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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06.18.2003• • COUNCIL WORK SESSION June 18, 2003 4:00 p.m. Council Chambers Members present: Mayor Rooff, Kincaid, Welper, Greenwood, Clark, Jordan, Getty. Members absent: Hurley. Moved by Jordan, seconded by Clark that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Six. Absent: Hurley. Motion carried. Mayor Rooff reviewed suggestions from citizens at the two public meetings, ideas from other citizens, suggestions from Depat l'trent Heads and the two meetings held with union representatives. Mayor Rooff reported he would be reviewing how to cut $1.2 million from the FY04 Budget using general fund departments only. Sewer, garbage, Road Use Tax and Local Option Tax budgets are not being cut. If council members want to use these funds to offset ideas that will be presented, the council will have to make that decision. Mayor Rooff reviewed a list of proposed suggestions to reduce the FYE2004 General Fund by $1.200,000. Mayor Rooff reported that $34,000 could be reduced from the Central Garage budget and $32,084 could be reduced from Human Resources budget if consolidation ideas were approved. There will be discussions with Black Hawk County to consolidate the two personnel offices. In addition, a proposal has been presented to consolidate Central Garage to reduce that budget, and that will be discussed with Denny Bell. Mayor Rooff reported the Police Department expenses would be reduced by $310,196. Police Chief Tom Jennings stated that would be a reduction of nine officers by eliminating DART, Street Crime Unit and two positions from the School Resource Program. Mayor Rooff stated that the full-time strength will remain the same. Chief Jennings stated that currently three officers are on military leave, three will be retiring and reduction of three positions will be through layoffs. Chief Jennings stated he has 122 sworn officers, and his reduction would be met by three retirements, three military leaves and three terminations. Mayor Rooff reported the Fire Department expenses would be reduced by $303,163. Fire Chief Ned DeBerg stated that he would lose 10 firefighter positions. The Fire Department currently has 109 firefighters. Chief DeBerg reported he is down two positions and five positions are scheduled for retirements. Chief DeBerg stated the Fire Department is looking at options such as closing a fire station or taking a platform out of service. Chief DeBerg stated he has 109 unifoiiii positions and six 8-hour positions. One inspection position has not been filled, and the department is down four positions and four employees will be retiring. Michelle Weidner, Chief Finance Officer, stated that we could eliminate transferring $72,000 from parking to the debt service. This amount could be funded with debt service rather than the general fund. Councilperson Welper stated that we may have to look at not accepting grants that require matching funds from the city. Ms. Weidner stated that these are not layoff, just not filling positions. Councilperson Getty stated he is opposed to charging fees or increasing fees for items such as funeral escort, ambulance fees, building permit fees, etc. Councilperson Getty stated the State cut the city's general fund, and that is what we need to do. Councilperson Clark stated he opposes increasing fees. Mayor Rooff reported Library expenses would be reduced $70,655. Carol French Johnson, Library Director, stated this reduction will be met through elimination of three positions through retirements and closing the Library on Sundays. Mayor Rooff reported the Building Inspection Department has projected $50,000 in increased permit fees. If the council does not adopt the fee increase, one position would have to be eliminated. Lou Cutwright, Building Official, stated that eliminating one position could result in Council Work Session June 18, 2003 Page 2 reduced revenues because the city is paid about $30,000 to provide inspections for LaPorte City and Black Hawk County. A reduction of staff could offset the revenue stream of $60,000 to $70,000. Councilperson Jordan asked if the council could freeze the 3.5 percent wage increase for bargaining and non -bargaining employees. Mayor Rooff reported that the Animal Control contract has been reduced $15,610, which could mean reduced hours of service. Mayor Rooff reported that Parking Facilities Maintenance expenses would be reduced $20,000. Mayor Rooff reported there are four employees with 28 years of service, and he does not want to lay of those positions. Mayor Rooff reported that the Mayor's Youth Initiative funding would be reduced $4,418. Mayor Rooff reported that the Human Rights Commission expenses would be reduced $13,794, which would not require staff reduction. Mayor Rooff reported that the Center For The Arts expenses would be reduced $32,618. Cammie Scully, Executive Director, stated this reduction would result in the lost of three part- time people. Mayor Rooff reported that Leisure Services - Parks would be reduced $59,293 and Leisure Services - Youth and Sports Services would be reduced $12,981. Paul Huting, Leisure Services Director, stated the reduction in the Parks Budget would result in loss of two people who are currently on military leave. The reduction in the Youth and Sports Services would be through the long-term medical leave of the secretary. Mayor Rooff reported Planning & Zoning expenses would be reduced by $13,800. Don Temeyer, Community Planning & Development Director, stated that this reduction would be met by hiring entry level planners. Mayor Rooff reported that Central Garage expenses would be reduced $34,000, which could be accomplished through reduction of one mechanic or consolidation of some repair activity. Mayor Rooff reported that Main Street expenses would be reduced $260 and Cedar Valley Economic Development expenses would be reduced $1,400. Mayor Rooff reported the Mayor's Office expenses would be reduced $6,367 through economic development expenses. Mayor Rooff reported that City Council's expenses would be reduced $2,813 through reduction in travel allowance. Mayor Rooff reported the lobbyist contract would be eliminated reducing expenses $16,000, and Cedar Valley Coalition reduced expenses in the amount of $7,500. Mayor Rooff reported that Facilities Maintenance expenses would be reduced $35,000 through not replacing one position. Mayor Rooff reported that Clerk/Finance expenses would be reduced $50,000. Mayor Rooff reported Human Resources expenses would be reduced $32,084. Black Hawk County's Personnel Director has retired, and Black Hawk County is interested in talking about a shared Personnel Director. We will be looking at one person overseeing both departments. Mayor Rooff stated these reductions will result in 20 unfilled positions and 12 terminations. Mayor Rooff stated he talked to Governor Vilsack, and we will know in a day or so if any funds are given back to the cities. Mayor Rooff stated for FY05, the city could use the Emergency Levy that could give the city an additional $440,000, but that just increases property taxes. We could transfer some funds from the sewer and sanitation budgets or use $1.4 million grant from the Black Hawk Solid e Commission. Council Work Session June 18, 2003 Page 3 Mayor Rooff reported that the City Clerk has submitted fee and fine increases which would produce an additional $59,353. Dog and Cat license fees would be increased $5, improper parking increased $5 and meter violation fines would increase from $2 to $5. Councilperson Clark stated he could not support any fee increases, and he would like to look at adopting an ordinance which would allow increasing all fees on an annual basis. Mayor Rooff stated that we provide $1 million Met Transit levy, and we should look at seeing if we could recoup administrative charges. We should look at sharing a Fire Chief with the City of Cedar Falls, and joint insurance with other government entities. Mayor Rooff stated that we should look at resources that could be available through the Water Works. We should also appoint a committee to look at joint savings. We should also be talking with hospitals and churches to share public safety costs. Councilperson Welper asked what happens when departments reduce personnel, does that put personnel at risk. Chief Jennings responded that it puts everyone at risk as officers won't put themselves at risk. The Police Department will see cut backs on officers on the street. Mayor Rooff stated we could review sewer and sanitary budgets and transfer any unused funds to the general fund or increase fees. Councilperson Clark stated he would support fine increases but not fee increases. Ms. Weidner responded if there are no fee increases, there could be a layoff of three people. Councilperson Greenwood suggested charging fees for public safety responses to accidents. Councilperson Greenwood asked if an inspector's position in the Fire Department is eliminated will that produce less revenue and fewer inspections. Chief DeBerg responded that the Fire Department currently charges for any oil or antifreeze spilled as the result of an accident, and we currently bill for ambulance services. Chief DeBerg stated the department has hired a retired fireman to perform inspections. Councilperson Greenwood stated he would support fees when we are way underpriced such as cat and dog licenses, but if the service is a highly competitive nature, than we should trend lightly on fee increases. Councilperson Welper stated that we always compare our rates with smaller communities, and we work too cheap. Councilperson Welper stated we spend too much time trying to keep prices down. Councilperson Kincaid stated he is in favor of looking at some of the fees if it saves a job rather than cutting positions, and we should look at them to offset our shortage. The council will meet on June 26 at 8:00 a.m. to further discuss these ideas. With no further business before the council, it was moved by Getty, seconded by Jordan that the meeting be adjourned at 5:12 p.m. Ayes: Six. Absent: Hurley. Motion carried. Nancy Eckert City Clerk