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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.23.1998COUNCIL WORK SESSION February 23, 1998 5:00 p.m. - 5:I5 p.m. Large Conference Room Members present: Mayor Rooff, Getty, Anders, Murphy, Jordan, Mollenhoff, Krizek. Members absent: Collier Moved by Murphy, seconded by Krizek that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Six. Absent: Collier. Motion carried. Melvina Scott was present to discuss the Smith Brothers Memorial Homeless Program. The Smith Brothers were businessmen in the community that assisted the homeless with food and shelter in their homes. In order to ensure the work of the Smith Brothers continued, a Board was formed and incorporated. The goal of the Board is to renovate the one existing home at 219 Sumner Street and use as a shelter for the homeless. This has been an on -going process since 1996. At that time, a request was made for $61,000.00 to refurbish the home. Some assistance has been received from businesses such as Home Depot and Lennox. There has already been $10,000.00 in labor donated and other tangible donations such as furniture from other businesses. The Board is asking for $22,000.00 from Community Development Board. Ms. Scott is asking the City Council to consider any possible grant funds available to assist with their project as this would help the community and the property is also a historical preservation sight. The City Planner confirmed an application has been submitted for home funds and will be determined by the Community Development Board prior to forwarding it to the City Council. Discussion was held on whether the property can be effectively renovated. Ms. Scott advised it could be. Mayor Rooff requested the Fire Department complete an inspection to ensure their current cost estimates of renovation are fairly accurate. Ms. Scott advised the taxes are also up to date on the property. Ms. Scott said the main focus is on the homeless and current statistics show 465 individuals as being homeless in the community. This would provide a temporary residence for male individuals only in need of assistance. The property will be able to house fourteen people with possible future expansion into the cottage attic for an additional four to five beds. Mr. Mollenhoff questioned if any other government agencies in the area had been contacted for assistance such as Grundy County Mental Health. Ms. Scott advised no contact have been made yet, but are planning to contact these types of organizations for additional assistance. Murphy asked if there have been any neighborhood objections to this project. Ms. Scott said it has not been a problem and are actually anticipating some positive changes in the neighborhood as a result of this home. With no further business before the council, it was moved by Getty, seconded by Jordan that the meeting be adjourned at 5:16 p.m. Ayes: Six. Absent: Collier. Motion carried. Nancy Eckert City Clerk COUNCIL WORK SESSION February 23, 1998 5:15 p.m. Large Conference Room Members present: Mayor Rooff, Getty, Anders, Murphy, Mollenhoff, Krizek, Jordan. Members absent: Collier. Moved by Krizek, seconded by Mollenhoff that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Six. Absent: Collier. Motion carried. The F.Y. 1999 Budget was reviewed with a reduced property tax rate of $16.98. This is less than originally quoted due to a deduction based on health insurance. Mayor Rooff presented an example illustrating to how the external factors affect the tax amounts: assessed value, state rollback, and local levy. The budget as proposed includes reserved block of funds to be utilized for specific uses. These funds will be used to plan for the future and provide protection against unforeseen events such as repair, maintenance, and depreciation. Mr. Murphy asked if there were facts and figures available from other cities in Iowa for a comparison with Waterloo. The Finance Manager advised other cities are at the same stage of budgeting and information will not be available at this time. Mayor Rooff would like to see a "like -houses" comparison between cities to compare the value of Waterloo homes to other cities. Mayor Rooff advised the incentives being offered to businesses also needs to be reviewed to ensure the percentage covers Police, Fire, and Education. In addition, some of the incentives being offered may not meet the need of small businesses in the community. The Finance Manager distributed a comparison of budget funding from 1994 to 1999. The net operating budget for 1999 is the same as 1994. The proposed F.Y. 1999 Budget will be published on February 26, 1998 with the hearing scheduled for March 9, 1998. Discussion was held regarding the possibility of additional budget cuts. Mayor Rooff stated this budget proposal is a snapshot as of today and the Budget Review Committee is still actively reviewing. A work session will be held on Monday, March 2, 1998 on the proposed F.Y. 1999 Budget. With no further business before the council, it was moved by Getty, seconded by Jordan that the meeting be adjourned at 5:54 p.m. Ayes: Six. Absent: Collier. Motion carried. Nancy Eckert City Clerk