06/17/2008 MinutesCITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MIlVUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
June 17, 2008
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 17, 2008. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on June 11,
2008.
Mayor Margaret Hornady called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following members were
present: Councilmember's Haase, Nickerson, Gericke, Carney, Gilbert, Ramsey, Niemann, and
Meyer. Councilmember Brown and Zapata were absent. The following City Officials were
present: City Administrator Jeff Pederson, City Clerk RaNae Edwards, City Attorney Dale
Shotkoski, Public Works Director Steve Riehle, and Finance Director David Springer.
INVOCATION was given by Pastor Keith Davis, New Life Community Church, 301 West 2nd
Street followed by the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
Finance Director David Springer commented on the 2008/2009 budget process.
Review 2008/2009 Fee Schedule. David Springer, Finance Director reviewed the General Fund
Cash Reserves which had annually averaged a decrease of $2.5 million since 2004. Compared
were General Fund revenues vs. expenses along with General Fund personnel expenses. Capital
projects expenses were compared to General. fund transfers.
The following breakdown for the 2008/2009 Budgeted General Fund Appropriations was
presented:
• 49°,~o Public Safety
• 19% Public Works
• 16% Environment $c Leisure
• 10°io General Government
• 6% Non-Department
Reviewed were changes to the Fee Schedule for 2008/2009. Discussion was held concerning
Humane Society fees for un-neutered/un-spayed pet license fee being too high. City Attorney
Dale Shotkoski commented the Animal Advisory board suggested the fees with council
approval.
Question was asked by council why the Heartland Public Shooting Park Adult Sporting Clays
per round had decreased. Steve Paustian, Parks & Recreation Director stated to be comparable to
other parks this fee was too high and the theory was to increase the number of shooters. Towing
fees were discussed, with Police Chief Steve Lamken explaining the administrative and towing
fees.
Steve Reihle, Public Works Department commented on the Waste Water Treatment Plant fees.
Page 2, City Council Study Session, June 17, 2008
Review of 2008/2009 Full Time Equivalent's (FTE) Requests: David Springer, Finance Director
reported the original FTE requests from all departments were 23.500 but were pared to only
those that were critical or economically justifiable. 3.75 FTE's were proposed with a net of
$113,000 in the General Fund. (See attached summary ofFTE requests.)
Discussion was held regarding volunteer help at the Library. Steve Fosselman, Library Director
commented they had been working with the RSVP agency which was a limited but valuable
service. Mr. Fosselman explained the need for the 2.000 increase request in FTE's. Total
employees were 32 with FTE's equaling 27.348. Also explained was the teen program.
Jon Rosenlund, Emergency Management Director explained the need for the additional
Communications Specialist. Steve Lamken, Police Chief explained the change in the Evidence
Technician and Custodian positions. Gary Mader, Utilities Director explained the need of a
Lineman Apprentice position, which was not one of the 3.75 proposed.
Mr. Springer answered the question of how to balance the 2008/2009 budget. Property tax
increase was inevitable or a cut in services. City Administrator Jeff Pedersen commented this
budget was submitted without any significant decreases in services. Mr. Springer stated a 1 cent
increase would create $23,000 with a 4 cent increase creating approximately $1 million.
Council recessed at 8:10 p.m. and reconvened at 8:20 p.m.
Review of 2008!2009 Outside Agencies Funding Requests: David Springer, Finance Director
reported Outside Agencies were contacted to submit their requests for the 2008/2009 fiscal year.
(See attached summary of Outside Agency's requests.)
Comments were made by councilmember's regarding funding these agencies with taxpayer's
money. Odalys Perez and Paul Briseno representing the Multicultural Coalition explained the
matching funds required for this agency to exist.
Pat Langer, President of United Way commented on the number of agencies who provide
services to Grand Island.
The following people reported on the services provided to the City of Grand Island:
• Sheltie Pointer, Crisis Center Director
• Barb Ernst, Hope Harbor Executive Director
• Jeri Garroutte, Senior Center Industry Board representative
• LaDonna Cords, RSVP Program
• John Meister, Grand !stand lzaak Walton
Paul Briseno, Assistant to the City Administrator commented on the current status of the
Household Hazardous Waste facility. When this facility is complete there would not be a need to
fund the Clean Community Systems. Steve Riehle, Public Works Director commented on the
$20,000 budgeted for the Clean Community Systems.
Page 3, City Council Study Session, June 17, 2008
Mr. Springer stated Outside Agencies would be brought back to Council for a vote at the June
24, 2008. meeting.
ADJOi:TRNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
~~ ~~
RaNae Edwards
City Clerk
Page 4, City Council Study Session, June 17, 2008
SUMMARY OF REQUESTED FTE'S, FISCAL YEAR 2008-2009
( Five Year Financial Impact )
PERSONAL COST
Dept FTE Changes 2009-10 20010-11 2011-12 2012-13
Requested
No. Department Name Estimate Estimate Estimate Estimate
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
114 Finance
Less: Meter Reader -Part Time (0.500) ($15,475) ($15,939) ($16,417) ($16,910) ($17,417)
r -~
PUBLiC SAi=E7Y
223 Police
Evidence Technician -Old rate & scale
Evidence Technician -New rate & scale
Custodian
Total Police Services
226 Emergency Management
Communications Specialist
COA~NUMITYENVIRONMENT & LEISURE
443 Library
Assistant Library Director
Librarian II
Library Assistant I -Part Time
Library Page -Part Time
Total Library Services
(1.000) ($41,861} ($43,117) ($44,410) ($45,743) ($47,115)
1.000 $44,989 $46,339 $47,729 $49,161 $50,636
1.250 $28,292 $29,141 $30,015 $30,915 $31,843
1.250 $31,420 $32,363 $33,333 $34,333 $35,363
1.000 $48,657 $50,117 $51,620 $53,169 $54,764
1.000 $81,590 $84,038 $86,559 $89,156 $91,830
(1.000) ($76,094) ($78,377) ($80,728) ($83,150) ($85,644)
1.000 $25,641 $26,410 $27,203 $28,019 $28,859
1.000 $17,261 $17,779 $18,312 $18,862 $19,427
2.000 $48 398 $49 850 $51 345 $52,886 $54,472
PROPERTY TAX REQUIREMENT
GENERAL GOVERNMENT (0.500) ($15,475) ($15,939) ($16,417) ($16,910) ($17,417)
PUBLIC SAFETY 2.250 $80,077 $82,479 $84,954 $87,502 $90,127
COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT &
LEISURE 2.000 $48,398 $49,850 $51,345 $52,886 $54,472
GENERAL FUND PROPERTY TAX REQUIREMENT 3.750 5113,000 5116,590
5118,882 5123,478 $127,182
TOTAL CITY 3.750 5113,000 5116,390 5119,882 :123,478 $127,182
Page 5, City Council Study Session, June 17, 2448
OUTSIDE AGENCIES 2008/2009
2006 2007 2008 2009 STAFF
ORGANIZATION FUNDED FUNDED FUNDED REQUESTED RECOMMEND
Hope Harbor $ 4,500 $ 4,300 4,600 $ 6,000 $ 4,500
Convention and Visitors Bureau $ 10,000 $ 10,000 10,000 $ 16,000 $ 10,000
Council for International Visitors $ 1,000 $ 1,000 1,000 $ 1,000 $ 1,000
Crisis Center $ 12,000 $ 12,000 12,000 $ 13,000 $ 12,000
G. I. Dive and Rescue Team -Trailer $ 2,000 $ 2,000 $ - $ - $ -
$
Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) $ 10,000 $ 10,000 10,000 $ 10,000 $ 10,000
Senior Citizens Industries, Inc. $ 15,000 $ 15,000 15,000 $ 15,000 $ 15,000
Multicultural Coalition $ 10,000 $ 10,000 10,000 $ 10,000 $ 10,000
$
Fishing Derby $ 2,000 $ 2,000 2,000 $ 2,000 $ 2,000
Central Nebraska Etluuc Festival (Some ui kuid, postage, etc.) $ 900
Totals $ 66,600 $ 66,500 65,400 $ 71,000 $ 65,400
AGENCIES WITH WORKING RELATIONSHIPS WITH CITY DEPARTMENTS
2006 2007 2008 200'9 STAFF
ORGANIZATION FUNDED FUNDED FUNDED REQUESTED RECOMMEND
$
Central Nebraska Health Depa~nent $ 135,000 $ 125,000 120,000 $ 120,000 $ 120,000
Clean Community Systems $ 20,000 $ 20,000 20,000 $ 20,000 $ 20,000
Totals $ 166,000 $ 145,000 140,000 $ 140,000 $ 140,000
S
TOTAL OUTSIDE AGENCIES S 221,500 $ 211,500 205,400 $ 211,000 S 205,4110