09-09-2019 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Search

CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION DRAFT 2 46 Fire – Capital Outlay – Public Safety Director Swenson noted that the reduction of 47 $18,200 would delay for one year replacement of the hose and nozzles on Aerial 11 48 (believed to be approaching 20 years old). The council discussed the proper life of that 49 type of fire equipment. 50 51 Director Cotton mentioned that staff is proposing the transfer of an additional $100,000 52 from the Closed Bond Fund. The results of the proposed reductions and that transfer 53 would result in an overall 7.99% increase in the preliminary tax levy and a reduction in 54 the tax capacity rate as noted in the written staff report. 55 56 Mayor Reinert asked the Finance Director to review the City’s fiscal disparities position. 57 Ms. Cotton displayed her preliminary figures for that area of the budget. The City has 58 always been a receiver but for the first time this year that would change to a position 59 where the City contributes. Mayor Reinert asked staff if that trend will continue and Ms. 60 Cotton said she expects it to remain where it is for a while; affect is tied to commercial 61 industrial development. 62 63 Mayor Reinert commented: 64 a) he doesn’t like the reduction in Pavement Management because that’s an 65 important program that is working; 66 b) what is the contingency for 2019 (it is $75,000 and has been used to about 67 half); the contingency for proposed 2020 is $75,000; 68 c) why has the Finance Department gone up in the past few years; Ms. Cotton 69 explained that the service contract with Metro INetet is the biggest driver and in general 70 the City’s IT footprint is getting a lot greater (surveillance cameras added, body worn 71 policy cameras, additional Laserfiche licenses, additional hiring at Metro INet); she is 72 also asking for a $3,500 vendor package to assist with certain technology expansion as 73 well as an increase in the Springbrook finance system contract; 74 d) the building inspections area increasing; Director Grochala noted the addition 75 of a third inspector and when the mayor suggested that increase was related to storm 76 damage in the past, Mr. Grochala explained the inspections are now related to new homes 77 and that is more work. 78 e) increase in fleet management; Director DeGarder noted that the increase is 79 100% fuel consumption related. There was discussion about the addition of fire 80 equipment to the fleet costs 81 82 Council Member Stoesz suggested that it would be more transparent to have all IT in one 83 area and Ms. Cotton responded that is something she will look at for 2021; 84 85 Recreation Fund (decrease) – Director DeGardner said there was a reduction in recreation 86 staff. Council Member Stoesz asked if an alignment with YMCA would make sense and 87 Mr. DeGardner said there have been discussions on that topic and they will continue but 88 there are some areas that don’t mesh because the YMCA is membership based. 89 90