HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.19.2002• •
COUNCIL WORK SESSION
February 19, 2002
4:00 p.m.
First Floor Conference Room
Members present: Mayor Rooff, Welper, Clark, Jordan, Hurley, Greenwood.
Members absent: Berry, Getty.
Moved by Jordan, seconded by Welper that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Four.
Absent: Berry, Greenwood, Getty. Motion carried.
The Road Use Tax Fund was discussed. There is legislation being proposed that the Road Use
Tax be allocated to cities be set at $5.25 per capita, and the result to our budget would be a loss
of $361,000. If that is not passed, the Road Use Tax Fund would be $116,419 on June 30, 2002,
and $971,185 on June 30, 2003. The total amount requested by departments funded by the Road
Use Tax has increased $600,000 for FY03.
The Street Department Budget was reviewed. The Street Department is requesting to replace six
positions not included in the FY02 Budget. Two of the positions transfer to the Parks
Department in the summer. There are increases in materials, overtime, double time, aggregate
and chemicals line items. The contract for snow removal in the amount of $150,000 is included
in the FY03 Budget, but was removed in the FY02 Budget. The Street Department performs the
Seal Coating Program, with funding from the Local Option Sales Tax. Forty-six positions were
budgeted for FY02, with one person on layoff, one person on disability, and two retirements. If
the budget was approved in the amount of $5,450,294 the Street Department would be able to
replace one retiree. Line Item 1571 (Equipment Parts) in the amount of $26,250 was reviewed.
Discussion was heard on the purchase of salt. The city has 180 miles of priority streets and uses
approximately 150 to 200 tons of salt per event. Line Item 1513 (Chemicals) has been budgeted
$185,000 in the FY03 Budget, compared to $150,000 in FY02 Budget. The city has 450 miles of
streets and 80 miles of alleys. The city has worked out a program to have other city staff help
during snowfalls. Five Engineer Technicians received their CDL and training to help with
plowing of streets. Other staff from the Sewer, Sanitation and Leisure Services Departments will
also be used during snowfalls. The Street Sweeping Program was reviewed. The streets should
be swept a minimum of two times per year. The Garbage fund currently pays $185,000 for street
sweeping. The lease/purchase of John Deere equipment was discussed. The Street Department
has budgeted replacement of five cabs for the dump trucks, repainting of ten cabs and the
purchase of a new shop air compressor.
The Engineering Department Budget was reviewed. The Engineering Department has 12
employees paid out of the Road Use Tax and 7 paid out of Local Option Sales Tax. The budget
includes $40,000 for underwater bridge inspection. Line Item 2113 includes $15,000 budgeted
for a new copier, and $9,000 for a used microfilm reader.
Councilperson Greenwood now present at 5:10 p.m.
The revenue line items in the Engineering Department were reviewed. One person is eligible for
retirement but has not indicated that they will retire in FY03. If the department is required to
reduce its budget by three percent, the council would have to decide what capital projects would
be canceled. The Sidewalk Inspection Program involves three staff members and includes three
projects. The Engineering Department has been involved with designing of parking lots, and
coordinates projects with private consultants.
The Local Option Sales Tax was reviewed. The budget includes mostly staff. Approximately
$6.7 million is collected in sales tax, with the tax collected on $76.78 per capita, and the city has
a population of $68,747.
Councilperson Jordan now absent at 5:40 p.m.
The Traffic Department Road Use Tax Budget was reviewed. The Road Use Tax is used for
safety and street lighting. 12.5 staff level is proposed in the FY03 Budget. Duties include: snow
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February 19, 2002
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removal in downtown parking lots and sidewalks, bike trails on Greenhill Road, Ansborough
Avenue and Martin Luther King. The Traffic Technician positions were reviewed. Maintenance
of street lights, civil defense and flood control were reviewed. The department provides
electrical services during special events. Reviewed reimbursement for damage to traffic signals
and street light poles. The department repaints all the traffic signals. Discussed hiring retirees
on a contractual basis. Line Item 1581 (Paint Supplies) was budgeted $20,000 in FY02, but the
department has a supply on hand and will not need to order in FY03. Discussed utilities
expenses and the savings that could be realized using LEDs. Discussed video cameras for traffic
and the proposed pilot program.
The council reviewed budget reductions. The council discussed ways to reduce budget requests
including leaving Police Department at 121 level, leaving Fire Department as proposed, hiring
the Airport Director, the $1.50 set aside in golfing and proposed that $1 be used for maintenance
and fifty cents for improvements.
The Chief Financial Officer reported that golf is not self-supporting as bonded funds are used,
and administrative costs are not included in the Golf Budget.
It was suggested that the council look at promotions in the Police Department as those
promotions trickle down to the patrol level.
Councilperson Greenwood suggested that for the next meeting increases to the rental life
inspection fees be reviewed, and that sanitary and sewer fees be reviewed with the idea of
transferring some of the fees to the General Fund. Councilperson Clark commented that he is
against transferring these fees as we should build up the garbage and sewer funds for
emergencies.
Mayor Rooff commented that the council will have to look at increasing fees and taxes, and
cutting positions.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by Hurley, seconded by Welper that
the meeting be adjourned at 7:56 p.m. Ayes: Four. Absent: Berry, Jordan, Getty. Motion
carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk