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Home My WebLink About1997-01-21 Minutes numbered (2)City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: To: From: Re: January 31, 1997 Mayor and City Council City Clerk Council Budget Session, January 21, 1997- 4:12 p.m. in the Council Chambers Mayor Naomi J. Novick presiding. Council present: Novick, Kubby, Lehman, Norton, Thornberry, Vanderhoef, (Baker 4:20 p.m.). Staff present: Atkins, Helling, Karr, Yucuis. Tapes: Reel 97-9, All; 97-11, Side 1. BUDGET PRESENTATION Reel 97-9, Side 1~, ]7' City Manager Atkins presented several budget issues for Council discussion: HUMAN SERVICE AGENCY FUNDING. Atkins noted Council received Kubby and Thornberry's Human Service Agency Funding recommendations. Thornberry said the Human Services Agency budget includes a $10,000 contingency. Kubby said Emergency Housing Shelter received a larger percentage increase to put more money into the Early Bird Program. Kubby explained that agencies providing increased services because of welfare reform were considered closely. Council Members agreed to discuss increased funding needs with Coralville at Wednesdays' JCCOG meeting, and follow up with a letter. 2. STP REALLOCATION Novick emphasized that attendance at Wednesday's JCCOG meeting was important because of a scheduled vote on the Melrose-West reallocation of STP monies. 3. JCCOG COST ALLOCATION Atkins noted Council received information in their JCCOG packet. 4. ENGINEERING STAFFING Atkins summarized that the City of Iowa City has six full-time professional engineers, Ames -- 7.5, Cedar Falls -- 4, Cedar Rapids -- 12, Council Bluffs -- 4, Davenport -- 7, Des Moines -- 31, Dubuque -- 5, and Waterloo -- 5. In response to Kubby, Atkins stated the Assistant Superin- tendent of Streets and Sanitation will oversee Refuse and JCCOG Solid Waste Coordinator Neumann will handle the community education. 5. AIRPORT LEVY Finance Director Yucuis explained to establish an Airport Levy the Airport Commission would have to become an Airport Authority and would involve additional power or rule making authority. 2 In response to Council, Atkins stated he will have staff research if the Airport Levy can include a sunset provision, citizen approval requirements, and the difference between the present Airport Commission and Airport Authority. COUNCIL BUDGET QUESTIONS Reel 97-9, Side 1 City Manager Atkins and Council reviewed budget questions as submitted by Council Members Kubby, Vanderhoef, and Norton. (Council packet 1/17). A. Council Member Kubby questions: EQUIPMENT RESERVES Atkins explained the equipment reserve, a cash set aside, was established six-seven years ago and was eliminated due to other budget needs. Council agreed to budget for fire equipment reserve m $50,000 and Transit equipment reserve -- $50,000. CITY COUNCIL RAISE Kubby noted the last City Council raise occurred 1985. City Clerk stated the City of Iowa City Charter states during the months of November and December, immediately following a regularly scheduled City Council election; the Council shall not adopt new salaries and a change in the compensation for all Council Members becomes effective at the beginning of the term of the Council Members elected at the next election following the change. Council agreed to a $1,000 per Council Member increase, in accordance with the City Charter and State Law and directed staff to schedule discussion regarding establishing. a Council pay increase mechanism for future years. WELFARE REFORM Kubby stated the City should monitor the effects from Welfare reform; Welfare reform will have an impact on livable wages and child care issues; and the City could help by targeting monies towards business started by low-income individuals. TRANSIT Kubby proposed challenging Transit to reduce their budget. Council discussed City employee production efficiency programs. PARKING METER ART Kubby proposed allocating $500 for parking meter art. Council Members asked Atkins to look at a comprehensive arts and cultural program. HEALTH CARE COSTS Assistant City Manager Helling explained prescriptions and child care issues were dis- cussed in labor/management committee meetings and union members were pretty satis- fied with the current health care program. 3 Council Member Vanderhoef questions: ARTS/CU LTURAL FESTIVAL (Vanderhoef) Vanderhoef proposed establishing a long-term budget agreement with the Convention Visitor's Bureau. Council discussed CVB Jazz Fest, Arts Fest, Friday Night Concert, Hospice Road Race, Bike Criterium, and Arts/Cultural funding. Atkins explained FY96 hotel-motel tax brought in $460,000 total; CVB got 25%, $115,000; subtract $10,000 arts/Jazz Fest; and net total to CVB was $105,000. Atkins noted that 1% of the hotel/motel tax equals approximately $4,000. Council directed Mayor Novick to discuss 20% hotel-motel tax funding with CVB Board and report back. Atkins suggested asking CVB to attend Council's February 3, budget work session. Council agreed. GENERAL FUND -- CIP Vanderhoef focused on bonding capacity for building and repair projects. Aktins reviewed the Capital Outlay Projects/repair (outlined in financial plan FY98-2000, page 1 of 8). Atkins noted that the Library repair budget has been revised to $678,000 (roof repair -- $215,000, carpet replacement m $238,000, HVAC remainder). Thornberry asked for detailed information about the Library bids, suppliers, etc. Lehman requested information comparing the building size of the Public Library and the Senior Center. Baker asked if architects and consultants are going to look at what the cost is of maximizing space at the Library's present location. Atkins said he will contact PCD Director Franklin. Atkins discussed bonding issues for the Library Project; Animal Shelter; Senior Center; and Airport.Maintenance Building: Council agreed that civic building maintenance is very important. Council Member Norton questions: Norton noted he will redistribute a shorter list of key budget questions. MISCELLANEOUS Lehman said City of Iowa City was very well represented at Walk of the Stars. City Manager Atkins stated Council's next budget session is scheduled February 3, and will include boards and commissions; the Hospice Road Race $5,000 request is not budgeted for; and the peninsula figure is $1.3 million. Meeting adjourned at 6:03 p.m.