07-31-2017 Council Budget Work Session Minutes

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION 3uty 31, 2017 APPROVED 90 Page 4 through Page 8— Revenues. Council Member Rafferty asked about the possibility 91 of raising park dedication fees and Director DeGardner said he has WSB looking at that 92 possibility. 93 94 Mayor Reinert asked about the reduction in the ACE program. Director Swenson said 95 there are less inquiries and less completions. The CSO position for that program has not 96 been filled because the department's current staff is keeping up with the work. 97 98 Mayor Reinert asked about the gas franchise. Administrator Karlson remarked that there 99 was a mild winter; it appears it was overbudgeted. Ms. Cotton added that staff is trying to l oo true things up. lol 102 The council discussed the lease of the day care facilities at city hall. The lease agreement 103 does have an escalator built in. 104 105 Expenditures —Mayor Reinert asked why the Finance Department is going up. Director 106 Cotton pointed out that the increase is mainly related to personnel services. 107 108 Mayor Reinert asked about legal expenditures, suggesting that the expenses are going 109 down but the budget isn't necessarily going down as much. Administrator Karlson i l o explained that the budget request is conservative but he feels it is important not to over ill react at this point. Mayor Reinert suggested that there looks to be about $25,000 112 available there. 113 114 Building Inspections —The council discussed with Director Grochala the temporary 115 building inspector position. 116 117 Public Services —Staff explained that the pavement management budget was transferred 118 (storm drainage system maintenance) impacting this budget. Mayor Reinert recalled the 119 history of pavement management, including development of a pavement management 12o plan. Director Grochala said he believes the city needs a newer evaluation and explained 121 the importance of reaching streets before their condition becomes poor. Mayor Reinert 122 remarked that it makes sense to maintain, especially in the case of the city's facilities; 123 he'd like that discussion at the next budget meeting. Council Member Maher suggested 124 that part of the discussion needs to be who is responsible for determining maintenance 125 schedules. Mayor Reinert added that things needs to be on a cycle for maintenance and 126 replacement. 127 128 Page 16, last line— Council Member Maher asked if there are more dollars expended in 129 the second half of the year than the first —the budgeted amount is so much higher than 13o what's been spent. 131 132 Economic Development Budget —Mayor Reinert asked about the value of funds 133 supporting the area tourism group. Administrator Karlson sits on the board and offered 3