08/03/2010 MinutesCITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL BUDGET MEETING
August 3, 2010
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a Regular 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, on August 3, 2010. Notice of the meeting was given in The Grand Island Independent on
July 28, 2010.
Mayor Hornady called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following City Council members
were present: Councilmember's Meyer, Niemann, Gilbert, Haase, Carney, Dugan, Ramsey,
Zapata, Nickerson, and Gericke. The following City Officials were present: City Administrator
Jeff Pederson, City Clerk RaNae Edwards, Finance Director Mary Lou Brown, City Attorney
Dale Shotkoski, and Public Works Director Steve Riehle.
INVOCATION was given by Mayor Hornady followed by the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
MAYOR COMMUNICATION: Mayor Hornady introduced Community Youth Council
members Ava Mackey and Tyler Barrientos. The Mayor mentioned that we would go until 9:30
p.m. unless the council wanted to go longer.
Motion by Nickerson, second by Dugan to reverse the order as presented on the agenda and
move the CRA Public Hearing before the Public Hearing for the City Budget. Upon roll call
vote, all voted aye. Motion adopted.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Public Hearing on Community Redevelopment Authority (CRA) Budget. Chad Nabity, Regional
Planning Director presented the CRA 2010-2011 Annual Budget. Presented was a PowerPoint
presentation explaining the CRA programs and functions. The following budget highlights were
presented: 1) $100,000 to purchase dilapidated properties/infrastructure 2) $150,000 for facade
development and 3) $800,000 for other projects. Total CRA request was $425,000 for 2009-2010
which was down from $475,000 requested in 2008-2009.
Motion by Carney, second by Niemann to approve the Community Redevelopment Authority
(CRA) Budget. Motion was withdrawn.
Discussion was held regarding the action to be taken on this item. It was decided that no action
could be taken as only the Public Hearing was on the agenda.
Motion by Haase, second Carney to add this item to tonight's agenda. Upon roll call vote,
Councilmember's Niemann, Haase, and Carney voted aye. Councilmember's Meyer, Gilbert,
Dugan, Ramsey, Zapata, Nickerson, and Gericke voted no. Motion failed.
Motion by Gilbert, second by Nickerson to move Item E-2 to Thursday, August 5, 2010 at 7:00
p.m. Upon roll call vote, all voted aye. Motion adopted.
Page 2, City Council Budget Meeting, August 3, & 5, 2010
Public Hearing on Proposed FY 2010-2011 City Sin lg e Budget. Mary Lou Brown, Finance
Director reported that Council needed to conduct a public hearing to take information from the
citizens of Grand Island on the proposed FY 2010-2011 City Single Budget. Adoption of the
budget and lid limit increase was needed by Council no later than September 7, 2010. This year
marked the formal implementation of Program Prioritization which provided the framework
within which budget allocations were driven and decisions made.
The following people spoke with regards to the Proposed FY 2010-2011 City Single Budget:
• David McCarthy, 1812 West John Street -supported maintenance and garbage pick up in
the alleys
• Paul Wicht, 936 So. Kimball -suggested keeping the 30 employees scheduled for cutting
and getting rid of the newly hired assistant city attorney, engineer, and city administrator
• Jerry Lueth, 4252 Nevada Avenue -suggested doing away with the 5 code inspectors and
community service officers. Also mentioned going to a volunteer Fire Department
• Lewis Kent, 624 E. Meves -supported garbage pick up in the allies
No further public testimony was heard.
Review of Proposed FY 2010/2011 City Sin le~Budg_et. Jeff Pederson, City Administrator
commented on the city budget with a change to Program Prioritization. Mr. Pederson stated the
budget brought forward for Council's approval was a balanced budget with no increase in the tax
levy. The process of Program Prioritization was explained. Mentioned was that the Department
Director's were directed to cut $1.8 million for the 2010/2011 Budget from the previous years
budget.
Finance Director Mary Lou Brown commented on the background of the 2010 approved budget
and how the numbers fit. The new process was a learning experience. The budget submitted
would show the personnel services and operating expenses which was different from last year.
Discussion was held on the process of the budget discussion which was different than last year.
Mayor Hornady stated she would like to have motions for any changes so staff would have
direction on how to proceed with the final budget. Councilmember Haase suggested that all
changes be written down and brought back to Council for a final vote.
The following questions were brought forward in each quartile:
QUARTILE 1 PROGRAMS:
Responsive Patrol:
Q: Is there any study or data that suggest optimum number of officers for a given population
size? Is there data that demonstrated the impact that officers have on crime rates (e.g. for each
officer added to a police force the crime rate typically drops by XX%)? I would like to see the
basic crime data for previous year compared to current year, such as # of violent crimes last year
vs. this year.
A: The Department has realigned and reassigned resources from other programs to enhance
our ability to address needs in the Responsive Patrol program. We are planning additional
realignment and scheduling changes that will provide additional resources to this program.
Page 3, City Council Budget Meeting, August 3, & 5, 2010
Police Chief Steve Lamken answered questions concerning the number of officers, proactive
policing, and dealing with problem areas with the number of officers on the street. Mr. Pederson
answered questions concerning the four Police Officer's positions open from last years budget.
The total number of FTE reduction in the Police Department budget for 2010/2011 was 11.
Discussion was held regarding the importance of Public Safety.
Motion by Haase, second by Carney to add back the four Police Officer's positions in the budget
and offset it with a reduction of two employees in the Human Resources Department and two
employees in the Finance Department. Upon roll call, Councilmember Haase voted aye.
Councilmember's Gericke, Nickerson, Zapata, Ramsey, Dugan, Carney, Gilbert, Niemann, and
Meyer voted no. Motion failed.
Chief Lamken answered questions concerning the support staff and work load.
Plumbin~LInspections -all plumbing_
Q: Why do demolition costs impact the plumbing inspection program?
A: No material impact.
Emergency Communications/911:
Q: The original question was regarding an increase in personnel services dollar and a
decrease in FTE. The personnel services number has been corrected.
A: One FTE has been moved from the General Fund to the E911 Landline Fund to maintain
this program. Operational expense reductions should have no material impact on the program.
Emergency Management Director Jon Rosenlund answered questions regarding the operating
expense funds and FTE's.
Collections:
Q: Why is there an increase in the personnel services cost?
A: No material impact.
Union contract increases, step increases and healthcare costs were mentioned. Collection activity
was discussed as it related to outsourcing this program.
Emergency Response to Medical Emer eg ncies:
Q: What changes will occur in this program with the proposed union contract change?
A: Two firefighter Emt-B positions are being eliminated. A slight increase in this program
cost is due to a 2% wage increase factor being built in to account for the unknown financial
impact of union negotiations. If union negotiations result in a zero financial impact, no FTE
reductions would need to occur.
State Fire Marshal Delegated Authority:
Q: Why are the FTE declining and the personnel services costs increasing?
A: Minimal impact to this program. This program is primarily supported only by the efforts
of the Fire Division Chief in charge of our Life Safety Division. Rarely do other GIFD
employees outside the division chief and administrative assistant work within this program.
Page 4, City Council Budget Meeting, August 3, & 5, 2010
Fire Chief Troy Hughes explained the FTE numbers and grant funds.
Prosecution of City Code Violations:
Q: What drives the increase in operating expense?
A: The increase of Police activity increases the cost of prosecution.
Review of Proposed Developments:
Q: Are expenses decreasing in addition to increases in the fee schedule? Is there a
recommendation on the towers?
A: FTE reductions are due to more accurately billing time for the planning secretary's time
to CRA. Operating expenses have been adjusted downward where possible and new equipment
will not be purchased. There are no fees associated with this stage of the process. This activity
occurs on an as needed basis and often does not result in anything other than providing answers
to a citizen's what if questions.
Regional Planning Director Chad Nabity answered questions concerning increases to the fee
schedule. Mentioned were time frames for applications and staff time to complete them. Tower
fees and regulations were discussed. Mr. Nabity stated this item would come before Council
sometime in October.
Council recessed at 8:50 p.m.
Council resumed at 9:00 p.m.
Snow Removal & Ice Control (both City and contractor provided
Q: Discuss the impacts of this program change more thoroughly.
A: Contracted snow removal is eliminated. Ice control and emergency snow route plowing
are not affected. Residential snow removal will take an estimated 4 to 5 hours longer. The
$50,000 snow removal contingency fund is still available only if needed.
Discussion was held concerning the $50,000 contingency fund. Public Works Director Steve
Riehle commented on the numbers in the proposed budget. Comments were made by Council
with regards to the change in service and personnel costs.
QUARTILE 2 PROGRAMS:
Daily Administration of Benefit Plans:
Q: Discuss the shift in EAP dollars.
A: The most significant reason for change in this area is due to moving the expense for EAP
services to the general insurance fund. This is a citywide benefit and it is more appropriately
handled there.
The General Fund reserve was mentioned to cover this cost. This was a reallocation within the
budget. Personnel services were discussed along with automation. Human Resources Director
Brenda Sutherland commented on the services provided by the HR Department which required a
personal touch and probably should not be automated.
Page 5, City Council Budget Meeting, August 3, & 5, 2010
Maintenance for Four Wadin Pg Dols:
Q: Wading pools must be clean -describe the impact of this program change more
thoroughly.
A: Reduced FTE will increase the percentage of time dedicated to maintenance and impact
the number of hours the pools are available to the public.
Park and Recreation Director Steve Paustian explained the maintenance process for each of the
wading pools. Two of the four pools would be in operation at any one time. The pool hours
would be reduced. Mr. Paustian explained the cuts in FTE's of 4.93 in the current Parks
programs to make up the proposed 3.79 FTE's for the new Fieldhouse. Discussion was held
regarding the hours of operation for each pool. Comments were made from Council to continue
the current service of the wading pools.
Sports Field Management/Maintenance:
Q: Explain where FTE is moving from to create the staffing for the new fieldhouse.
A: No visible impact.
Community Fieldhouse:
Q: Explain where FTE is moving from to create the staffing for the new fieldhouse.
A: New operation.
Shotgun Sports:
Q: What can we do to offset the dollar loss at the shooting park and should we make this an
enterprise fund?
A: No visible impact.
Discussion was held on statistics and donated funds to the shooting park.
Motion by Meyer, second by Dugan to schedule a Study Session for setting a policy on subsidy
for Heartland Public Shooting Park projects. Upon roll call vote, Councilmember's Gericke,
Nickerson, Ramsey, Dugan, Carney, Haase, Gilbert, Niemann, and Meyer voted aye.
Councilmember Zapata voted no. Motion adopted.
Proactive Patrol:
Q: Is there any study or data that suggest optimum number of officers for a given population
size? Is there data that demonstrated the impact that officers have on crime rates (e.g. for each
officer added to a police force the crime rate typically drops by XX%)? I would like to see the
basic crime data for previous year compared to current year, such as # of violent crimes last year
vs. this year.
A: There will be no significant changes to the resources dedicated to proactive patrol. The
additional resources shown in this program are offset by the elimination of the Patrol Support
Program. The resources of the Patrol Support program were vested in proactive patrol. The
Department will be implementing changes in assignments and scheduling in the Patrol Division
which we hope will enhance the Proactive Patrol program.
Traffic Control -Signals, Signs and Pavement Markings:
Q: The program impacts identified would appear to drive more cost savings than what has
been identified.
Page 6, City Council Budget Meeting, August 3, & 5, 2010
A: Three traffic signal controller cabinets now over 25 years old will not be replaced. With
no summer hires available, pavement markings that are now painted twice per year will only be
painted once.
Public Works Director Steve Riehle commented on the reduction in painting pavement markings.
Traffic signal controller cabinets were discussed.
Motion by Gilbert, second by Ramsey to fix the time to which to adjourn to Thursday, August 5,
2010 at 7:00 p.m. Upon roll call vote, all voted aye. Motion adopted.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 10:10 p.m.
~~ ~~.
RaNae Edwards
City Clerk