08-25-2009 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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SPECIAL WORK SESSION August 25, 2009 APPROVED The directors had included information in the report on the service impacts that would result from the proposed staff reductions. Mr. Rolek added that service levels will absolutely be impacted by the reductions and it would be unwise to reduce to the point where the city cannot respond appropriately to an increase in needs or to a point that is not sustainable. Directors were asked to comment. Community Development Director Grochala remarked that much time has been spent by directors evaluating the situation based on the directive of the council and they have done so knowing also that they cannot responsibly ignore the long-term needs of the city. Based on recent strategic planning activities, the council has identified their values for decision making—operational excellence, customer intimacy, and program and service leadership. Those are the three things that would be hurt the most from these reduction proposals. Public Safety Director Pecchia noted that the Police Department has included their impact statement in the staff report. He added that they have relied on their citizens' public safety commission to work through the process and have made recommendations based on their goal to continue to deliver an appropriate and a high level of services to the community. Public Services Director DeGardner asked that the council carefully review the indications of service reductions that will occur with the loss of each individual position. If these workforce reductions are implemented, the citizens will be absolutely be impacted as far as services. Finance Director Rolek said that he concurs that staff reductions will have significant service level impacts. Businesses sometimes reduce personnel and understand there will be resulting production decreases. The city however cannot reduce production. The Finance Department in particular has no less work and, in fact,would have more work if a storm water utility is implemented. Administration Director Tesch noted that the city has recently been recognized for its high quality of life. These cuts are to the point where that they will impact some basic functions of the city. The council had been requested to receive input from the charter commission regarding their budget. Commissioners Dahl and Sutherland were present. Commissioner Sutherland read a statement that thanked the council members that attended the recent joint council charter commission meeting, provided background on the role and structure of the charter commission, focused on the independent nature of the commission's work, and noted the impact of responding to an audit of the commission. Ms. Sutherland provided the council with written information that included historical data on the commission's funding, a revenue/population comparison of the city, and the commission's most recent bill from attorney Karen Marty. She noted that the attorney bill indicates that most of the commission's legal expenses of late have been associated with responding to the city's audit. She provided information also on the commission's standard "cost of doing business" items such as publication and recording secretary, noting that the commission is requesting $3,000 for the remainder of 2009 for that type of cost. She pointed out that the statute that sets a budget amount