HomeMy Public PortalAbout2020.06.19 Special Council Minutes MINUTES
McCall City Council
Special Meeting
McCall City Hall
VIA Teleconference
June 19, 2020
Call to Order and Roll Call
Public Comment
Work Session
Adjournment
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Giles called the special meeting of the McCall City Council to order at 9:00 a.m.
Mayor Giles, Council Member Maciaszek, Council Member Nielsen, and Council Member
Sowers all answered roll call. Council Member Holmes was absent.
City staff members present were Anette Spickard, City Manager; BessieJo Wagner, City Clerk;
Erin Greaves, Communications Manager; Linda Stokes, City Treasurer; Kathy Ikier, Deputy
Treasurer;Michelle Groenevelt, Community Development Director; Rick Stein,Airport Manager;
Eric McCormick, Golf Course Superintendent; Meg Lojek, Library Director; Chris Curtin,
Information Systems Manager; Traci Malvich, Human Resources Manager;
Also, in attendance were Lindsay Harris, McCall Area Chamber of Commerce; Terri Lindenberg,
Treasure Valley Transit; Amber Kostoff, McPAWS;
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Giles called for public comment at 9:02 a.m.
Hearing no comments,Mayor Giles closed the comment period at 9:02 a.m.
WORK SESSION
City Treasurer Linda Stokes presented the FY21 Budget work session. She briefly explained the
purpose and agenda for the Budget Development, and then proceeded to the first item for
discussion.
LOCAL OPTION TAX
City Treasurer Stokes gave an update on the FY21 Local Option Tax funding and distributions up
for approval and answered the Council's questions.
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Council Member Nielsen had questions regarding the Treasure Valley Transit (TVT) request.
Council Member Maciaszek clarified that this was the recommendation of the LOT Commission.
Council Member Sowers had some clarifying questions regarding FY20 and FY21
Chamber of Commerce Fund Reallocation Request
Lindsay Harris, representative for the McCall Area Chamber of Commerce presented the
Chamber's request for reallocation of the 2020 Fourth of July Fireworks LOT grant award given
to the McCall Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau. Due to COVID-19 and concerns
for public health and safety in large gatherings, the McCall Area Chamber worked with City of
McCall staff and the McCall Police Department in the decision to forgo fireworks this year. In lieu
of fireworks,the Chamber is working on a few new events that can be conducted with public safety
in mind. These events include a patriotic boat brigade and a family fun pack. In addition, a 52-
page activity guide featuring events, sales and specials and outdoor activities that support social
distancing such as hiking, mountain biking, lake activities, etc. is in development. The Chamber
would like to reallocate the awarded Fourth of July FY20 LOT funds to cover some of the expenses
associated with these new plans that still fall within LOT criteria.
Ms. Harris gave an overview of the specific events and expenses for funding consideration
including a Family Fun Pack which would have the promotion of self-guided bike tours and two
scavenger hunts. Costs associated with this will be for printing as well as the items to put into the
goodie bags. The goal is 500 fun packs. There will also be a digital 52-page activity guide. The
costs associated with the activity guide will be for printing of 5,000 postcards to advertise it. The
total budget request for these new events and activities is projected to be $1,621.54. The original
LOT grant award was $10,000, so they request the remaining $8,378.46 be placed back into the
fund for other grantees or to help make up for any deficit in funding this fiscal year due to COVID-
19.
Council Member Nielsen moved to approve the reallocation of FY20 local option tax funds
for the McCall Area Chamber of Commerce to pay for the Family Fun Pack and Activity
Guide expenses in the amount of$1621.54 and returning the remaining$8378.46 back to the
local option tax funds, and authorize the Mayor to sign all necessary documents. Council
Member Maciaszek seconded the motion.In a roll call vote Council Member Nielsen,Council
Member Maciaszek, and Mayor Giles all voted aye, Council Member Sowers voted no, and
the motion carried.
Treasure Valley Transit FY21 Funding Request
Terri Lindenberg, Executive Director of Treasure Valley Transit, presented the FY21 funding
request of$104,000 for match requirements for the McCall City Route (Red Line) and commuter
runs serving McCall (Green Line). $75,000 is for the continued funding of the bus routes, $15,000
is to cover the deficit in local match, and $14,000 toward service expansion. She explained the
additional one-time funding request of$15,000 is to help meet the local match requirement for an
additional bus for summer service expansion and has asked Brundage Mountain Resort to match
the other $15,000 as this bus will be used for winter service to their resort. City Treasurer Stokes
pointed out the $75,000 is already accounted for in the budget.
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Ms. Lindenberg gave an update as to the operating procedures and funding during COVID-19 and
shared the heroic efforts of one the bus drivers who noticed someone in distress along the road and
ultimately save the person's life. The ridership numbers for 2019 had 26,499 ride the Red Line
and 17,260 ride the Green Line for a combined annual boardings of 43,759.
The Council discussed and staff gave some clarification of the numbers. Ms. Lindenberg clarified
what created the deficit, explained how the contingency funding is calculated, and answered
Council Member Nielsen questions regarding the LOT. City Clerk BessieJo Wagner shared how
the shutdown has affected the LOT income and how it is possible the contingency may not be
fulfilled. Council Member Sowers inquired to the other Communities' contributions and Ms.
Lindenberg explained majority of the services are McCall based,but the other cities and the County
do contribute and clarified questions about the Brundage Bus route.
Mayor Giles reminded the Council of the greenhouse gas study and how supporting TVT would
be in line with emission reduction if more people were to ride the bus. The Council agreed with
the Mayor and was in support of staff examining LOT and the budget to do what was possible to
meet this request.
MCPAWS FY21 Funding Request
Amber Kostoff, Executive Director of MCPAWS, presented the FY21 funding for MCPAWS
operations in the amount of$40,000. These funds are used to ensure continued general operations
of the shelter, including all necessary veterinary services for each animal received; offering
competitive, living wages for staff members; maintaining a well-kept and efficient shelter facility
and grounds; providing lost and found animal services for members of the community; housing
stray and impounded animals for the McCall Police Department; and much more. 2019 was a very
good year for the shelter and she gave a brief overview of the work and service provided. In an
effort, to get stray cats back to their home, the shelter is offering free microchipping. Ms. Kostoff
explained the challenges of Covid-19 with canceling of fundraising events, closure of the thrift
store, shared out of area adoptions has been shut down and the possible affects going into the
future. She answered questions about the challenges of hiring of a new veterinary doctor. City
Treasurer Stokes explained the $40,000 is already built into the budget.
Review of Personnel Costs and Comparisons
Human Resources Manager Traci Malvich presented the personnel costs and comparisons. She
covered the salary survey information,explaining that some positions were lagging 25-30%behind
market and overall, the majority of positions are about 9% behind market. She explained the
process and analysis of the City's salary structure, equity adjustment, and the struggle of the Police
Department to compete in hiring staff. The Police Chief worked with her on a salary chart as the
department will be separated from the standard salary chart to allow the department to be
competitive in recruitment and retention and she explained the compensation levels and incentives.
She gave an update on the benefit costs and how the budget is impacted. The overall increase for
FY21 is less than FY20. She gave a brief overview of her recommendations and answered
questions. Staff is seeking direction to approve the structural changes and not the fiscal amount at
this time.
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The Council deliberated. Council Member Nielsen would like to have a more in-depth discussion
regarding the new police salary chart before deciding. Staff stated to have the chart available and
comparisons at the next budget meeting. Council Member Sowers would like to see Police Chief
Justin Williams to attend the discussion. Council Member Maciaszek felt it important to be
competitive and is on board with the concepts presented. Mayor Giles was as well and gave staff
direction to move forward as presented in the chart and be prepared to discuss the police
department.
Property Tax and Overview of the Draft Budget
City Treasurer Stokes walked the Council through the growth and levy rates explaining it has been
a good year for the building department. She explained the effect of taking the Homeowner's
Exemption increase and impact of the 3% Increase would be $189,631 and the Foregone Amount
(not included in I'budget request)would be$401,433. Lastly, she gave a summary of the CARES
funding for Public Safety, if the Council chooses to participate. She went through the draft budget
scenarios explaining the comparisons of the potential impact of the 3%increase,foregone amount,
and the CARES tax relief. Mayor Giles requested staff work with the State Treasury office for an
estimation of the impact of development activity.
She touched on the departmental revenues and clarified the LOT funding will be added to the
budget once the funding is approved. She has meetings planned with the department heads
throughout July and will have a balanced budget ready by the July 24 meeting. She answered
questions regarding the Golf Course and balancing the deficit. Wrapping up, she gave overview of
the Capital Improvement Projects and answered the Council's questions. She encouraged the
Council to look through the data and email their questions to herself and the City Manager before
the next meeting.
FY20 Budget Development Next Steps
Council Work Session Set Tentative Budget on July 24, 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
FY21 Budget Public Hearing on August 13, 05:30 PM
FY21 Foregone Public Hearing on August 13, 05:30 PM if needed
FY21 Budget Adoption on August 27, if not adopted on August 13
ADJOURNMENT
Without further business, Mayor Giles adjourned the meeting at 12:00 p.m.
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