HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-05/09/2016COUNCIL WORK SESSION
May 9, 2016
04:00 p.m.
Harold E. Getty Council Chambers
Members present: Jacobs, Schmitt, Lind, Morrissey, Welper, and Amos.
Moved by Welper, seconded by Morrissey that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes:
Six. Motion carried.
Work Session on 2017-2021 Capital Improvements Program
Noel Anderson, Community Planning and Development Director, explained the five-year CIP
plan. It is updated annually. The requests are for CIP funds are submitted annually by each
department.
Mr. Lind expressed concern with not including Council and the public in the process until this
point. He questioned if the airport parking equipment could be funded by CIP funds.
Michelle Weidner, Chief Financial Officer, explained that in the past the Airport has been
financially independent. If Council wished to use G.O. Bond funds it could but it would be a
change
Mayor Hart stated that there is a group that is doing research and working toward putting
together some good numbers to present to council when funding decisions are being made.
Mr. Morrissey questioned the Council's role in this process.
Noel Anderson, Community Planning and Development Director, stated that input and
participation from Council is an important part of this process that helps to keep this process
moving forward.
Michelle Weidner, Chief Financial Officer, added that the bond hearings for funding have
already been scheduled: She added that projects can be substituted and gave examples.
Mayor Hart asked if Council would like more time to review and offered another work session.
Mr. Jacobs expressed the desire for more time.
Mr. Morrissey expressed a desire for more time.
Mr. Jacobs asked for clarification of Council's role in prioritizing these projects.
Mayor Hart explained the process of prioritization in cooperation with City Staff.
Mr. Lind questioned if a higher priority is placed on Waste Management projects due to the
consent decree.
Michelle Weidner affirmed the higher priority for Waste Management project.
Mr. Amos asked for clarification of the requested amounts and the approved amounts listed.
Noel Anderson explained that the requested amounts are exactly what the departments have
requested and the approved amounts is the amount being suggested in order to fit the projects
within the available funding of $8 million.
Mr. Welper asked if a department can allocate funds over several years towards a larger project.
Noel Anderson explained the process for larger projects that are funded over multiple years.
Michelle Weidner explained the rules for multi-year projects.
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Mr. Morrissey asked how emergency and catastrophic events affect the CIP plan. He also
questioned how the unused funds are handled.
Michelle Weidner explained that when projects become a -higher priority funds have to be moved
from one project to the more important project.
Mayor Hart stated that projects are monitored closely to ensure that each is moving forward as
planned even with any delays due to extenuating circumstances that may occur.
Mr. Schmitt questioned how department heads rank the priority of the project.
Mark Rice, Public Works Director, explained his projects and the priorities assigned to each of
them. He explained, for example, that some items are ranked higher because of the number of
departments and -outside entities that utilize and rely on those items.
Suzy Schares, City Clerk, clarified that the funds being requested are over different years and not
just FY17.
Mr. Lind asked for clarification on the construction storage building requested for FY18.
Mark Rice stated that' the storage building being requested is for an additional salt dome.
Mr. Lind questioned if the convention center project that is budgeted each year is due to the age
and needs of the building.
Craig Clark, Building Official, explained the needs of the building.
Mr. Morrissey asked if funding for the convention center projects is coming from TIF and
taxable bonds and if the fundingsource is different for the other projects.
Michelle Weidner explained the different columns and the amounts listed within the report.
Mr. Lind asked for clarification of the amounts listed as they relate to the end total of $8 million..:
Michelle Weidner clarified that the approved FY17 column equals the $8 million and the taxable
column equals the portion of the $8 million that is taxable.
Mr. Lind asked if the Cultural & Arts Center parking lot is part of the same project as Single
Speed, Water Street complex.
Craig Clark explained that the .parking lot is,all a part of the development around the Single
Speed Brewery.
Mr. Morrissey asked for clarification of processes involved in determining approval of projects.
Noel Anderson explained the process.
Mr. Lind questioned the downtown acquisition project and the reasoning behind it.
Noel Anderson explained the advantages to rehabilitating properties in the downtownarea.
Mr. Schmitt questioned the Vandewalle contract and whether it will be needed for the next five
years; he asked if there was a pbint at which some of these projects would and should be
abandoned.
Noel Anderson explained the planning process which is evaluated every year to determine the
possible need for services from contractors, such as Vandewalle, when planning development
proj ects.
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Mayor Hart stated that there would be a point where ceasing a project and moving on from it
would be the right decision.
Mr. Morrissey questioned the feasibility of keeping the bond limit low while costs associated
with completing these projects continue to climb.
Michelle Weidner explained that increasing bond limits would mean increasing property taxes.
Mayor Hart stated that the goal would be to decrease the bond limit, through strategic planning,
instead of increasing it.
With no further business before the Council, it was moved by Welper, seconded by Schmitt that
the meeting be adjourned at 5:03 p.m. Ayes: Six. Motion carried.
Suzy Schates, CMC
City Clerk/Human Resource Director