HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Special Meeting of the Ames City Council 02/02/2001MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING
OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL
AMES, IOWA FEBRUARY 2, 2001
The Ames City Council met in special session at 1:15 p.m. on Friday, February 2, 2001, in the
Council Chambers in the City Hall, 515 Clark Avenue, pursuant to law with Mayor Tedesco
presiding and the following Council members present: Campbell, Goodhue, Hoffman, and Wirth.
Council Members Cross and Quirmbach were absent.
FY 2001/02 BUDGET OVERVIEW: City Manager Steve Schainker advised that the recommended
2001/02 budget contains no rate increases for the Electric Utility, Water Utility, Sanitary Sewer
Utility, Storm Water Utility, or Resource Recovery Utility. He reported that the recommended
budget reflects a $.25 decrease in the overall tax levy from $9.61/$1,000 of taxable valuation in
2000/01 to $9.36/$1,000 of taxable valuation in 2001/02, or a 2.59% decrease in the overall tax
rate.
Mr. Schainker briefed the Council that the General Assembly is once again considering a
property tax limitation bill that would place arbitrary limits on the amount of tax revenues that
can be generated, even in the face of new growth. He said that if passed, this proposed legislation
will require us to cut approximately $1,200,000 from the proposed 2001/02 budget. In Mr.
Schainker’s opinion, if this legislation becomes law, it will greatly jeopardize the financial
welfare of our City and substantially curtail our ability to meet the service level needs and
expectations of our citizens. He hopes that the City Council and the citizenry will contact the
state legislators and express their opposition to the property tax limitation bill. Mayor Tedesco
gave an update on this proposed legislation (House File 4).
City Manager Steve Schainker, Finance Director Duane Pitcher, and Budget Officer Carol
Collings reviewed the documents contained in the budget packet as distributed to the City
Council. Discussions took place regarding the overall financial condition of the City and the
larger fund summaries.
Mr. Schainker stated that he is proposing the following additions to the current-year budget: (1)
to the Electric fund: $100,000 to work with outside consulting firm to test for dioxins; (2) to the
Sanitary Sewer fund: implement a surface water monitoring system (to be done by City staff);
to the Water fund: $25,000 to start water-quality testing at Hallett’s Quarry in an effort to
establish base-line data.
As requested, a memo from Mr. Schainker identifying the amount of monies that the City
currently provides for cultural programs/arts was distributed to the Council.
ADJOURNMENT: 3:10 p.m.
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MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING
OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL
AMES, IOWA FEBRUARY 6, 2001
The Ames City Council met in special session at 5:15 p.m. on Tuesday, February 6, 2001, in the
Council Chambers in the City Hall, 515 Clark Avenue, pursuant to law with Mayor Tedesco
presiding and the following Council members present: Campbell, Cross, Goodhue, Hoffman,
Quirmbach, and Wirth.
FY 2001/02 BUDGET PROPOSALS: Moved by Quirmbach, seconded by Hoffman, to approve
the proposed FY 2001/02 budget. (Vote will be taken on Tuesday, February 13, 2001.)
The Council heard the report on and discussed the proposed budget for Library Operations. Fred
Brown, Chairperson of the Library Board of Trustees, thanked the City Council for their support
of the Library.
Budget reports were also given on the Public Safety Program, which included Traffic Control;
Utilities Program, which included Resource Recovery, Water Distribution Maintenance, Storm
Sewer Maintenance, and Sanitary Sewer Maintenance; Transportation Program, which included
the Street System, Parking Operation, and the Airport; and Public Works Administration,
Engineering, Public Buildings, and Cemetery.
ADJOURNMENT: 7:05 p.m.
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MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING
OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL
AMES, IOWA FEBRUARY 7, 2001
The Ames City Council met in special session at 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday, February 7, 2001, in the
Council Chambers in the City Hall, 515 Clark Avenue, pursuant to law with Mayor Tedesco
presiding and the following Council members present: Campbell, Cross, Hoffman, and Wirth.
Council Member Quirmbach arrived at 5:23 p.m. Council Member Goodhue was absent.
FY 2001/02 BUDGET PROPOSALS: The Council heard and discussed highlights of the
Community Enrichment Program, which included Recreational Opportunities and Parks; the Public
Safety Program, which included Law Enforcement Activities and Fire Safety Activities.
Moved by Campbell, seconded by Hoffman, to direct staff to obtain information on how other
cities differentiate between residents and non-residents regarding fees paid for Parks and
Recreation programs.
Vote on Motion: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
The meeting recessed at 6:50 p.m. and reconvened at 6:56 p.m.
Highlights were given for the Utilities Program, which included Water Production, Wastewater
Treatment, and Electric Utility.
COMMENTS: Moved by Hoffman, seconded by Quirmbach, to refer to staff a request for a sign
on Elwood Drive (where you turn into Green Hills) to indicate that is how you access Hamilton
Drive.
Vote on Motion: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT: 7:58 p.m.
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MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING
OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL
AMES, IOWA FEBRUARY 8, 2001
The Ames City Council met in special session at 5:15 p.m. on Thursday, February 8, 2001, in the
Council Chambers in the City Hall, 515 Clark Avenue, pursuant to law with Mayor Tedesco
presiding and the following Council members present: Campbell, Hoffman, Quirmbach, and Wirth.
Council Member Cross arrived at 6:15 p.m. Council Member Goodhue was absent.
FY 2001/02 BUDGET PROPOSALS: The Council heard reports on and discussed the proposed
budgets for the Transportation Program, including the Transit System; and General Government
and Internal Services, which included Risk Management, Health Benefits, Fleet Maintenance and
Repair, Fleet Acquisition and Disposal, City Council, and Executive Management.
Discussion continued on budgets for the City Clerk, Cable TV, City Attorney, Human Resources,
Public Relations, Long-Range Planning, Current Planning, Leased and Affordable Housing,
Flood Recovery Program, and Economic Development.
The meeting recessed at 7:00 p.m. and reconvened at 7:06 p.m.
Reports were given on Storm Disaster Activity, Financial Services, Information Services,
Communication Services, Purchasing Services, Customer Service, Pension and Retirement, and
Parking Violation Collection.
COMMENTS: Council Member Hoffman withdrew her motion made on February 7, 2001, to refer
to staff a request for a sign on Elwood Drive (where you turn into Green Hills) to indicate that
is how you access Hamilton Drive.
ADJOURNMENT: 7:45 p.m.
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Diane Voss, City Clerk Ted Tedesco, Mayor