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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION <br />APPROVED <br />March 7, 2016 <br />134 <br />135 The mayor suggested again that a volunteer be involved and also that staff look at ways to <br />136 make the program more efficient. Director Swenson explained the need to keep the <br />137 program legitimate at state level view and the need to use staff. The mayor said he is <br />138 still looking for ways to deal with the program increases without additional staff (i.e. <br />139 write a computer program, efficiency through automation) and also his review indicates <br />140 that there is a quarter percent increase in activity versus a half-time person requested. <br />141 Director Swenson indicated that he isn't aware of any automation available; he thinks that <br />142 adequate staffing is necessary. <br />143 <br />144 Council Member Rafferty indicated that his preference, if additional staffing is done, <br />145 would be a half time CSO because of the training it offers. Finance Director Cotton <br />146 added that bringing the program into the administrative area would require some <br />147 additional costs in training and logistics. Council Member Manthey suggested that the <br />148 duties could be divided among all of the city's CSOs. <br />149 <br />150 If the council concurs in the option of adding a CSO position, Director Swenson said staff <br />151 would return to council before hiring. The mayor said he'd like to look at the automation <br />152 option before bringing on a position; if he's satisfied that review is complete, he could <br />153 support the additional position but it would have to be tied to the program staying at a <br />154 certain level of participation. Director Swenson indicated that, if no additional staffing is <br />155 authorized presently, the program will have to be scaled back in the meantime because <br />156 there is not staff to handle the higher level. Council Member Rafferty asked that the <br />157 council continue to receive information on increases in the program, to see if the <br />158 estimates are accurate. <br />159 <br />16o The council will hear back on the matter at the next work session in three weeks. <br />161 <br />162 4. 35E Distribution Center Project — Community Development Director Grochala <br />163 updated the council on a preliminary proposal to build a large distribution facility on the <br />164 I35E corridor (Main Street and Cedar Street). The proposal was reviewed by the <br />165 Planning and Zoning Board because it includes some trailer storage that isn't specifically <br />166 allowed under the city's zoning code. The Board suggested an amendment to the city <br />167 regulations that would allow the trailer parking in certain areas only. The overall project <br />168 is $18 - $22 million in value and would have to include some road construction (21 st <br />169 Avenue). Mr. Grochala said he anticipates that the proposal will include a request for <br />17o assistance in the form of tax increment financing to the project so general information on <br />171 that process is included in the written report. He explained the terms of a tax increment <br />172 economic development district that would apply. He noted that the capture of increased <br />173 tax increment for project costs includes taxes that would otherwise go to the school <br />174 district and the county. The developer would have to meet a "but for" test in order to <br />175 qualify for tax increment financing. <br />176 <br />177 The mayor asked about transportation and capacity. Community Development Director <br />178 Grochala explained the daily projection of 40 trucks in and 60 trucks out. As far as <br />0 <br />