08/24/2009 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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• • • SPECIAL WORK SESSION August 10, 2009 DRAFT 91 the fees they collect. Staff further explained that the nature of business being conducted 92 by the building department has changed but the level of permits is staying somewhat the 93 same. Last year was, of course, impacted by storm damage. 94 95 Public Services Director DeGardner noted the existing joint powers agreement with the 96 school district through which the city spends $50,000 to $60,000 per year in maintaining 97 some jointly used facilities. 98 99 In the administrative, fmance, planning, parks and streets areas, staff was asked to explain 100 current needs. 101 102 At the request of council, the directors explained the process they used to get to this point. 103 Was there communication and opinions shared between directors? Mr. Rolek explained 104 that each director prepared a budget for their area of responsibility as they normally 105 would for the budget. There was then discussion amongst the group about how 106 reductions and how they would impact services. The directors also recognized that while 107 this is a very serious situation, at some time the economy will turn around and the city 108 needs to be in a position to move with that. They discussed and evaluated the possibly of 109 outsourcing some services. Police Chief Pecchia added that the group did identify up to 110 15 positions that could be eliminated although there was not necessarily consensus on 111 which positions. 112 113 A council member suggested that the number one job of the directors was to bring 114 forward reductions that would represent an appropriate level of resources for the current 115 activity at city hall first and then the council would look past that at other pieces that 116 could fill in the puzzle (such as revenue, retirement, furlough, etc). He recommends that 117 each director make suggestions across the entire organization perhaps even anonymously 118 and then tabulate those results to get to some real recommendations. 119 120 Connie Sutherland, Charter Commissioner, asked if the directors have discussed the 121 possibility of salary decreases across the board. Mr. Rolek explained that option could be 122 problematic since most of the city's employees are attached to labor agreements. 123 124 At the request of the council, Mr. Rolek reviewed the delinquent tax situation for the 125 special assessments associated with the general obligation bonds of 2005A. There is an 126 option to cover the debt service through internal financing for 2010. The forfeiture 127 process would begin in 2010 but it's a lengthy process; staff is in the process of analyzing 128 the options involved in that outcome including public purpose. 129 130 A council member asked if staff is actively exploring the possibility of some sharing in 131 the area of public safety services (police and fire). The Police Chief indicated those are 132 possibilities and they hold significant potential in savings. The council member also 133 asked if, in the area of fire services, could there be efficiencies in merging in additional 134 cities? The council member also asked for more information on increasing recreation 135 program fees.