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08/08/2000 Minutes I I I OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING August 8, 2000 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a Special Meeting of the City Council of the City of Grand Island, Nebraska, was conducted in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 100 East First Street, Grand Island, Nebraska. Notice ofthe meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on August 2, 2000. Mayor Gnadt called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. The following members were present: Mayor Gnadt, Councilmembers Larson, Pielstick, Hosier, Seifert, Preisendorf, Whitesides, Ward, Samuelson, Murray and Sorensen. The following City Officials were present: City Administrator Marlan Ferguson, City Clerk RaNae Edwards, Finance Director David Springer, City Attorney Charlie Cuypers and Public Works Director Steve Riehle. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS: Betty Curtis, Director of the Clean Community System, presented the City of Grand Island with a first-place plaque from Keep Nebraska Beautiful. RESOLUTIONS: #2000-225 - Consideration of Solid Waste Fee Schedule: Steve Reihle, Public Works Director, reported that the Solid Waste Division fees had been omitted from the fee schedule that was adopted at the July 11, 2000 Council meeting for further study. After further review, it is recommended that the cubic yard fee schedule be adopted. RaN ae Edwards, City Clerk, noted that it had been brought to her attention that the Bingo License fee of$1O.50 should be $10.00 as this fee was set by the State. Motion by Murray, second by Larson to approve Resolution #2000- 225 establishing the Solid Waste Fee schedule, with the amendment to the Bingo License fee from $10.50 to $10.00. Upon roll call vote, Larson, Pielstick, Hosier, Seifert, Preisendorf, Whitesides, Ward, Samuelson, and Murray voted aye. Sorensen voted nay. Motion adopted. #2000-226 - Consideration of Modification to Employee Health Insurance Benefit Package. Marlan Ferguson, City Administrator, presented the Employee Health Insurance Benefit Package and introduced Cal Strong, Insurance Agent for Strong Financial Services. Mr. Strong reported that a change from to the co pay prescription drug card relative to a three tier system versus the two tier system which was now in effect was proposed. Questions were answered regarding different types of drugs and what was covered. Cal Strong explained modifications to the plan relative to early termination of a pregnancy. Motion by Seifert, second by Preisendorf, to approve Resolution #2000-226. Motion carried unanimously. I I I Page 2, City Council Special Meeting, August 8, 2000 ORDINANCES: #8606 - Approving Salary Ordinance Motion by Samuelson, second by Seifert to pass Ordinance No. 8606 on third and final reading. City Clerk, RaNae Edwards, read Salary Ordinance No. 8606 by title. Upon roll call vote, Larson, Hosier, Preisendorf, Whitesides Ward, Samuelson, Murray and Sorensen voted aye. Pielstick and Seifert voted nay. Motion adopted. PUBLIC HEARING: Public Hearing on Proposed 2000-2001 City Single Budget: MarIan Ferguson, City Administrator, reported that State law required a public hearing on the proposed City Single Budget and noted that a preliminary hearing had been held on June 13, 2000, prior to the development of the budget. No public testimony was heard. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 6:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Oc-\\OL U2w~ RaN ae Edwards City Clerk I I I OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION (BUDGET WORK SESSION) August 8, 2000 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a Study Session (Budget Work 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, Grand Island, Nebraska. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on August 3, 2000. Mayor Gnadt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following members were present: Mayor Gnadt, Councilmembers Larson, Pielstick, Hosier, Seifert, Preisendorf, Whitesides, Ward, Samuelson, Murray and Sorensen. The following City Officials were present: City Administrator Marian Ferguson, City Clerk RaNae Edwards, Finance Director David Springer, City Attorney Charlie Cuypers and Public Works Director Steve Riehle. OPENING COMMENTS OF PROPOSED FY2000-2001 ANNUAL BUDGET: MarIan Ferguson, City Administrator presented opening comments relative to the Proposed 2000-2001 City Single Annual Budget. Public safety was mentioned as a focus of the last 12 months. An overview of the Parks and Recreation projects was given. Reported was the reorganization of several City offices had been completed which would provide increased efficiencies. Quality services in the Utility Department were commended with no increase in rates. OVERVIEW OF BUDGETING PROCESS: Marian Ferguson, City Administrator, stated that the total budget proposed for FY2000-2001 was $104,117,381 which included all funds and that the general fund operation was status quo. Mr. Ferguson reported that personnel costs were a major part of the budget and cost of living increases were provided for along with changes in health insurance co-pay. A co-pay of 12% family and 8% single is requested to offset the rising health costs. It was stated that the Health Department budget was requesting a 2% decrease. The proposed mill levy for FY2000-2001 was .376971 compared to .370231 for FYI999-2000, for a difference of .006740 per $100.00 valuation. Paul Mueller, Accounting Manager, explained the revenue expenditures, reserves, operating cash analysis and capital expenditure history and future requests. Explained were the differences in revenues from what was budgeted last year and what was actually received. Councilmemeber Seifert asked about the $12 million in reserve. Paul explained 33 to 35% (3 months) in reserve is good fiscal planning in case of an emergency. I I I Page 2, City Council Study Session, (Budget Work Session) August 8, 2000 David Springer, Finance Director, reviewed the cash balances. It was projected to lower the cash balances and reserves for the next fiscal year. POLICE DEPARTMENT BUDGET REQUEST: Kyle Hetrick, Police Chief, presented the Police Department budget request. The addition of Community Service Officers who are unsworn police personnel was requested to relieve the Police Officers of duties not requiring arrest authority. Councilmember Murray asked about the Special Revenue Funds relating to grant money for additional police officers. Chief Hetrick stated that the Federal COPS Grant will be turned down, due to the failure of the Y2 cent sales tax initiative. Ten grant positions are now funded under the COPS MORE Program, of which the City will have to fund 100% within the next three years. PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT BUDGET REQUEST: Steve Paustian, Parks and Recreation Director presented the Parks and Recreation budget request. It was explained that there was little change from last year. Capital Improvements were discussed relating to the Parks and Recreation Department. New items which were requested were the Shoemaker HikeIBike Trail which was contingent upon a grant and a Skateboard Park. Sean Hansen, 4252 West 13th Street, spoke in support of the Skateboard Park. Councilmember Murray asked if there was money in the budget for a Skateboard Park and where it would be located. Mr. Paustian mentioned that CRA funds could help fund the proposed request with the location on the west side of Pier Park. Councilmembers Seifert and Sorensen voiced concerns that this was a new item in the budget and that the old priorities had not been taken care of. They would like to see improvements in the existing parks. Councilmember Murray asked about replacement of equipment. Steve stated that they were behind in this area, but were better than they have been. Councilmember Pielstick asked about liability at the Skateboard Park. Steve explained the intent would be to skate at your own risk. It would be no different than other areas within the City where there was no entry fee. Councilmember Ward noted the number of teenagers who were not being served. Chief Hetrick commented on the Public Safety issue that would be a benefit for the community with regards to the Skateboard Park. Councilmember Murray asked about the Zoo regarding a time line from the ZooPlan Consultants. The report was just about complete. Councilmember Samuelson commented about the parks and asked about the acres that we have and is there enough staff to care for this. Mr. Paustian stated that there is approximately 370 acres and was concerned about the care for all properties. Additional staff may be needed to do the job right. Councilmember Ward asked about increasing the greenhouses in Grand Island. It is the intent to use the $300,000 budgeted for maintenance building line item to construct a second greenhouse. The Stolley House was discussed of which $75,000 is budgeted for this purpose. Mayor Ken Gnadt commented on the future plans for the Stolley House. Councilmember Seifert asked that the City Clerk read an e-mail from Mike Yost and a letter from Char Kruse representing the Westridge Parent Action Team in support of parking at George Park. Councilmember Ward commented in support of this parking area. Councilmember I I I Page 3, City Council Study Session, (Budget Work Session) August 8, 2000 Whitesides would like to see some cost figures related to parking at George Park and bathroom renovation. Funds had been budgeted for these items. MarIan Ferguson, City Administrator, commented on how to proceed with regards to the Skateboard Park. Cindy Johnson, Community Projects Director, explained that the Council could make recommendations and that Finance could keep a running listing of the changes which could then be discussed individually at the end of the budget presentations. Councilmember Preisendorf absent at 8:45 p.m. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT BUDGET REQUST: Steve Riehle, Public Works Director, reviewed the highlights of the Public Works Department, including the GIS System, South Locust Projects, and the Wood River Floodway. Streets and Transportation Division was covered regarding street sweepers and fixing cracks in the streets. Councilmember Sorensen asked whether the gas prices had affected the Public Works budget. Steve Riehle stated that it had affected the budget for gasoline which was up 22% but that the budget line item for diesel fuel was down because snow removal was down due to a mild winter. Explained was that gas tax revenue was budgeted at the same rate that is expected to be spent. Councilmember Ward asked whether we were responsible for the traffic signals on Highway 281. Mr. Riehle explained that the State of Nebraska and the City were both responsible. Solid Waste was reviewed regarding the landfill and transfer station. It was mentioned that the landfill was self-supporting and was not supported by tax dollars. It was noted that $55,000 was proposed to be transferred from the General Fund for the "Free Week". Also budgeted was $166,721 which was required by the State for the Closure/Post closure for the landfill. There are approximately 90 years of landfill space at the current site. The Wastewater Utility budget was discussed. It was explained that this was an enterprise fund which was not funded by tax dollars. Modifications would be started on the Wastewater Treatment Plant and several Sanitary Sewer Districts had been requested which represent the increase in the budget. Councilmember Ward confirmed there was money budgeted for odor control. Central Garage budget was reviewed. It was explained that this budget was a $14,000 decrease over last year. Reviewed were Capital Improvement projects for fiscal year 2000-2001. Councilmember Murray questioned the bonded street project relative to Independence A venue as there was some concerns by Council. Mr. Riehle suggested that this line item could be moved to line item titled Northwest Transportation. Councilmember Pielstick complemented Mr. Riehle on lowering the budget. I I I Page 4, City Council Study Session, (Budget Work Session) August 8, 2000 ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Qcf\cu.. tQLV~ RaNae Edwards City Clerk