HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Special Meeting of the Ames City Council 02/04/2000MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING
OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL
AMES, IOWA FEBRUARY 4, 2000
The Ames City Council met in special session at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, February 4, 2000, 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
Quirmbach. Council members Cross and Wirth were absent.
FY 2000/01 BUDGET OVERVIEW: Mayor Tedesco advised that public input concerning the
2000/01 budget will be received at the Council’s February 15, 2000, meeting as well as at the
public hearing on the budget that is scheduled for March 7, 2000.
City Manager Steve Schainker explained that during this budget overview, staff would be
concentrating on the fund summaries, the various utilities and rates, and how the customer will
be affected during the next budget year.
Discussion ensued among the Council members concerning how a property-tax freeze would be
very detrimental to the City of Ames.
Budget Officer Carol Collings gave a summary of the 1999/00 property tax levies, reviewed he
valuation percentage increases for the past ten years, and presented a comparison of the dollar
amount and percentage increases for property assessments for 1990/2000 and 2000/01. She
explained how the residential rollback affects the taxable valuations and showed how the total
tax levy is distributed among the General Levy, Transit, Trust and Agency, and Debt Service.
The excise tax (utility replacement tax) was covered in detail and Council was told how this tax
is computed by Ms. Collings. She also highlighted several programs that are partially funded by
Local Option Taxes and reminded the Council that, through the use of Local Option Tax monies,
the tax levy is being decreased by $2.23/$1,000. The levy at $9.61/$1,000 for Ames is a lower
tax levy than other Iowa cities comparable to Ames. Ms. Collings also described how the use
of Local Option Tax monies in the Fire & Police Trust Fund substantially lowers the amount
required to be funded through property taxes.
A comparison of tax dollar payments for 1999/2000 and 2000/01 was reviewed; this showed an
increase in total valuation of $802,000. Sample calculations were presented to determine how
the City tax rate affects owners of residential, commercial, and industrial property. Ms. Collings
stated that residential property owners in Ames will pay 4.43% less in City taxes; commercial
property owners will see a decrease of 2.81%; and industrial, a decrease of 1.60%. The cost of
services per residence was explained.
Ms. Collings named a few unusual funding uses which will impact the 2000/01 budget, i.e., an
increase in health insurance, a decrease in workers compensation, an increase in IPERS
disability, the hiring of three new dispatchers, fire personnel overtime, the shifting of an
inspector from water and sewer, the use of temporary personnel at the Library, and the
expiration of COPS grants.
Steve Schainker reviewed various revenue accounts and explained the net revenues to expenses.
The recommended changes in employment levels were discussed as were the proposed changes
in fees and service charges. Council Member Quirmbach pointed out that there was an error in
the calculation of the percentage of change in the Rental Housing Fees table on Page 33 of the
“Special Reports for the 2000/01 Budget.”
Carol Collings told the Council that the Leased Housing (subsidized)/Administrative revenues
are falling; expenses are exceeding revenues. Mr. Schainker pointed out that the City has never
used property taxes to supplement this program. He said that Council could possibly explore
expanding the program to include the County next year to allow for more rental opportunities
for qualified applicants.
Concerning the Water Utility Fund, Mr. Schainker stated that he is recommending an increase
of revenue by 10%, and he explained the strategy behind this recommendation. He pointed out
that no rate increases are being recommended for the Sewer Utility or Electric Utility. Regarding
the Storm Sewer Utility, Mr. Schainker stated that it is being recommended that the storm water
fee be increased to $1.50/month to provide funds for routine maintenance of storm sewers.
Ms. Collings explained that the revenues and expenses for the Ice Arena reflect six months’
operations at the old facility and six months at the new. It was pointed out that Iowa State
University and the City agreed that no alcohol would be sold at the new Arena.
Under the Resource Recovery Operations and Improvements. Mr. Schainker advised that no
increase in the Tipping Fee was being recommended and the 2000/01 per capita will remain
$10.50. The “reject” issue will continued to be worked on by the Public Works staff in the
upcoming year.
Mr. Schainker reminded the Council that he was recommending funds be budgeted for projects
which had recently been discussed, but not initially included in the 2000/01 budget year. Those
are as follows:
1.$20,000 for a conceptual development plan for a third fire station
2.$35,000 for a study on an aquatics/recreation center
3.$50,000 for a conceptual plan for the Hallett’s Quarry area to be used as a park
4.$100,000 for Downtown improvement incentives as design guidelines are being developed
According to Mr. Schainker, the Downtown improvement project may be ongoing; Local Option
Taxes may be an appropriate fund to pay for that project. He suggested that the other three
projects could possibly be funded through the available balance in the General Fund, the Local
Option Sales Tax Fund, or an adjustment in property tax rates.
A summary of the activity in the Neighborhood Improvement Program was provided to the
Council. Council Member Judie Hoffman suggested that the Council re-evaluate the Program
criteria. Mayor Tedesco asked to have a copy of the criteria distributed to the Council.
Assistant City Manager Bob Kindred pointed out that two groups which have requested funding
in the past, the Special Olympics and Ames Jaycees, had not submitted funding requests for
2000/01.
COMMENTS: Moved by Hoffman, seconded by Goodhue, to refer to staff the request of Roseland
Architects, on behalf of First National Bank, for an easement to allow drive-up traffic to exit into
the existing City parking lot at Fifth and Clark.
Vote on Motion: 4-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 4:05 p.m.
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Diane Voss, City Clerk Ted Tedesco, Mayor