Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.04.2004 (2)• • COUNCIL WORK SESSION March 4, 2004 8:30 a.m. Council Chambers Members present: Mayor Hurley, Kincaid, Cole, Greenwood, Clark, Schmitt, Gunderson, Welper. Moved by Welper, seconded by Kincaid that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the proposed FYE05 Budget. Mayor Hurley distributed copies of his general fund line item cuts as blended with Michelle Weidner's list of March 2, 2004. Mayor Hurley stated an article in today's Cedar Rapids Gazette reported on Cedar Rapids hearing on their budget. Three people were present at that meeting to present comments on the budget. The City of Cedar Rapids adopted a budget which contained 5.3 percent increase in taxes for residential properties and 17.6 percent increase in taxes for commercial properties. The Gazette included a chart of levy rates for Iowa cities and Waterloo was the highest, with Ames and Cedar Rapids having a levy of around 10 Both of those cities use a portion of their Local Option Sales Tax for property tax relief. Cedar Rapids has a budget of $287 million overall compared to Waterloo's budget of just over $100 million. Cedar Rapids has 1,280 full-time employees while Waterloo has 515 full-time employees. Cedar Rapids will reduce 20 jobs through attrition and other jobs by delaying hiring of police and fire positions. Cedar Rapids adopted a levy rate of 13.12. Mayor Hurley stated that a city employee stopped him this morning with an idea to make money. With the increased price for steel, the employee suggested that the city sell any unused steel material and/or equipment. Mayor Hurley suggested that items such as the donated steel building from Menards, junked squad cars, garbage trucks and other junked items, be collected and any steel part be sold to an interested party. Mayor Hurley reviewed his handout and list of prioritized general fund budget cuts totaling $2,137,645. Mayor Hurley compared his proposed recommendation with the list of tax levy options. Councilperson Welper stated he is against cutting $3,000 for the goal setting process with Tim Shields. Mayor Hurley stated he is not proposing to cancel the goal setting sessions, but that we could ask someone within the community to administer the goal setting sessions at no cost to the city. Councilperson Welper stated he feels Mr. Shields is more familiar with government issues. Councilperson Welper suggested asking companies for contributions to fund Mr. Shields services. Councilperson Schmitt agreed that the $3,000 expense for the goal setting session should be kept in the budget by reducing KBBG allocation by $3,000. Mayor Hurley stated he talked with Lou Porter. Mayor Hurley stated he feels KBBG does good things and is a voice to a community that we might not reach. KBBG announces many PSAs for the city, hosts the Mayor's show, Neighborhood Association's show and the Police Chief s show. Councilperson Schmitt stated that the city will still allocate some funding for KBBG which should cover the cost of our air time. An informal poll of the council was taken on where they would like the levy with the following result. Councilpersons Schmitt, Gunderson and Cole are comfortable with 18.93402, Councilpersons Welper and Kincaid favor 18.90914 and Councilpersons Greenwood and Clark favor 18.79315. Councilperson Gunderson stated he would like to continue working on moving 18 police sergeants to non -bargaining. Council Work Session March 4, 2004 Page 2 Councilperson Clark stated he is at 18.79315 levy because he wants to keep the taxes down. Councilperson Clark stated he feels strongly that department heads should be in charge of their budgets, that the council approve a dollar amount and let the department heads make the cuts. Councilperson Gunderson suggested that the council may want to set a little higher rate to have a cushion if the state reduces our revenues. Mayor Hurley stated he will include in the council's packet his recommendation on a levy rate. Mayor Hurley stated it would be symbolic for the council to come in under 5 percent increase for homeowners. Councilperson Welper stated he would like to review meter rates as this is an opportunity to raise $35,000 and good timing as Ms. Greco is bonding for new meters. Sandie Greco, Superintendent of Traffic Operations, stated that the council could change the ordinance to allow parking enforcement to start writing tickets at 8:00 a.m. rather than the current 9:00 a.m. Ms. Greco stated that Waterloo has the lowest meter fees in the state, and reviewed the fees for two, four and ten hour meters. Ms. Greco stated she is looking at purchasing meters with software that will audit the amount of money being put into the meter. Councilperson Welper suggested that a parking fee be charged for persons attending events at the Center For The Arts. Cammie Scully, Director of Cultural & Arts, reported that Vanderwalle has suggested that parking plans be implemented at the same time changes are made at the Center. Ms. Scully stated that parking enforcement is staff intensive. With no further business before the council, it was moved by Gunderson, seconded by Greenwood that the meeting be adjourned at 9:17 a.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. Nancy Eckert City Clerk • •