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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Special Meeting of the Ames City Council 02/08/1992MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL AMES, IOWA FEBRUARY 8, 1992 The Ames City Council met in special session at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 8, 1992, in the Council Chambers of the City Hall, 515 Clark Avenue, pursuant to law with Mayor Pro Tem Parks presiding and the following members present: Campbell, Hertz, and Hoffman. Mayor Curtis was absent and Council Members Brown and Wirth arrived late. BURNING OF BRUSH AT 2833 ROSS ROAD: Moved by Campbell, seconded by Hoffman, to direct Staff not to enforce the City Code regulation prohibiting burning, to allow the burning of a brush pile at 2833 Ross Road. Vote on Motion: 4-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. Council Members Brown and Wirth arrived. SOFTFORCE, INC.: Moved by Campbell, seconded by Hoffman, to adopt RESOLUTION 92-53 approving the assignment of CEBA funds from the City of Ames to Firstar Bank and SoftForce, Inc. Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. DISTINGUISHED BUDGET PRESENTATION AWARD: Mayor Pro Tem Parks presented the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers' Association to Alice Carroll, Finance Director, and Carol Collings, Budget Officer. FY 1992/93 BUDGET OVERVIEW: City Manager Schainker explained that today's presentation would be a big picture view of the City's budget. Alice Carroll, Finance Director, provided introductory highlights and explained the breakdown of property taxes with the City's portion being 34%. She said that the City's 1.2% increase in valuation is the lowest since FY 1989/90. She discussed the effect of the property tax rollback on the City's budget and pointed out that commercial and industrial properties are having to shoulder the tax burden that is shifted from residential properties as a result of the rollback. She pointed out that since there was an increase in residential valuation in Ames, the City's budget could have been financed for the next year with a decrease in property taxes if the rollback didn't exist. Ms. Carroll reminded those present that the Local Option Sales Tax provides property tax relief and without those monies this year the City would have exceeded the 8.10 levy. She explained that the City was able to fully fund its liability to the State of Iowa for the Police and Retirement Fund and still have funds left, so the interest from the excess can be used to pay for the Police and Fire Retirement Fund portion of the property tax levy. Council Member Parks requested information to be provided later in the week about City investments. Ms. Carroll detailed what services citizens receive for their taxes. Carol Collings, Budget Officer, discussed the proposed increase in the General Fund, which she attributed mainly to a 40% increase in health care costs. Council Member Brown, asked for a report on the health insurance increase. Ms. Collings informed the Council that the growth in City operations amounts to a 4.2% increase. She said that the City has experienced some loss in revenues due to a decrease in Municipal Assistance, a decrease in liquor profits, and Personal Property Reimbursement. She also pointed out that $360,869.00 more dollars would have been available for the upcoming year if the rollback did not exist. She updated the Council on Local Option Tax, Hotel/Motel Tax, and Road Use Fund revenues. She said that if the State decides to take Road Use Tax monies from the City, services will have to be cut. She further discussed the City's various funds. The Council took a five minute recess. City Manager Schainker began a discussion of the water and sewer funds by saying that the City has been drawing down the available balance in these funds for several years to fund capital improvements. This has saved citizens money because bonding wasn't necessary for these improvements. Now an increase in water revenues is needed for the first time since 1978. He presented two scenarios for a revenue increase, the first being a bonding option and the second being an option to pay cash for capital improvements. He recommended that the Council consider a two stage rate increase with one occurring in FY 1992/93 and one in FY 1994/95. He also recommended a decrease of 14% in sewer rates. He asked the Council Members to be prepared to choose an option by next Saturday. Tom Neumann, Director of the Water and Water Pollution Control Department, stated that the goal of increasing the water fund is to meet all operating and capital improvement costs for a five year period and to maintain a minimum working capital balance of $400,000.00. He further explained the cash and bonds options. He said that the bonds would be General Obligation Bonds paid back through water user fees. He reiterated the recommendation of a 14% decrease in sewer rates to be effective in July, 1992. He said this decrease would still provide the required revenue for bond coverage through FY 1997/98. COMMENTS: There were no comments. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 11:10 a.m. MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL AMES, IOWA FEBRUARY 11, 1992 The Ames City Council met in special session at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 11, 1992, in the Council Chambers of the City Hall, 515 Clark Avenue, pursuant to law with Mayor Larry Curtis presiding and the following members present: Campbell, Hertz, Parks, and Wirth. Council Members Brown and Hoffman arrived late. PROPOSED FY 1992/93 BUDGET: Moved by Parks, seconded by Campbell, to approve the proposed budget for FY 92/93 for the City of Ames. (Vote will be taken on Saturday, February 15, 1992.) The City Council heard reports on and discussed the proposed budgets for the Transit System portion of the Transportation Program and the Utilities and Physical Environment Program including Resource Recovery, Wastewater Disposal, Storm Water Diversion, Water Utility, Public Works Transportation Administration/Support, Public Works Utilities Administration/Support, Electric Utility, and Planning and Housing. It was pointed out that there will be no increases in either transit or electric fees for next year. Bob Bourne, Transit Director, stated that Dial-A-Ride fees would have to be increased due to enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act. COMMENTS: There were no comments. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m. MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL AMES, IOWA FEBRUARY 12, 1992 The Ames City Council met in special session at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 12, 1992, in the Council Chambers of the City Hall, 515 Clark Avenue, pursuant to law with Mayor Larry Curtis presiding and the following members present: Campbell, Hertz, Parks, and Wirth. Council Members Brown and Hoffman arrived late. PROPOSED FY 1991/92 BUDGET: The Council heard reports on and discussed the proposed budgets for the Community Enrichment Program, which included Recreational Opportunities, Parks, and Parks & Recreation Administration/Support, the Community Protection Program, which included Law Enforcement, Fire Safety, Building Safety, Health & Sanitation, and Fire, Health and Building Safety Administration, and the Transportation Program, which included the Street System, Traffic Control, Public Parking, and Airport, as well as Public Buildings, and Cemeteries. Nancy Carroll, Parks and Recreation Director, mentioned an additional request of $11,000.00 for air conditioning the auditorium dressing rooms. City Manager Schainker stated that appropriate funding for this project would come from the current year's Local Option Sales Tax monies. The Council discussed the operation of the auditorium. Council Member Parks requested a summary of the utility expenses for the auditorium after one year of operation. Mayor Curtis and Council Member Parks stated their opposition to the current drop-in fee for the gymnasium. Police Chief Ballantine informed the Council of the need for additional staff at the Animal Control Center and suggested hiring part-time help through Manpower. COMMENTS: There were no comments. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m. MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL AMES, IOWA FEBRUARY 13, 1992 The Ames City Council met in special session at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 13, 1992, in the Council Chambers of the City Hall, 515 Clark Avenue, pursuant to law with Mayor Larry Curtis presiding and the following members present: Campbell, Hertz, Hoffman, and Wirth. Council Members Brown and Parks arrived late. PROPOSED FY 1991/92 BUDGET: The Council heard reports on and discussed the proposed budgets for the Community Enrichment Program, which includes Library Operations, the Internal Support Services Program, which includes Risk Management and Health Benefits and Equipment Maintenance, and the General Administration and Support Program, which includes Public Policy and Commissions and Administrative Services. Council Member Brown asked to receive a report by Saturday showing the effect of increased health care costs on each department. COMMENTS: There were no comments. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m. MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL AMES, IOWA FEBRUARY 15,1992 The Ames City Council met in special session at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 15, 1992, in the Council Chambers of the City Hall, 515 Clark Avenue, pursuant to law with Mayor Curtis presiding and the following members present: Campbell, Hertz, Parks, and Wirth. Council Members Brown and Hoffman arrived late. EQUIPMENT FOR AMES/ISU 69 KV TIE LINE: Moved by Hertz, seconded by Wirth, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 92-54 approving final plans and specifications for equipment for the Ames/ISU 69 KV Tie Line and awarding contracts to Siemens Energy and Automations, Inc. for Power Circuit Breakers in the amount of $195,300.00 and to Keystone Electric Manufacturing Co. for a Control Switchboard in the amount of $199,752.00. Roll Call Vote: 4-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. PHI KAPPA THETA: Moved by Wirth, seconded by Parks, to approve a request from Phi Kappa Theta to allow underage people on the premises of the Coliseum bar while alcohol is being served on February 21, 1992. Vote on Motion: 4-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. Council Members Hoffman and Brown arrived. BUDGET WRAP-UP: Sheila Lundt, Assistant to the City Manager, reported on ASSET's recommendations for human services funding. She stressed the expansion of services being provided by several agencies. She discussed the detrimental effects of state government cutbacks on human services funding. Council Member Brown suggested holding a meeting with the City's ASSET members in the summer to discuss next year's budget procedures. David Hirvela, Chairperson of COTA, reported on COTA's recommendations for arts funding. He pointed out that many groups have shown growth in fund raising efforts. He stressed that they are recommending increased funding for groups that are trying to bring more youths into their programs. Moved by Parks, seconded by Hoffman, to pay the following salaries to the employees directly responsible to the City Council for FY 1992/93: City Clerk - $35,750; City Attorney - $80,500; and City Manager - $85,000. Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. Alice Carroll, Finance Director, presented an investment report prepared by Treasurer Sherry Meier. Council Member Brown commended Staff on the investment policy. Carol Collings, Budget Officer, handed out a list of fees for the Planning and Housing Department that were not included in the budget materials. Ms. Collings summarized the cost of the health insurance increase to the various city departments. The Council discussed raising parking fines but decided to wait until the large supply of tickets already printed is somewhat depleted. Moved by Parks, seconded by Brown, to appropriate $532,791.00 for Human Services Funding as recommended by ASSET. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. Moved by Wirth, seconded by Parks, to appropriate $60,920.00 for Arts Funding as recommended by COTA. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. Moved by Brown, seconded by Campbell, to appropriate $15,960.00 for public art funding as requested by the Public Art Policy and Acquisition Committee. Council Member Brown stated that she thought the City Council should receive a report about how this money will be spent. City Manager Schainker recommended that this money be provided from Local Option Tax revenues. Council Member Hoffman stated that she would like to see less money provided for the acquisition of art and she urged an increase in displays of local artists as opposed to purchase of art by the City. Vote on Motion: 4-2. Voting Aye: Brown, Campbell, Parks, and Wirth. Voting Nay: Hertz and Hoffman. Motion declared carried. The Council discussed the request from the Ames Community Arts Council for funds to complete renovation of the Community Center Auditorium. Moved by Campbell, seconded by Parks, to allocate $37,685 for completion of the Auditorium renovation. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. Moved by Campbell, seconded by Hoffman, to allocate $7,280.00 for the hiring of a Manpower employee to work part-time at the Animal Control Shelter. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. The Council discussed the possibility of using the excess Police and Fire Retirement funds to enable the City to meet next fiscal year's budget demands without increasing property taxes. Council Member Parks pointed out that these excess monies were raised thru property taxes. Thus he said it would be appropriate to continue to use them to fund Police and Fire Retirement rather than raising taxes to do so. Moved by Parks, seconded by Hertz, to take $173,866.00 necessary to maintain a flat tax rate from the excess Police and Fire Retirement Funds to meet funding needs for the FY 1992/93 Budget rather than raising property taxes. Vote on Motion: 5-0-1. Voting Aye: Campbell, Hertz, Hoffman, Parks, and Wirth. Voting Nay: None. Abstaining: Brown because she did not clearly understand this issue. Motion declared carried. City Manager Schainker reviewed the high points of the discussion of water and sewer rates held during the Budget Preview meeting. He reminded the Council of the two possible funding scenarios of using cash or bonds for capital improvements during the next five years while retaining a $400,000 fund cushion each year. General agreement was reached that using bonds to meet the Water Department's goals for the next five years made more sense than using the cash option. Moved by Parks, seconded by Hoffman, to have two bond sales during the next five years and to have a water revenue increase of 33% in metered sales in July, 1992, and another 36% increase in metered sales in July 1994, along with a 14% decrease in sewer revenues in July, 1992. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. City Manager Schainker reminded the Council that the proposed budget for FY 1992/93 does not cover a possible TIF district. Roll Call Vote on motion to approve the proposed FY 1992/93 Budget, which was made on Tuesday, February 11, 1992: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. Moved by Wirth, seconded by Campbell, to set March 3, 1992, as the date of hearing on the proposed budget for FY 1992/93 for the City of Ames. Vote on Motion 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. COMMENTS: Bob Kindred, Assistant City Manager, informed the Council that representatives of the Ames Homebuilders brought in a lengthy list of proposed changes to the Building Code on Friday. He suggested that the Council cancel the Building Code Work Session scheduled for February 18, 1992, to allow Staff more time to address these changes. Staff would be ready to discuss these proposals at the meeting scheduled for March 17, 1992. Moved by Parks, seconded by Brown, to cancel the Building Code Workshop scheduled for February 18, 1992. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 a.m. ____________________________________________________________________________ Nancy Dionigi, City Clerk Larry R. Curtis, Mayor