HomeMy WebLinkAboutt - October 19, 2012 COW
SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
October 19, 2012
The Special Committee of the Whole meeting was called to order by Mayor Kaptain at 6:30 p.m.
in the Heritage Ballroom of the Centre. Present: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Moeller,
Powell, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Absent: None.
Introductory Comments – Mayor Kaptain
Mayor Kaptain provided opening remarks regarding the budget process. He noted that last year
the city was able to maintain services and deal with the operating structural deficit. This year he
hopes to address the capital structural deficit and as well as the aging infrastructure within the
city.
He also recognized the change in the staff’s budget philosophy and the hard work that is put into
creating the budget. Finally, he noted that this would be the third year with a reduction of the
city’s portion of the property tax.
Overview
City Manager Stegall stated that the proposed budget would be available on November 2nd and it
had a lower property tax and no additional fees or taxes. At this meeting the council would be
provided with current revenue information and consider the next phase of the 311 initiative, as
well as a water and sewer rate study.
Consideration of Agreements with Unisys, Inc., Salesforce.com and Stern Consulting to
Complete Phase IV of the 311 Initiative and Begin Phase V
City Manager Sean Stegall and Management Analyst Dan Ault provided an update on the next
phases of the 311 Initiative. A copy of the presentation is on file with the City Clerk’s office.
There was discussion regarding the concept of a rapid response team, including the make-up and
responsibilities of the team. Also discussed was the program’s ability to capture data and
interface with current software, the ability to create apps and the smart device interface.
Councilmember Dunne made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Gilliam, to approve
agreements with Unisys, Inc., Salesforce.com and Stern Consulting to complete Phase IV of the
311 initiative and begin Phase V in the amount of $331,000. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas:
Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays:
None.
Committee of the Whole
October 19, 2012
Page 2
Update on 2012 Financial Position
Assistant City Manager Rick Kozal and Chief Financial Officer Colleen Lavery provided a mid-
year financial report. A copy of the presentation is on file with the City Clerk’s office.
Ms. Lavery reviewed the different revenue streams and provided preliminary data on the gas and
liquor taxes that began in July. Also presented and discussed were the sales and
telecommunication taxes, the general, riverboat, capital improvements, and TIF (Tax Increment
Financing) funds. There was discussion regarding enforcement of the liquor tax, the impact of
electrical aggregation and the decrease in property tax for the third year.
Mr. Kozal provided an overview of staff’s recommendations for the 2013 budget and asked for
the Council’s input on these items. Items for review included infrastructure improvements,
bridge replacements, combined sewer separation, and vehicle replacements.
Strategic Initiatives and the 2012 Budget and 2013-2017 Financial Plan
City Manager Stegall provided an overview of the strategic initiatives and their relationship to
the budget process. Items of discussion included TIF funds, the status of the Hemmens Cultural
Center, and the special events calendar.
Consideration of a Contract with Strand & Associates for a Water and Sewer Rate and
Stormwater Development Study
Kyla Jacobsen, Water Director, and Mark K. Shubak, P.E., Strand & Associates, provided an
overview and timeline of the water and sewer rate and stormwater development study. A copy
of the presentation is on file with the City Clerk’s office. Ms. Jacobsen reviewed the current
system for how water and sewer rates were determined. Mr. Shubak explained what an
Equivalent Runoff Unit (ERU) was and how it was determined.
There was discussion regarding when the last rate study was done and what other communities
have done with regards to stormwater. There were concerns about what was to be included in
the study and how to handle stormwater utility development.
Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Powell, to approve the
contract with Strand & Associates for a water and sewer rate and stormwater development study
in an amount of $288,150. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam,
Moeller, Powell, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: Councilmember Prigge .
Committee of the Whole
October 19, 2012
Page 3
Budget Process Next Steps
City Manager Stegall outlined the next steps in the budget process highlighting the meeting dates
and the communication plan to notify residents of the budget process.
Adjournment
Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Dunne, to adjourn the
meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Moeller, Powell,
Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
s/ Kimberly Dewis November 7, 2012
Kimberly Dewis, City Clerk Date Approved