline in revenues, and he would like to re -staff and increase revenues.
Mayor Hurley stated that he has had discussions with staff about hiring part time people for
meter enforcement for the downtown and to be more vigilant. Mayor Hurley noted that Sandie
Greco, Superintendent of Parking Maintenance, asked other cities about parking enforcement
and their costs. Mayor Hurley stated he thinks the city needs to get serious about the parking.
Our downtown is a product to be proud of, and when we are not enforcing parking it sends the
wrong message. Mayor Hurley stated his recommendations include not replacing one
maintenance full-time position and adding two part time meter readers. Mayor Hurley noted he
reduced the overtime for snow removal. Mayor Hurley stated his intention is to make visible the
move to hire part time staff and let Ms. Greco's people concentrate on meter maintenance.
Mayor Hurley reminded council that he did increase the revenues in Parking Administration as
part of the change in staff to two part time meter readers.
Councilperson Steve Schmitt asked if the two part time persons would be contracted employees.
Mayor Hurley responded they will be hourly employees working four hours per day with no
benefits. We envision retired folks who enjoy that type of work and want to work year round.
Moved by Hart, seconded by Cole to move the Parking Maintenance Budget, with Mayor
Hurley's recommendations, to the master budget. Ayes: Four. Absent: Getty, Greenwood,
Welper. Motion carried.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by Cole, seconded by Hart that the
meeting be adjourned at 9:01 a.m. Ayes: Four. Absent: Getty, Greenwood, Welper. Motion
carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk