08-23-2021 Council Special Work Session Minutes

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CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL WORK SESSION APPROVED 134 Councilmember Cavegn noted that Blue Heron activities and a coordinator to run them 135 are not currently included in the budget and he feels that is needed. 136 137 Mayor Rafferty noted interest in getting the dump truck purchase back into the budget 138 ($250,000). Also getting something going to look at public works facility (planning 139 discussion). Those would be one-time costs so maybe an appropriate use for surplus. Is 140 there a way for staff to come back with cuts that total $350,000? 141 142 The council discussed the rec center and staffing and the possibility of having staff do 143 City work as well. Director DeGardner remarked that it really depends on what duties are 144 assigned for one area and if there is room to expand responsibilities. Administrator 145 Cotton suggested that ultimately the structure of how a facility is operated will determine 146 staffing. 147 148 Councilmember Lyden noted that he likes the idea of asking staff to come back with 149 options to reach a determined rate. 150 151 Director DeGardner noted that it was helpful for him to look at Page 10 and 11 of the 152 budget information — it shows what is added; if you were to delete every single one of 153 those it would equate to savings of just over $267,000. 154 155 Councilmember Lyden noted surplus funds and wonders about how those could best be 156 utilized. 157 158 Mayor Rafferty remarked that in some ways it comes down to personnel and isn't it better 159 to not increase in that area rather than cut; and in the area of upgrading vehicles, he 160 doesn't think there is a taxpayer value there. Councilmember Lyden argued for the value 161 of quality vehicles. 162 163 Councilmember Stoesz asked about the impact of dipping below the reserve policy level. 164 Ms. Cotton explained that the greatest implication would probably be to the bond rating 165 agencies and it would be difficult to make the argument that it's all pandemic related. 166 167 Mayor Rafferty reviewed those things that had been discussed for removal and suggested 168 they could go to surplus (except Woodbridge, Lois Lane, hockey rinks) and he'd like to 169 go back to the Ford Explorer vehicles. He believes that the City should stay away from 170 using one time funds for personnel. He'd like to see what staff can come up with for the 171 rest (to reach a tax rate of 41.0). 172 173 Dorothy Rademacher (audience), Quad Chamber, noted her involvement in the 174 community. She supports public safety and addressing staffing needs in that area. From 175 observing the conversation tonight, she cannot determine if the goal of the council is to 176 hold the tax rate firm, increase it or decrease it. She suggests that the budget should be 177 looked at like a business whereby you must deal with realities. Ms. Rademacher added, 4