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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/05/2010 08A Draft Minutes 11-17-2009 Adjourned Meeting - Study SessionA A i. 11 • 1 1 HISM119TT Present: Council: Mayor Dave Edler, presiding, Assistant Mayor Micah Cawley, Coincil Members Maureen Adkison, Kathy Coffey, Rick Ensey and Bill Lover Staff: City Manager Zais, Finance & Budget Director DeBord and City Clerk Kloster Absent: Sonia Rodriguez (excused). 2. 2010 Council Budget Review City Manager Zais recapped budget activity to date and referred to the budget I adjustments and policy issues that Were made since the original forecast. These are to be decided at the December I budget session. He pointed out that altho i gI we adopt the budget, there still may be additional reductions in 2010. The state is facing 6 huge budget deficit that will impact all cities and counties with regard to state-shared revenues. Items reviewed: Street light reduction proposal — it was the consensus of Council not to accept proposal. Transfer ofEmergency Management Service (EMS) to the Fire Department — This would require -a six-month advance notice. Mayor Edler did not support the idea of ;adding additional responsibilities to the Fire Department when we already have "bare bones" department. Fire Chief Hines responded to Council questions stating that it was suggested to show they were team players and willing to make further adjustments if it meant saving fire fighter positions. The discussion outlined all the requirements necessary to accomplish taking on that responsibility. Council I Member Lover suggested asking Emergency Management to reduce their budgpt. Council suggestions that came forward at this point were 1) separating intergovernmental requests and community requests and 2) identifying requests for funding are mandated or not. City Manager Zais addressed the situation with the reserves. He noted that without using reserves, we would have to make far steeper reductions. We are using some reserves to get through the end of the year- . We are set to maintain a .7% minimum reserve at the end of 2010 and will not exceed a reliance of over 3%. We cannot have this.continue indefinitely and will take steps not to use reserves' to balance the budget. He advised that twenty-four positions are being eliminated from what was authorized at the beginning of 2009. These were mostly vacant positions or handled by attrition.- Currently, there are only three actual layoffs planned. 3. ADJOURNED MEETING — BUDGET NOVEMBER 17, 2009 Following are Council member suggestions that were given during the budget meetings and were reviewed individually, Reduced travel for Council — It was stated that this reduction could affect Council's ability to participate in legislative lobbying and rnay not be a good area to cut. Council Member Lover explained his reasons for the proposed cut and suggested Council members not stay overnight when they go to Olympia. Council Member Coffey suggested the trip to Washington D.C. be reduced to two council members. Diversity promotion program (MLK'celebration activities) — Council Member Lover considers this an outside agency and he suggested eliminating all outside agency requests. Harman Center — Public Works Director Waarvick explained the list of options noting that they are not recommending any of them. In response to questioning, he advised that the $10,000 budget increase was for increases in power, natural gas, and benefits for the 2.5 FTEs. Eliminate Crime Analyst position — Council Member Cawley said he had contacted the City of Spokane and their top pay for their crime analyst is $52,000 versus ours at $111,000. During discussion, Mayor Edler and Council Members Adkison and Coffey supported keeping the posifion. Eliminate Outside Agencies — Council Members Adkison and Coffey spoke in support of a 50% reduction from 2009 funding (as was included in the Budget Forecast) rather than total elimination. Potential budget reinstatements: • Fire canine program —,A grant award from ATF has helped offset about 50% of this program, • Municipal court cashier — This position has been Vacated because the employee knew it was slated for elimination and found another position. • Animal control officer position — A contract with the Humane Society for one officer and transfer one officer to the ONDS Code Officer position. The reinstatement of animal license fees will help offset as well. • Fire secretary — The elimination of this position is suggested to be delayed until the end of February to allow for early retirement. • Assistant city attorney prosecutor position — The N8rcotics Unit will fund this position. Bill Cook, Community and Economic Development Manager, gave a status report on the William O. Douglas grants we are responsible to administer noting we are approaching some deadlines. •.. - CAWLEY MOVED AND ENSEY SECONDED TO ADJOURN TO 5.00 P.M. FOR A STUDY SESSION REGARDING REGIONAL PLANNING ISSUES. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote; Rodriguez absent The meeting adjourned at 10-05 a.m. ADJOURNED MEETING - BUDGET NOVEMBER 17, 2009 - READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY 'COUNCIL MEMBER DATE COUNCIL MEMBER DA ATTEST: CITY CLERK DAVID EDLER, MAYOR Minutes prepared by Linda Watkins. A CD and DVD of this meeting are available in the City Clerk Office. 3