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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07.10.2003• • COUNCIL WORK SESSION July 10, 2003 8:30 a.m. Council Chambers Members present: Mayor Rooff, Kincaid, Welper, Greenwood, Clark, Jordan, Hurley, Getty. Moved by Jordan, seconded by Welper that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. The council met to discuss FYE2004 General Fund State Funding Reduction Proposal. Mayor Rooff stated that there was an article in the newspaper that the city discussed selling city parks, but the idea was not to sell all the parks but to see if any of the properties could be sold. Mayor Rooff reported there is a proposed commercial fire call fee on today's proposal. Frank Dowie reviewed the proposal and said other cities are requiring this fee. The proposal is to collect $40,000 in commercial fire call fees. Mayor Rooff stated also on the proposal is a suggestion by Councilperson Hurley to reduced the Human Rights Commission budget by $35,000. Mayor Rooff stated on the proposal is a parking fee for events at Young Arena and Cultural & Arts Center which could produce $20,000 in revenue. Mayor Rooff reviewed the following: 1. Request that each employee city-wide somehow contribute $375. This would include some contributions by each collective bargaining unit. This would result in savings of approximately $195,000. 2. Accept verbal proposals from presidents of Fire and Police collective bargaining units, which would require a 5th year contract at 3.5 percent with VEBA and same health insurance co -pay. 3. Use fund balance. Councilperson Getty suggested three permanent positions should be taken from the Police Department and nine permanent positions from the Fire Department. The nine positions from the Fire Department would be r ealized b y e liminating three p ositions p er s hift. C ouncilmembers discussed authorized strength versus actual strength. Councilperson Getty stated the State of Iowa has cut our General Fund, a nd t he G eneral F and i s p ublic s afety. C ouncilperson G etty stated we can tell our residents we are going to raise all the fees, but that does not address public safety where the bulk of the shortfall is. Councilperson Getty stated he has a problem with raising fees. Mayor Rooff responded t hat i s w by w e a re a sking e ach employee t o c ontribute $375, and he will contribute and will ask the council to contribute 10 percent of what he contributes. Councilperson Hurley stated he believes public safety is the basic building block of why government works. Councilperson Hurley stated he is against reducing any public safety while hanging onto other things not on the basic building block. Councilperson Hurley asked should the city contribute General Fund money to Main Street Waterloo, the parks, etc., while laying off public safety. Mayor Rooff stated his support of public safety is well documented, but he also has feelings for all city employees. Mayor Rooff stated he feels this is a city-wide problem because if we don't pick up garbage or fix the streets, people will be upset. Mayor Rooff reported if each employee city-wide somehow contributes $375, it will reduce the number of unfilled positions in the Police and Fire Department from five employees each to three employees each. Councilperson Jordan stated his big concern is keeping public safety, but if the city can provide public safety with unfilled positions, then he is for that. Councilperson Clark stated if the unfilled positions do not require layoffs, he is for that. Councilperson Clark stated he wants to keep fee increases to a minimum, and he also agrees with Councilperson Getty that we should fix the General Fund. Councilperson Greenwood stated he could approve the document in front of the council; however, he is not opposed to having a work session so the public knows where staffing levels are at, and bring in public safety experts from throughout the state to see where efficiencies can be made. Councilperson Greenwood stated he is not against increasing fees if the city stays Council Work Session July 10, 2003 Page 2 competitive. Councilperson Greenwood stated he is opposed to changing the city's philosophy and mission, but we need to make changes, become more efficient, use better technology, decrease some costs and increase some fees. Councilperson Greenwood stated in the next year, the city needs to work through some models to see where there are efficiencies. Councilperson Welper stated he is opposed to laying off anyone, but we need to get back to basic government. Councilperson Welper stated he is focusing more on revenues than layoffs. Councilperson Kincaid stated when the city is short of funds we have to make adjustments in the business process. Councilperson Kincaid stated he feels we will need to increase some fees in order to offset our loss of revenue. Councilperson Kincaid stated he feels city government is not in the business to make money, but we need to make enough to provide services to the citizens. Councilperson Kincaid asked of the unfilled positions that are in the military, is the city required to maintain those jobs. Michelle Weidner, Chief Financial Officer, responded that there will be several retirements in both the Police and Fire Departments that will be filled by those returning from the military. Mayor Rooff asked if council would like Police and Fire to have three or five unfilled positions. Councilpersons Jordan, Hurley and Welper voted for three unfilled positions, and Councilpersons Clark, Greenwood, Kincaid and Getty voted for five unfilled positions. Fire Department - increase ambulance revenue $20,000 - Council unanimously approved. Fire Department - create a commercial fire call fee $40,000 - Council unanimously approved. Fire D epartment - i ncrease c ommercial r e-inspection f ees $ 26,000 - Council unanimously approved. Building Inspections - increase permit fees $50,000 - Council already approved. Reduce Animal Control Services $15,610 - Council unanimously approved. Parking transfer to debt service - eliminate $72,000 - Council unanimously approved. Parking facility maintenance - decrease expenses $20,000 - Sandie Greco, Superintendent of Traffic Operations, reported the $20,000 reduction in expenses would not require layoffs. Council unanimously approved. Reduce Mayor's Youth Initiative funding $4,418 - Councilperson Hurley would like program completely eliminated except for Summer Youth Program. Councilperson Welper agrees all programs with youth are essential but questions should city government be providing this service and suggested corporate step in. Councilpersons Kincaid, Greenwood, Clark, Jordan, Getty agreed to reducing the program only $4,418. Approved with vote of 5 to 2. Human Rights - decrease expenses $35,000 - Councilperson Hurley stated Sioux City cut the entire Human Rights Commission program. Councilperson Hurley stated we are a city greater than 29,000 population and need to have a Human Rights Commission, but he does not know if State Law requires a certain number of positions. Human Rights Commission staff stated they could reduce their budget $32,000 without losing a position, but it would mean cuts in workshops, contractual obligations and educational outreach. Councilpersons Clark and Jordan approved cutting the budget $32,000 and Councilpersons Hurley, Greenwood, Welper, Kincaid and Getty approved cutting the budget $35,000. Approved with vote of 5 to 2. Jr. Art Gallery - reduce expenses $230 - Approved with vote of 7. Center for the Arts - reduce expenses $32,618 - Cammie Scully, Director of Cultural & Arts Commission, reported this would mean layoff of three part time positions and closing on some Sundays. Approved with vote of 7. • • Council Work Session July 10, 2003 Page 3 Library - reduce expenses $70,655 - Carol French -Johnson, Library Director, reported the reduction would mean the loss of three positions and closing the Library for four hours on Sunday. Approved with vote of 7. Leisure Services - Parks reduce expenses $59,293 - Paul Huting, Leisure Services Director, reported this would have a net result of two fewer positions. Approved with vote of 7. Leisure Services - youth and sports services reduce expenses $12,981 - Paul Huting, Leisure Services Director, reported this would result in cutting back on four or five part-time positions and a possible change in the reception area due to a long-term disability. Approved with vote of Planning & Zoning - reduce expenses $13,800 - Don Temeyer, Community Planning & Development Director, reported there will be a reduction in the pay scale meaning hiring entry level rather than someone with experience. Noel Anderson will be contact person for economic development. Councilperson Clark commented that it seems like we have been getting by without that position and questioned whether the position should be filled. Mr. Temeyer stated economic development is included in the council's high priority goals. Councilperson Jordan stated the position generates revenues and he supports filling the position. Councilperson Hurley stated he does not support filling the position. Mayor Rooff stated the council will have the vote when the appointment of this position comes before them. Councilperson Greenwood supports filling the position. Councilperson Welper stated one of the council's goals is to increase the tax base and economic development will help raise the tax base. Approved with vote of six, with Councilperson Clark voting no. Planning & Zoning - increase fees $6,000 - Approved with vote of 7. Central Garage - reduce expenses $34,000 - Dennis Bell, Superintendent of Central Garage, reported this will result in reduction of one person and eliminating third shift mechanic. Mayor Rooff stated this reduction is a proposal to look at relocating Central Garage. There currently are two mechanics stationed in the Street Department, two mechanics stationed at the Annex and two mechanics stationed at Central Garage. Mayor Rooff stated there is a proposal to consolidate into one building rather than losing a person. Approved with vote of 7. Main Street - reduce funding $260 - Approved with vote of 7. Cedar Valley Economic Development - reduce funding $5,000 - Approved on a vote of 7. Mayor's Office - reduce expenses $6,367 - Mayor Rooff reported he has reduced his budget through travel and economic development. Approved with vote of 7. City Council - reduce expenses $2,813 - C ouncilperson Welper suggested that the council's travel be reduced to $500, which would mean a reduction of $4,000 from this budget. Approved reducing travel to $500 with vote of 7. Lobbyist contract - eliminate $16,000 - Approved with vote of 7. Councilperson Hurley asked where the money comes from for funding Cheryl in the Mayor's office. June Watkins, Human Resources Director, responded that 60 percent of Cheryl's position is budgeted in the Mayor's budget and 40 percent is budgeted in Human Resources budget. Cedar Valley Coalition - reduce funding $7,500 - Approved with vote of 7. Facilities maintenance - reduce expenses $35,000 - Lou Cutwright, Building Official/Maintenance Administrator, reported this reduction will result in the lay off of one position and will require restructuring of facilities maintenance. There currently are five positions. Councilperson Getty asked if facilities maintenance could be bid for contract. Mr. Council Work Session July 10, 2003 Page 4 Cutwright responded that Hawkeye Community College found that contracting out technical positions such as we have can be very expensive because it costs more. Mr. Cutwright stated this area will be reorganized to maintain licensed positions. Councilperson Hurley stated our facilities are not in the best shape now, and he cannot support this reduction in expenses if it means cutting a position as he does not think this is the place to cut. Councilperson Hurley voted no, with Councilpersons Kincaid, Welper, Greenwood, Clark, Jordan and Getty voting yes. Approved with vote of 6 to 1. City Clerk/Finance - reduce expenses $50,000 - Nancy Eckert, City Clerk, reported this reduction will be through reducing expenses. Approved with vote of 7. Increase Parking Revenue $43,390 - Nancy Eckert, City Clerk, reported meter violations will increase from $2 to $5 if paid within 24 hours. Meter violations not paid within 30 days will remain at the $10 fine. Ms. Eckert reported improper parking fines will increase from $5 to $10. Councilperson Welper stated he has no problem with increasing parking fines, but what about parking on the parking. Mayor Rooff responded we will look at parking on the parking in the long-term which will give people authority to enforce that. Councilperson Greenwood stated he would like parking spaces with high turnover to charge more per minute and for meters to allow less time. Sandie Greco, Superintendent of Traffic Operations, responded they are getting information and will need to bond for the equipment. Approved on a vote of 7. Increase Dog/Cat license fees $15,610 - Ayes: Greenwood, Welper. Nays: Clark, Jordan, Hurley, Kincaid and Getty. Failed on vote of 2 to 5. Charge parking fee for events at Young Arena and Cultural & Arts $20,000 - Councilperson Clark agreed but asked how t o implement and m onitor. C ouncilperson W elper s tated t ickets could be purchased through the City Clerk's office. Paul Huting, Leisure Services Director, reported we have a contract with the Black Hawks which gives them control of the ticket gates. Ayes: Six. Nays: Getty. It was the consensus of the council this would be a long-term revenue, but not to include in this budget reduction. EAP - reduce expenses $280 - Approved with vote of 7. Human Resources - reduce expenses $32,084 - June Watkins, Human Resources Director, reported sharing of the Director with Black Hawk County is workable on a temporary basis, and they are looking at six month trial basis. Approved with vote of 7. Council Members discussed the option to request that each employee city-wide contribute $375 somehow. Michelle Weidner, Chief Financial Officer, reported that this would result in savings of $195,000. Mayor Rooff stated it has been suggested that we take away the VEBA from non - bargaining employees, but he thinks every employee has a responsibility to work together so we came up with $375 times 520 employees for a savings of $195,000. Councilperson Getty stated that Department Heads make anywhere from $50,000 to $70,000 and asking blue collar worker to give up same amount of $375 as non -bargaining is not acceptable. Councilperson Jordan stated $375 equals 30 minutes per week for 52 weeks at each employees hourly salary. Councilperson Getty asked when do we make contributions so we can get the Street Department and Waste Management Services back to full strength. Councilperson G etty s tated w ith five unfilled positions the Police Department will still be able to answer calls for public safety. Councilperson Greenwood stated a lot of citizens would be willing to contribute to have a full strength Police Department. Ayes: Greenwood, Welper, Hurley, Jordan. Nays: Kincaid, Getty, Clark. Approved on vote of 4 to 3 to keep exploring this idea with the employees. Council Members discussed accepting the verbal proposal from presidents of Fire and P olice collective bargaining units. Mayor Rooff reported this would mean accepting a fifth year to the bargaining contracts at 3.5 percent salary increase, no increase in insurance co -pay and continuing with VEBA. The proposal failed on vote of 7 nays. • • • • Council Work Session July 10, 2003 Page 5 Council Members discussed using fund balance of $200,000. Mayor Rooff reported using $200,000 from the fund balance would lower the number of unfilled positions in the Police and Fire Departments from five unfilled positions to three unfilled positions. Councilperson Jordan stated he agrees with using the fund balance because we have great long-term solutions to keep positions. M s. W eidner r eported t he c ity's fund balance must be at 5 percent. Ms. Weidner reminded council members the city needs cash to pay bills before taxes are received in October and April. Ms. Weidner stated the fund balance is very important to Moodys. Ms. Weidner reported the Police and Fire Departments FY03 budgets came under budget because of military leaves and unfilled positions. Ms. Weidner stated this is unplanned fund balance so council could use $200,000. Councilperson Clark stated he favors using public safety savings from FY03 budget as long as we do not go under FY02 fund balance. Councilperson Hurley agreed to using $200,000 fund balance as long a we do not go below FY02 fund balance and put into long- term solutions to build other funds. Councilperson Greenwood a greed t o use $ 200,000 from fund balance to keep moving forward, but he would like some type of plan to build the fund balance back up. Approved on a vote of 7. Jordan now absent at 10:55 a.m. Moved by Greenwood, seconded by Hurley that the above stated recommended changes to reduce the FYE2004 General Fund $1,200,000 be accepted and placed on the council agenda of July 14, 2003, and the City Clerk directed to write ordinances on parking fines and commercial fire call fee to be placed on future council agenda. Ayes: Five. Nays: Getty. Absent: Jordan. Motion carried. With no further business before the council, it was moved by Getty, seconded by Greenwood that the meeting be adjourned at 11:01 a.m. Ayes: Six. Absent: Jordan. Motion carried. Nancy Eckert City Clerk