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06/20/2006 Minutes I I OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION June 20, 2006 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a Study Session of the City Council of the City of Grand Island, Nebraska was conducted in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 100 East First Street, on June 20, 2006. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on June 14, 2005. Mayor Jay Vavricek called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following members were present: Council members Meyer, Whitesides, Pielstick, Gilbert, Nickerson, Cornelius, Pauly, Hornady, Walker, and Haase. The following City Officials were present: City Administrator Gary Greer, City Clerk RaNae Edwards, Finance Director David Springer, Interim City Attorney Dale Shotkoski, and Public Works Director Steve Riehle. INVOCATION was given by Reverend Alberta Danner, First Church of the Nazarene, 1022 West 6th Street followed by the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. MAYOR COMMUNICATION: Mayor Vavricek commented on those people serving over seas and the recent deaths of soldiers from Nebraska. Review of 2006-2007 Fee Schedule. FTE (Full Time Equivalent) Requests. and Funding for Outside Agencies. Mayor Vavricek commented on the processes and the responsibilities of the Mayor, Council, and staff during the Budget process. At the direction of the Mayor this year's budget was based on a 0% increase. 2006-2007 FEE SCHEDULE: Finance Director David Springer reported that many steps had been taken to prepare for the 2006-2007 City Budget. Mr. Springer explained that the reasons for some fee increases were because there hadn't been a rate increase for many years. The following Department fees were discussed: Parks & Recreation Pool fees Utilities Electrical and water rates Public Works Wastewater Treatment costs Parks & Recreation Golf Course deficit Chuck Haase, 3024 Colonial Lane questioned the capital investment of the electric turbines. Gary Mader, Utilities Director commented that the turbines were to be used during the peek load. Mr. Mader explained the use of gas versus coal, base load versus peek load, and the costs associated with each. Explained were the capital expenditures and revenues. """.I..","'\lol.'J.h....".,~.:.,", .,.",;.r.ifj"" ~~.::~::~. ...,.~".:.::-;,..~"".,t.i.:> ,;;<~",~,,:""'''''''''",~'';;';;':~<~'''''''~'' ,...,~," I I Page 2, City Council Study Session, June 20, 2006 OUTSIDE AGENCY FUNDING REQUESTS: Mr. Springer reported that the following agencies had requested the following amounts: Organization . Hope Harbor . Convention and Visitors Bureau . Council for International Visitors . Crisis Center . G.I. Dive and Rescue Team - Trailer · Retired and Senior Volunteer Program . Senior Citizens Industries, Inc. . Multicultural Coalition . Central Nebraska Humane Society . Central Nebraska Health Department . Clean Community Systems Request $5,000 $15,000 $1,500 $13,000 $2,265 $10,000 $15,000 $10,000 $241,500 $125,000 $20,000 Recommended $4,500 $10,000 $1,000 $12,000 $2,000 $10,000 $15,000 $10,000 $160,000 $125,000 $20,000 Mr. Springer stated a letter had not been received or was misplaced from the Fishing Derby for a request of $2,000 and a late requested was received from the Third City Community Clinic for an amount of$I,OOO to $2,000. He also stated Council needed to take a hard look at the Outside Agencies as to whether they should be funded for the 2007/2008 fiscal year. Discussion was held regarding the Humane Society request. Brad Drimil, Executive Director of the Humane Society commented that this funding was for animal control not the capital campaign going on for a new building. Mr. Drimil stated they had over 45,000 calls last year. Terry Galloway, Accountant presented a financial analysis for the Humane Society. Total revenues for 2006 were $476,682 with expenses of $476,700 for a 0.76% increase over last year expenditures. Mr. Galloway stated they had raised money through fund raisers to help pay expenses. Mr. Drimil mentioned that services would have to be cut if funding didn't cover expenses. Number of officers, hours for animal control calls, after hour's services, and wildlife calls might have to be eliminated. Councilmember Meyer stated he felt the city needed to fund the Humane Society to cover their expenses. Discussion was held with regards to the fee schedule for the Humane Society. Mr. Drimil stated the Humane Society meets the second Monday of each month, but encouraged the councilmember's to stop in and visit with him. Explained was the funding from Hall County in the amount of$II,OOO per year plus several villages which they had contracts with. Councilmember Nickerson thanked the Central District Health Department for asking $10,000 less this year. Councilmember's Meyer and Whitesides stated they felt we should fund the Fishing Derby the same as last year, but not the Third City Community Clinic. Mr. Greer stated the Outside Agencies future funding needed to be discussed at the council retreat next year. .'. I I _cr Page 3, City Council Study Session, June 20, 2006 The following organizations were present and thanked the Council for the 2005/2006 funding received: . Odalys Perez, Multicultural Organization . Renee' Seifert, Convention and Visitors Bureau . Steve Horn, G.!. Dive and Rescue Team . Lois Stienike, Senior Citizens Industries, Inc. . Carol Richter, Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) Senator Ray Aguilar, 706 Grand Avenue commented on a policy discussion concerning Outside Agencies. There were many agencies within Grand Island that do not ask for monies from the City. Recommended was a criteria to follow for all agencies to participate. FTE (FULL TIME EQUIVALENT): Mr. Springer reported that City Administration challenged Departments to only make changes in personnel when they were overwhelmingly justified, responded to Federal/State mandates, enhanced efficiency, or were connected to a revenue stream. It was noted that there would be a reduction of 1.45 in FTE's for a net reduction amount of $97,377 city-wide for the 2006-2007 Budget Year. The following requests were made: Administration Less: Administrative Secretary Finance Less: Accountant Legal Less: Legal Assistant Police Evidence Technician Police Less: Community Service Officer Public Works Less: Public Works Secretary Library Library Secretary Library Less: Library Secretary Parks Maintenance Worker (parks) Parks Less: Senior Maintenance Worker Heartland Shooting Range Maintenance Worker (1.00) (1. 00) (1.00) 1.00 (0.75) (1.00) 1.00 (0.70) 1.00 (1.00) 1.00 Council member Meyer stated he had a hard time seeing over 45 years of experience let go. The positions to be eliminated were: Administrative Secretary, Legal Assistant, and Public Works Secretary. Questioned were the criteria for removing these particular positions. He stated he could not support a budget that would reduce these three positions. Mr. Springer stated these positions would be absorbed in to other departments. Brenda Sutherland, Human Resources Director explained the positions that were being reduced. Councilmember's Meyer and Haase stated they would not support these reductions and then increase one Maintenance Worker for the Heartland Public Shooting Park. Discussion was held concerning temporary workers. Gary Greer, City Administrator commented on the reasons for letting these positions go was because we do not want to raise taxes. Mayor Vavricek commented that if we were flush with cash we would not have to eliminate these positions. ,I- 1lU~ I I .,._A Page 4, City Council Study Session, June 20, 2006 Steve Paustian, Parks and Recreation Director commented on the one new full time employee due to the increased operations at the Heartland Public Shooting Park. Also mentioned was this was a revenue source and the majority of work was done by volunteers. Discussion was held regarding the number of hours the Shooting Park was open. Gary Greer, City Administrator commented on the increase of one employee for the Heartland Public Shooting Park. The work load is too much for one person, the liability to the city, and the revenue source to pay for this position. Discussion was held regarding changing the Community Service Officer from .75 to 1 full-time Police Evidence Technician. Questioned was the increase of $22,278 for this position. Mr. Greer stated that was the difference between part-time and full-time. Captain Robert Falldorf commented on the position ofthe Evidence Technician. Mayor Vavricek stated the Council needed to make these difficult decisions that would affect budgets in years to come. Mr. Greer stated these were administration recommendations and would be brought before the council in the near future. Councilmember Meyer stated he would like to see a severance package for the three employees being reduced. Brenda Sutherland, Human Resources Director explained the current Personnel Rules would guide the severance package. Mayor Vavricek stated this would be brought back to council at the July 11, 2006 Regular Meeting. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 9:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, RoS\~ ~ RaNae Edwards City Clerk ., ..i,r--- '0 . ot"~.;.> I '" ..~.,_....: t';