09-13-06 Council Workshop Minutes

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 13, 2006 The Director reviewed the engineering expenses, noting that most of these expenses are allocated to project costs, either billed to developers or included as expenses to the Infrastructw•e & Street Fund. The Director reviewed planning expenses again noting that most of these costs are billed to developers. There are additional expenses anticipated for 2007, however, given the City's need to update its Comprehensive Plan. The decrease in insurance costs is reflective of an increase in the City's deductibles. The Director also noted thaC increases in City Center and Old Fire Hall costs are associated with increased energy costs. The Sheriff's Department Contract is projected to increase 2.96% for an increase of $25,343. The Director explained that in 2006 the City incurred its share of a second traffic car associated with the impact of the Unweave the Weave project at a cost of $16,431. In 2007, $7,942 of additional cost will be incurred to reflect the full year's cosC of this second car. Little Canada is also absorbing an additional $2,437 as half of North Oaks assigned cost because they did not want to participate in the car given the additional costs they absorbed for other policing needs. The Director noted that the City is receiving the corresponding increase in Che car's availability. It was noted that is likely that after the Unweave the Weave project is completed, the second traffic car will be retained, but will be allocated among the contracting cities for additional traffic enforcement. The Director reported that work will continue with the Fire Department to attempt to achieve savings in insurance costs. The Director also noted that as part of the 2007 Contract renewal, she will include language in the contract asking for more financial reporting from the Department than it presently does. The Director noted that Protective Inspections has been increased by $15,493 to allow for a Housing Inspector position should the City implement amulti-family housing program. Given the resulting need to realign some administrative duties, additional hours and benefits costs have been included in the budget at an impact of $4,283. The Director noted a $29,075 increase in expenditures projected for street costs. $27,075 is for an additional part-time position Chat was added in 2006 on a trial basis. This position was a temporary full-Cirne position shared between Public Works and Parks. The 2007 Budget anticipates the position becoming a regular full-time position with associated benefits. This position addresses the Public Works Department's long-standing request for additional staffing and is considered a necessary addition. Other expense increases reflect increasing oil prices pushing up the cost of 4