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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-01-23 Minutes numberedCity of Iowa City MEMORAN-DUM Date: January 31, 1995 To: Mayor and City Council From: City Clerk Re: Council Work Session, January 23, 1995 - 6:10 p.m. in Civic Center Confer- ence Room Mayor Susan Horowitz presiding. Council present: Horowitz, Baker, Kubby, Lehman, Novick, Throgmorton, Pigott (6:20 p.m.). City staff present: Atkins, Helling, Karr, Yucuis, Mansfield. Tapes: 95-10, Side 2; 95-14, All; 95-15, Side 1. BUDGET DISCUSSION: Finance department Director Yucuis made the following corrections to Finance docurhents: Budget, table of contents, non-operational administration, add (aid to agency funding see page 24-25 for the narrative). Budget, page 9, second to the last paragraph, end of second line, delete "and fire equipment replacement." Budget, page 10, first paragraph, third sentence, delete Budget, page 19, upper right hand corner, change ($380,289,305 to $369,212,918). Budget, page 19, totals, change (91,479,603,883 to $1,472,226,315). Budget, page 26, less reserve balances, figures will be adjusted due to elimination of fire equipment reserve. Budget, page 28, top, FY98 debt service levy should be 1.886. Budget, page 43, water customer service, corrected to 1.5 FTE, wages: 930,160; benefits: 912,636; total: 942,796; grand total: FTE: 4.75; wages: 9105,378; benefits: 941,401; total: 9146,781. Police patrol, police officers total: 9333,168. Budget, page 44, grand totals: FTE: 33.75; wages: 9878,821; Benefits: 9333,040; total: 91,211,862. Budget, page 94, capital outlay, last two items 10% increase to strategic plan, $246,255 is for adult library materials and the second figure for children's library materials. In response to Baker, Yucuis explained the additional 950,000 library consultant fees will be packaged with the proposed referendum. Yucuis noted Council received new pages for enterprise funds. 2 Atkins presented a brief overview of the capital improvements programs, 1995-2001 and the new capital improvement projects - (chart 13). Atkins noted that projects #16, 17 and 18 are done. In response to Baker, Arkins stated the notation hew means that the projects are new to the plan. Horowitz asked if project #43, Melrose Market sanitary sewer could be done within the context of the overall Melrose Avenue project. Atkins stated that he would have to ask City Engineer Rick Fosse. Throgmorton inquired about the road in parkland site project. Atkins stated that figure has been changed to 980,000. Atkins stated that other revisions to total project costs are Oakland/Grant storm and sanitary relief, 9625,000 and fire apparatus, 9650,000. Atkins stated that the Iowa River trail system cost doubled because the project is now four projects but may include funding from other agencies. REVIEW DEBT SERVICE FUND. Atkins referred Council members to debt service fund, page 111. Atkins stated the debt service fund is a property tax levy and the debt service is the payment servicing the debt. Atkins stated that the actual debt limitation is 5% of the property values in the community and there is a policy whereby the debt service levy will be no more than 25% of the total property tax levy. Atkins noted that in FY96, the debt service levy is at 13% of the total property tax levy. Atkins stated that this budget calls for a tax rate of 1.726. Atkins noted the debt se6/ice fund is in fine shape. CIP PRIORITIZATION. Atkins asked Council members if they would like to undertake a setting of priorities for CIP. Atkins suggested a process whereby Council review project categories, receive input from staff, undertake an actual priority setting process using a "more important than" ranking system. Atkins stated he would provide Council with a handout identifying 18 points for setting priorities for capital projects. Throgmorton offered that Council members may want to add potential capital expenditures to the list. Cbuncil members discussed the CIP pdoritization process and public hearings. Atkins stated that he will prepare information regarding the CIP prioritization and forward a memo to Council, and tentatively schedule a meeting in March. BUDGET POLICY ISSUES (CHART #14). Atkins presented information regarding major budget policy issues. POLICE FEDERAL GRANT. Arkins explained the City has been informed that the City can receive a 100% grant from the federal crime bill recently approved by congress; the grant is for approximately 91,000,000 to hire eight police officers; and a commitment is needed to the project within the next 30 days. Atkins and Council members discussed future funding of the proposed Police Officer positions once federal funding ends. Atkins explained that future costs for the eight police officer positions is 9400,000 annually. Atkins stated that current insurance liability costs of approximately 9400,000 per year are funded out of the City's general fund and could be paid for by a tort levy of .27. Atkins noted the City has unlimited levy capacity for tort. Atkins stated that once the City uses the tort levy, those monies would go into the risk management fund. Atkins also explained that a .27 emergency levy can be used by declaring an emergency, Atkins stated another option is through police turnover and attrition. Atkins stated that in FY99 six Police Officers will be eligible for retirement and staff is confident that three will retire. Atkins reported that there are not eight positions open in the Police Academy to get officers trained. Atkins stated that five officers can get trained in September at the Police Academy. Arkins explained that the total complement of Police personnel is currently 59, the grant allows the City to go up to 67, if the City was able to get five persons trained, the CiW would be dealing with a complement of 64 on the police force. In response to Baker, Atkins explained that for each seven day week, 24 hours per day, you need 4.2 officers to make sure someone is there at all times. Pigott inquired about the community policing program. Atkins stated that the proposed 0 3 program would need to be scaled back. Atkins asked Council members if the City should pursue the grant to fund the Police positions. Council members discussed Police staffing needs.. Throgmorton asked if the existing extent of criminal activity in Iowa City warrants the officers or do the current trends in criminal activity warrant the officers. Atkins stated criminal activity is not an issue of alarm, although the number of calls have increased dramatically. Council members inquired about evaluation criteria. Lehman stated he needs to see trends or actual situations that need more Police Officers. Atkins stated that he will prepare a memo with additional information including number of calls, demonstration of trends, timeframe with regard to the federal contract, etc. Kubby requested information on ways to evaluate attitudes before and after additional Police Officers. INDUSTRIAL PARK. Atkins explained that the Sass property has been sold to the Strebs and the Houghton property is currently for sale. Atkins stated that if the City is going to get involved in a industrial park plan, it appears the City will have to be working directly with private developers. Arkins explained that an industrial park plan may involve the investment of 940,000 per acre. Atkins and Council discussed industrial park locations and use. Pigott asked why the private sector cannot create an industrial-park plan. Arkins stated that the private sector does not have the financial staying power they would need to get in. Kubby emphasized that the industrial park should he a City industrial park so the City can control who comes in and has criteria over the use of the park. Throgmorton asked if the industrial park would improve job opportunities for people. who'live here. Throgmorton noted his purpose for an industrial park would be to provide a more sustainable community over a long period of time. Council members discussed land cost. Horowitz explained that ICAD is constantly in contact with businesses. Kubby stated the City's goals are to expand. current businesses and get new businesses that are compatible. Throgmorton stated he is supportive of the concept but is concerned about the criteria by which the City determines which firms to invite or fit into the facility. Atkins stated that he can prepare additional information for Council and he realizes that the criteria for businesses is critical. Horowitz noted that this item is on for discussion at the Joint City/County meeting tomorrow. CEMETERY. Atkins presented information about the cemetery. Atkins stated the cemetery was established in 1860, approximately 17,000 people are buried there today and the cemetery is currently 37 acres. At'kins reported that in five years the cemetery lots will be sold out. Atkins stated that an additional two acres are needed to extend the cemetery for another 25 years. Arkins referred to a map and stated that a logical place to obtain the two acres is immediately east in Hickory Hill Park. Atkins noted that the cemetery expenses are 9190,000 per year and $30,000 are generated in revenue. Council members discussed the use of Hickory Hill Park. The majority of Council members agreed to pursue obtaining the additional two acres from Hickory Hill Park, contacting the Parks and Recreation Commission, and contacting local funeral directors. HOW FIRE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED. Atkins stated there has got to be a better way to provide fire services to Johnson County. Atkins explained that there are 14 emergency services/fire districts in the county and the City has the only full-time service. Arkins stated that the majority of calls the City receives are not fire, but EMS and rescue-related. Atkins emphasized there has got to be a better way of coordinating all the activities of emergency services within Johnson County. Council directed Atkins to put something together that addresses the whole series of issues relating to emergency services in Johnson County. PUBLIC WORKS FACILITY. Arkins explained that the environmental assessment is underway on the public work site. Atkins asked Council if they would support the sale of the site for commercial purposes and relocate the public works to the Airport property. Staff and Council 4 reviewed the Public Works facility site, Sturgis Ferry River area, and Airport property. Atkins stated that he would also like to move what was the Gilbert Court/old bus barn water distribution .site out and sell or lease that property. Council directed Arkins-to pursue moving Public Works to the Airport property and selling or leasing the Gilbert Court property, STORMWATER MANAGEMENT. Atkins asked Council to establish a stormwater management policy that would set aside funds to meet future stormwater management expenses. Arkins stated that he will prepare a proposal for Council. ASSISTED HOUSING. Atkins stated that he will bring back information regarding assisted housing. OVERVIEW OF STATE.TAX POLICY/REPORTING REQUIREMENTS, Yucuis reviewed the schedule as follows: February 14 - City Council sets public hearing for February 28 February 17 - February 28 - March 7 - March 1§ - Budget available for public inspection if hearing on February 28 CiW Council holds public hearing City Council approves FY96 budget and FY96, FY97 and FY98 financial Ifian. Deadline for filing budget with cdunty and state. In response to Kubby, Budget Analyst Mansfield stated that there are four program areas: community protection, home and community environment, police and fire and animal shelter and human development, and funds can be moved within each of those areas. Council members discussed budget dates. Yucuis explained that once the public hearing is set the City has to advertise and the budget needs to be available fo~ public i~spection. Atkins noted that staff is comfortable with the schedule as stated. MEETING SCHEDULE. Arkins and Council discussed meeting dates and times for general discussion and to receive input from boards and commissions. Council agreed to schedule Board and Commission input for February 6, 6:30, and budget discussion February 7, 6:30 p.m. Kdbby noted that Board and Commission members should present written materials ahead of time. In response to Council, Atkins stated that solid waste discussions are scheduled on the 21 st. GENERAL DISCUSSION, Kubby commented on the defer.red Airport Commission appointment. Council Members decided that gender balance would be announced at the same time as a vacancy is announced on the agenda to alert the public prior to the appointment of a desire for balance. Horowitz reminded Council Members to respond to the invitation from Veterans Administration to attend their annual celebration on February 11 and 12 honoring hospitalized Veterans. Horowitz noted that Council Members received a supplemental memo regarding Adult Day Program. Meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.