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HomeMy WebLinkAbouti - May 7, 2016 COW special SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING May 7, 2016 The special Committee of the Whole meeting was called to order by Mayor Kaptain at 9:00 a.m. in the Council Chambers. Present: Councilmembers Dunne, Gavin, Martinez, Powell (9:09 a.m.), Prigge, Rauschenberger (9:06 a.m.), Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Absent: None. City Manager Stegall provided opening comments regarding the format of the meeting. He noted that the purpose was to ensure accountability in achieving strategic goals as they were approved by the city council. Topics to be reviewed included a budget update, Code 2.0, Not-for- Profit (NFP) funding, and procedures to establish a Special Service Area. NFP (Not-for-Profit) Funding Mayor Kaptain provided a review of the issues facing the local not-for-profit agencies and the efforts that have been made to assist them in serving their clients. The various agencies have needs in the areas of marketing, accounting, and information technology. Laura Valdez Wilson, Management Analyst, outlined the information that has been gathered to date regarding the status of the not-for-profit agencies. She described the potential of a centralized information technology system and a universal grant application form. There was discussion regarding potential costs, contributing volunteer time, the level of the city’s involvement, and next steps in this process. Code 2.0 Update Marc Mylott, Community Development Director made a presentation on the upcoming changes to the Code department and community interactions. He outlined the shift to compliance from enforcement and described the “Code Academy” program. A copy of the presentation is on file in the City Clerk’s office. There was discussion regarding how these changes would help to bring together technology and neighborhood collaboration to promote a safe and healthy community. Also discussed was the training and education for code compliance staff, how the changes would be communicated to residents, and resources for residents that need assistance to achieve compliance. Councilmember Gavin made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Powell, to move forward with developing the Code Academy and other proposed code compliance policies for a trial period. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gavin, Martinez, Prigge, Powell, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Committee of the Whole May 7, 2016 Page 2 The Council held a brief recess from 10:25 a.m. – 10:36a.m. Budget Update Rick Kozal, Assistant City Manager, provided a presentation on the city’s budget and the impact the state budget crisis. A copy of the presentation is on file in the City Clerk’s office. Mr. Kozal reviewed of the different fund types and the restrictions of various funds. He also provided a review of the general fund and various areas that could be identified as discretionary spending within the general fund. Areas identified as discretionary expenditures in the general fund included items such as training, dues, conferences, tuition, transportation, contractual services, and boards and commissions. Contractual services included such items as: Police Explorers, Hazardous Waste Curb Side Pickup, Concerts in the Park, Fox Trot, economic development reports, newsletters, lobbyist’s services and the Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA). The total amount for these discretionary items is $1,997,300 or 1.65 % of the General Fund Expenditure Budget. The General Fund State Revenue streams include Local Governmental Distributive Fund (LGDF), Motor Fuel Tax (MFT), State Sales Tax Sharing and Personal Property Replacement Tax. These areas make up approximately 28% of the General Fund Revenue Budget. One scenario for potential cuts from a state revenue source is the Local Governmental Distributive Fund (LGDF). These reduction scenarios ranged from 15 % or an estimated $1,875,000 to 20% or an estimated $2,500,000. There was discussion regarding potential impacts on core services and other areas that could be considered discretionary spending. Procedures to Establish a Special Service Area Corporation Counsel Cogley reviewed the legal frame work and the city council’s role in establishing a special service area. He explained how the area is defined and how the boundary is drawn. The steps to establish the special service area include the application, ordinances proposing and establishing the area, notices and public hearings, issuance of bonds and extension of a tax levy. There was discussion on what entity completes the application, how foreclosed, church and government properties are handled, how many votes are allowed per parcel, the objection procedure, and the level of support from the impacted property owners. Committee of the Whole May 7, 2016 Page 3 Councilmember Shaw moved, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to ensure that there was 51% support from the affected property owners. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gavin, Martinez, Prigge, Powell, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Adjournment Councilmember Shaw moved, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to adjourn. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gavin, Martinez, Prigge, Powell, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. The meeting adjourned at 11:58 p.m. s/ Kimberly Dewis May 25, 2016 Kimberly Dewis, City Clerk Date Approved