Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/20/1991 - Workshop Minutes City Council MINUTES CI'I'Y COUNC]I, I~'~.TING PRE-BUDGET WOR]~SHOP JUNE 19-20, 1991 1.'00 P.M. Wednesday, Tune 19. 1991 Mayor. Ringer, Councilmerabers Brown, Schneider, Crouch, Birdwell, Gardner, Mcnhaney City Manager Ragland, Asst.. City Manager Brymer, .l~.ance Director Schroeder, Budget D~'ector Cryan, Utilities Officer Manager Alb.n.'ght, Energy M..a.n. ager ~Sl?ar, Public Information Officer Calliham, City Secretary Hooks Mayor Ringer called the meeting to order. Aaead~ Item No. I - lntroductioa. C..ity Manager Ragland re..mar.ked that the purpose of the meeting is to seek direction from the Council prior to the budget process. _Aae~.d~ Item No. 2 - l~cal & Budget Po_l~c~ A. Fleet/Eauipment Policy Ch..afl. es Cr~an presented .an. analysis of the fleet/equipment budget includin y · _ o g e.m.c~e re.p~a, ce~ment. He clL. s..c. ussed new proposals relating to thru item. He aa .aressea start recommen.clations. These included: l) Establish a fleet repl?ce.m.e.nt .fund; 2) Requn'e $1 r~il]~on initial funding; 3) Est.ablish transfers for each vehicle based on usage for replacement c.o. st; 4) Estabhsh a team to operate the fleet replacement fund. To accomplish these needs, the staff has looked into establishing a procedure for sales tax accrual. The council remarked that the accrual basis approach was not a~ro~riate However, the council felt the replacement fund ~tould be establisl~d. '- ' B. Fees - Demand Driven Tom Bryme. r introduced this item..C, harlie Shear presented the criteria for demand driven fees and outlined a list of possible demand driven services. The council recognized the need for demand driven fees as presented, particularly for contractor utility connections. Discussion was held by the council. City Council Budget Retreat lune 19-20, 1991 Page 2 City Manager Ragland pointed out that the staff will also review the types of services that are not covered adequately by the current cost. C. Impact Analysis Glenn Schroeder discussed the improvements that could be made to future forecasting in the general fund. He discussed the aspect of fiscal planning in its relation to financing public needs for the future. .Tom Brymer pointed out the b .e~.efits of an impact.fee analysis model. The oal ~s to forecast all relevant operation expenses, capital costs, and revenues. ~e model would be helpful in revitalizing existing areas of the city. Mr. S. chroeder pointed out that in the past, the staff has manua~y prepared a cost ~npact analysis on a case by case basis, and the benefit ora computer analysis model would allow the city to develop an impact analysis on each development project in the city. Councilman Gardner and Councilman Birdwell expressed their concerns about the impact analysis computer model and its effect on the economy. Councilman Crouch remarked that she feels this model would be a benefit if it is customized to fit our needs. Councilman Schneider stated that he approves the idea of the computer model. Councilman Brown expressed his support for the program. .Mayor Ringer stated that the model will be a very useful tool, particularlv on the ~ssues of park facilities, long term maintenance, or oversize participation~ D. Impact Analysis - Fox~e The staff discussed the conditions of the Foxfire subdivision and its impact to the City if the area were annexed. Mr. Callaway stated that :~f the. Fox,r_ e property owners would like to obtain city assistance for water serwce, then the property owners would need to initiate the request by submitting a petition for annexation. Charles Cryan presented the fiscal impact if the Foxfire subdivision was annexed into the city. The council discussed the possible Foxfire annexation. E. Impact Fees dTeOm Bryr~. er. pr.esented ~ item. He pointed out that ~e impagt analysis is a c~sive rector m consiciering impact fees. He defined unpact fees as the City Council Budget Retreat Page 3 June 19-20, 1991 charges which are made a~.ainst new development to regain capital improve- ment costs that are necessitated by the development. Further discussion was held by the Council. _Aaend~ Item No. 3 - Pay for Perfmms.,tce Pisa. Personnel Director Karen Pavlinski briefed the council on the highlights of the city's pay plan..She propo.s.ed in the upcoming budget year, adjustments to the pay grade scale ut the Public Safety family and Maintenance/Trades family, three percent and two percent, respectively. Councilman Brown emphasized his frustrations about the current pay system. He added that he would like to see alternative pay plans. Ms. Pavlinski explained the evaluation form. Councilman Birdwell presented salary data from the Social Security office. After continued discussion, Mayor Ringer adjourned the meeting at 6:00 p.m. 'l'hu.,'sd~_v. Tune 20. 1991 Mayor Ringer opened the meeting at 1:30 p.m. _Aaenck Item No. 1 - Communlcatkms ~ Tom Brymer conveyed information to the. council about items that the staff sees on the horiz..on as a future need for the city, commtmications is one of these goals. He discussed the current communicationn sys!ems in the 3 city; radio sy~t. em_s, landline syste .n~., SC~..A. syst.e.m, and Ca~.ling AS400/NC~. Mr. Brymer poutted out problems which ex~st in radio commumcations. Mr. Brymer asked council to consider a planned, multi-year approach to meet future communication needs. C!ty.M..anager .1.~.. gland pointed out that the issues of comparability and eliminating duplication throughout the city is important. The council agreed that the communications system is important and the staff should continue in a unified approach. _Aaend~ Item No. 2 - l~tes ~nd A. Utility Rates 1E~t~lrgy.,.Manag.er Charlie Shear introduce, d this item. Bruce Albright presented utility anci property tax rate comparisons to other cities of similar size. City Council Budget Retreat Page 4 June 19-20, 1991 Mr. Jim McCord of McCord Engineering addressed the council. He presented an historical data summary of rate design, the current rate design position, and future rate design proposals. Mr. McCord stated that the proposed utility rate revisions for FY 1991-92 are anticipated to increase 10% in sewer rates and decrease 4.6% in electric rates. He recommended that the water rate increase of 10% be eliminated at this time. Mr. McCord pointed out the ..e. stimated annual average savin, gs in wholesale energy, purchases from .transition to TMPA, approximately $2,200,000. He :~o noted the potential electric system program attributed to 40% share of savings for initial year. The council discussed the implementation of proposed rate revisions. The council agreed that .the rates.be phased in October 1, 1991. The council asked staff to look at two tier metering. i~ruce Albright pres. ented data on the possible revision to the late payment fee. e stated that this ~ssue transpired from a council concern regarding the 10% late payment fee on the utility bill. The council concurred that the impact of the 5% fee revision would not be significant. Mr. McCord discussed future utility rate issues. Included in the issues is the concept of fiat rate billing in comparison to current step rate billing for electric rates. B. Transfer Policy Glenn Schroeder rli-~cussed the administrative transfer polic~, specifically the transfer of funds from the utilit[, fund to the general fund. i~r'. Schroeder presented areas of transfer in]leu of to the general fund. Acmnda Item No. 2 - Medical Insurance Fund Glenn Schroeder discussed the current status of the Insurance Fund. He stated that the city has several significant claims. Mayor Ringer expressed concern about the dependent coverage rates. _Aaenda Item No. 3 - Adjourn. Mayor Ringer adjourned the meeting at 4:45 p.m.