Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.09.2009• • COUNCIL WORK SESSION April 9, 2009 8:00 a.m. Council Chambers Members present: Mayor Hurley, Cole, Getty, Hart, Steve Schmitt, Welper, Reggie Schmitt, Greenwood. Moved by Reggie Schmitt, seconded by Steve Schmitt that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Six. Absent: Greenwood. Motion carried. Mayor Hurley reviewed items on the Standing Committee agendas for meetings scheduled for Monday, April 13, 2009. Councilperson Greenwood now present at 8:03 a.m. Mayor Hurley reviewed items on the council agenda for Monday, April 13, 2009 and the following items were discussed. Mayor Hurley noted that he sent a letter to council informing them that he was vetoing Resolution No. 2009-279 passed on April 6, 2009 providing for hiring of five police officers using the COPS Hiring Recovery Program. His letter states the reasons why he is vetoing the resolution. Mayor Hurley noted we would have to add an additional 25 cents to the 8.10 levy in order pay for these officers, which we cannot legally do. Council would have to take away from other general fund budgets. Mayor Hurley stated he just feels it is not the best thing to do and then leave it for future city councils down the road to have to make cuts. Mayor Hurley stated he wants additional police officers and wishes we could add ten new police officers. Mayor Hurley offered as an alternative to the COPS program to get more police officers right away and identify how we will pay for the officers. Mayor Hurley suggested going back over the newly adopted FY10 Budget and looking at all general fund budgets, and for every $75,000.00 identified we could add one more officer. Mayor Hurley stated he is concerned about the city's ability to continue doing the things we are doing in the future if we are throttled by a grant and how we will pay for it. Councilperson Cole stated that it is her understanding that at the end of the fiscal year any money left over is swept into the General Fund. Michelle Weidner, Chief Financial Officer, responded that is correct. Councilperson Cole asked if we could take that money and start a pool to pay for the five officers. Councilperson Cole asked what kind of dollars are we talking about if we look at the three year average. Ms. Weidner responded she doesn't have that dollar amount with her, and she reminded council that the city has set a goal of 25 percent fund balance. The reserves help generate interest for the general fund. Ms. Weidner noted that the city is trying to increase its bond rating. There are 13 cities in Iowa with higher bond ratings and our weakness is fund balance. Ms. Weidner explained that only the fund balance from the General Fund could be used for hiring the five police officers. Mayor Hurley stated if council is interested, he would go through the FY10 General Fund budgets and make a laundry list of suggestions, which could mean programming and people. Councilperson Welper stated everyone agrees we need more police officers, and Mayor Hurley's suggestion is a safer way and we could possibly get the officers quicker. Tom Jennings, Police Chief, stated that its a nine month process to get an officer on the streets. It takes about 90 days to create the Civil Service list and then about six months training. Mayor Hurley stated that the COPS grant locks the Police Department into the new funding level. The Police Department, which is the largest general fund department, would be off the table when council is looking for ways to cut the budget. Mayor Hurley noted we want more police officers, but lets do it on our own dime so we have the control. Council Work Session April 9, 2009 Page 2 Councilperson Greenwood asked if all cities are held to the 8.10 levy or is it just Iowa. Councilperson Greenwood suggested going back to the grant and say its unrealistic because at the end of the day cities can't afford it. Maybe ask for a waiver to roll into our existing force. Mayor Hurley responded there is not enough time between now and Tuesday, but we could let them know. Mayor Hurley stated that if during the time of the grant if you don't have the right numbers of police officer required, you have to be able to show them you are trying, such as an interview process. Councilperson Getty stated he would like a list separating who and what departments are in the General Fund and how much of those departments are paid by the 8.10 levy. He also requested a report of how much was left over from of each general fund department in the past two or three years. Mayor Hurley stated the hidden cost is not being able to reduce the force for four years. Councilperson Getty stated the budget has been shaved over the years. On Monday night we were between three and five officers, so he made the motion for five officers and he still wants five officers. Councilperson Getty stated council can do what Mayor Hurley suggested and shave the budget, but we have this COPS grant and he doesn't understand why Waterloo can't do this and use our fund balance. Mayor Hurley noted that having a good fund balance is not just to impress Moody's but the international Finance Officers association recommends preparing for a catastrophic event and have cash to operate for three months. Mayor Hurley noted the city's fund balance goal is 25 percent. Mayor Hurley noted we managed the flood because of the discipline of the council we are in better shape financially. Mayor Hurley cautioned the council that if they use the unrestricted reserves for operational purposes, they are going down a slippery slope. Mayor Hurley noted that with the city election in November, this body will change and he doesn't feel its the right thing to do to leave it for the new administration to fix. Mayor Hurley noted that cities are going to be faced with unfunded mandates, such as the new law passed by the legislature that cancer will be presumed to be caused by working conditions for firemen. The legislature does not help cities with the 8.10 or make changes that would be favorable for the 8.10, so he believes the financial landscape going forward will be unpredictable. Councilperson Cole stated that most of the council has made up their minds. The council has the information from the mayor and the opinion from the chief financial officer. Councilperson Cole suggested that the override of the veto be put on Monday's council agenda and simply vote it up or down. Councilperson Steve Schmitt stated he would second the motion. Councilperson Cole stated the mayor and council are elected to make the tough decisions, and she is certain everyone will hear from their constituents over the weekend. Councilperson Greenwood asked if Black Hawk County is going through the same process. Chief Jennings responded yes for two officers and Cedar Falls also may be applying. Lou Cutwright, Building Official/Maintenance Administrator, stated that the Board of Supervisors tabled the COPS grant application until next Tuesday. With no further business before the council, it was moved by Cole, seconded by Reggie Schmitt that the meeting be adjourned at 8:30 a.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. Nancy Eckert City Clerk • •