11-14-07 Council Workshop Minutes

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL NOVEMBER 14, 2007 through ICMA. The changes eliminate employee elective features at the end of this year. Employee contributions to the Fund must be mandatory. The Director reported that surveys of employees resulted in no consensus for a level of mandatory contributions. The Director reported that staff is asking that the Council consider an employer contribution to the fund of a level of ''/2% to 1 % of wages, with a mandated matching employee contribution. The Director noted that this cost has not been included in the 2008 Budget proposal. Council suggested that the discussion come back to this item. The Finance Director began a detailed review of the 2008 Capital Improvement Budget as outlined in her report dated November 9, 2007. The Director noted that Capital Improvement expenditures include the potential purchase of a copy machine as well as an upgrade to IP telephony. Keis asked if the City has ever considered obtaining telephone service from Comcast. The Director noted the issue with IP telephony is the stability of the I-Net under the City's current cable franchise. Montour indicated that the City's franchise agreement expires in 2013, and negotiations will begin in 2011. The Administrator pointed out that the FCC keeps changing the rules relative to the City's franchising powers, and at this point, there is no good indication on how the franchise renewal will end up. The Director noted the estimated costs of updating the City's Comprehensive Plan have been included in the 2008 Capital Improvement Budget. She also reviewed estimated costs for energy audits of City buildings as well as floor repairs needed in the Parks Maintenance Shop. With regard to parks capital improvement projects, the Director noted repairs needed to the Pioneer Parks well system, lighting improvements at the Spooner and Pioneer Parks tennis courts as well as the Old Fire Hall skating rink. With regard to public works capital improvement costs, the Director noted the purchase of a bobcat milling implement, asphalt roller, and wood chipper planned for 2008. The Director noted that the City would plan to try to sell any of the replaced equipment. The Director noted that the Fire Department's next truck replacement will occur in approximately ten years. Given the significant cost of a new truck, it was her recommendation that the Council consider establishing a program that will start building funds now to meet this future expenditure and avoid a dramatic levy impact down the line. The Director suggested that a portion of the projected 2008 surplus could be used to establish an initial funding of this reserve. An annual funding requirement could then