06-16-2009 City Council Study Session PacketCity of Grand Island
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Study Session Packet
City Council:Mayor:
Margaret Hornady
City Administrator:
Jeff Pederson
City Clerk:
RaNae Edwards
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7:00:00 PM
Council Chambers - City Hall
100 East First Street
Larry Carney
Scott Dugan
John Gericke
Peg Gilbert
Chuck Haase
Robert Meyer
Mitchell Nickerson
Bob Niemann
Kirk Ramsey
Jose Zapata
Call to OrderCity of Grand Island City Council
A - SUBMITTAL OF REQUESTS FOR FUTURE ITEMS
Individuals who have appropriate items for City Council consideration should complete the Request for Future Agenda
Items form located at the Information Booth. If the issue can be handled administratively without Council action,
notification will be provided. If the item is scheduled for a meeting or study session, notification of the date will be given.
B - RESERVE TIME TO SPEAK ON AGENDA ITEMS
This is an opportunity for individuals wishing to provide input on any of tonight's agenda items to reserve time to speak.
Please come forward, state your name and address, and the Agenda topic on which you will be speaking.
MAYOR COMMUNICATION
This is an opportunity for the Mayor to comment on current events, activities, and issues of interest to the community.
Call to Order
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call
This is an open meeting of the Grand Island City Council. The City of Grand Island abides by the Open Meetings Act
in conducting business. A copy of the Open Meetings Act is displayed in the back of this room as required by state
law.
The City Council may vote to go into Closed Session on any agenda item as allowed by state law.
City of Grand Island City Council
Item -1
Further Discussion of Master Plan for Veterans Home Athletic
Complex
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Study Session
City of Grand Island
Staff Contact: Steve Paustian
City of Grand Island City Council
Council Agenda Memo
From: Steve Paustian, Park and Recreation Director
Meeting: June 16, 2009
Subject: Master Plan for the Veterans Home Athletic Complex
Item #’s: 1
Presenter(s): Steve Paustian, Park and Recreation Director
Background
At the May 19th City Council Study Session a preliminary Master Plan for the proposed
Athletic Complex to be located on Veternas Home property was discussed. The
presentation included the replacement of the facilities currently located at the Fonner
Park site along with the potential development of the remaining leased site. Council
directed staff to cost out the full development of the project.
Discussion
Since the initial presentation staff has met with interested parties that would potentially
use the facility and sought their input. An open house was held along with a mailed out
questionair asking for their input. The Master Plan as presented represents our best effort
at providing a facility that will accommodate the majority of potential user
recommendations. Attachments to this memo include the revised Master Plan along with
a cost estimate.
Conclusion
This item is presented to the City Council in a Study Session to allow for any questions to
be answered and to create a greater understanding of the issue at hand.
It is the intent of City Administration to bring this issue to a future council meeting for
the formal adoption of a development plan.
Item -2
Review of Fee Schedule, FTE's and Outside Agency Funding
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Study Session
City of Grand Island
Staff Contact: David Springer
City of Grand Island City Council
Council Agenda Memo
From: Dave Springer, Finance Director
Meeting: June 16, 2009
Subject: Review 2009-2010 Fee Schedule, FTE Requests and
Funding for Outside Agencies
Item #’s: 2
Presenter(s): Dave Springer, Finance Director
Background
Historically, the City budget preparation begins in May with Department Directors
submitting their budgets in detail for review by City Administration. Knowing that 2010
was going to be a difficult budget year, departments were asked in April to trim their
current year appropriations and significant reductions were effected. Even so, personnel
costs and capital needs exert heavy pressure on the new budget. To date, the budget
process has entailed:
* Departments reviewed their current year expenditures and submitted their
2009-2010 budget requests which were then reviewed with the City Administrator
and Finance Director.
* Outside Agencies were contacted to submit their requests for next year.
* FTE requests were pared to only those that were critical or were economically
justifiable.
The Finance Department is in the process of compiling all information to complete the
budget.
Discussion
The June 16th meeting commences the first steps in approving the City’s 2009-10 budget.
This evening, our intent is to review the following schedules and requests for future
council approval:
· User Fee Schedule. Changes are highlighted.
· Personnel FTE (Full Time Equivalent) request schedule.
Firefighter and Police Officer requests are contingent upon receiving grant funding
for the first four and three years respectively. Without questioning the staffing need,
it still must be recognized that personnel additions also drive up operating costs and
the significant financial impact after the grants run out.
It is our strong belief that we are under staffed in our Emergency Management
Response center as call volume continues to increase.
The Maintenance Worker works in tandem with the Traffic Signal Technician,
meets the same qualifications and shares in the technical work.
The GIS Coordinator reflects the recognition of more complex duties than that
of a Technician, which is essentially an entry level position.
· Outside Agency requests.
What to do about funding outside agencies has been a quandary for years with no
definitive answer. While not a consensus, there was substantial sentiment from
council last year that a reduction would be in the offing, but not in one stroke. The
attached summary shows a 20% reduction in most funding levels from last year and
maintaining amounts for the Convention and Visitors Bureau and Multicultural
Coalition as they are felt to be synergetic with the City’s and Council’s goals. No
funding is shown for the Health Department as it does not appear to need city
funding since they began this year with $874K in unrestricted cash, as well as now
being a regional entity.
Also attached is a memo from Wes Nespor which Provides some funding criteria.
The Council is asked to review each of these and ask any questions that will clarify the
information. Outside Agencies have been notified of this meeting but no presentation
has been requested, as their submittals are fairly detailed. City Administration
recommendations for funding are included for guidance.
Alternatives
It appears that the Council has the following alternatives concerning the issue at hand.
The Council may:
1. Approve the recommendation for requested FTEs, Outside Agency funding, and
Fee Schedule changes for future council action.
2. Modify the request to meet the policy direction of the Council.
3. Postpone the issue to a future date.
Recommendation
City Administration recommends that the City Council review all information and
discuss related issues to allow for changes, if so determined, to reach their approval and
incorporation into the final budget.
OUTSIDE AGENCY FUNDING
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 ADMINISTRATION
ORGANIZATION FUNDED FUNDED FUNDED FUNDED REQUESTED RECOMMENDATION
Hope Harbor 4,500$ 4,500$ $4,500 $4,500 $4,500 $3,600
Convention and Visitors Bureau 10,000$ 10,000$ $10,000 $10,000 $15,000 $10,000
Council for International Visitors 1,000$ 1,000$ $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $800
Crisis Center 12,000$ 12,000$ $12,000 $12,000 $13,000 $9,600
G. I. Dive and Rescue Team - Trailer 2,000$ 2,000$ $0 $0 $0 $0
Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)10,000$ 10,000$ $10,000 $10,000 Note:$0
Senior Citizens Industries, Inc.15,000$ 15,000$ $15,000 $15,000 $15,000 $12,000
Multicultural Coalition 10,000$ 10,000$ $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000
Izaac Walton Kids Fishing Derby 2,000$ 2,000$ $2,000 $2,000 $2,000 $0
Grand Island Sports Council $100,000 $0
Central Nebraska Ethnic Festival 198$ $212 $450 $300 $300
(Temporary office space and postage)
Totals 66,500$ 66,500$ 64,712$ 64,950$ 160,800$ 46,300$
Note: The RSVP Program closed on March 31, 2009 and returned $6,667 in unspent grant monies to the City.
AGENCIES WITH WORKING RELATIONSHIPS WITH CITY DEPARTMENTS
2006 2007 2008 2008 2009 ADMINISTRATION
ORGANIZATION FUNDED FUNDED FUNDED FUNDED REQUESTED RECOMMENDATION
Central Nebraska Health Department 135,000$ 125,000$ 120,000$ 120,000$ 120,000$ $0
Clean Community Systems 20,000$ 20,000$ 20,000$ 20,000$ 20,000$ $20,000
Totals 155,000$ 145,000$ 140,000$ 140,000$ 140,000$ $20,000
TOTAL OUTSIDE AGENCIES 221,500$ 211,500$ 204,712$ 204,950$ 300,800$ 66,300$