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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2002_03_22budget work session Town Council Budget Workshop March 22, 2002 Public Safety Center, 65 Plaza Street, 9:00 a.m. Mayor Webb presiding. Councilmembers Present: George Atwell, Mervin Jackson, Leonard McDonald, David Schmidt, Robert Zoldos, and Mayor Webb. Councilmembers Absent: Vice-Mayor Umstattd Staff Present: Town Manager Robert Noe, Town Attorney William Donnelly, Deputy Town Manager Phillip Rodenberg, Chief of Police Joe Price, Director of Information Technology Michel Agujia, Director of Parks and Recreation Kaj Dentler, Director of Engineering and Public Works Tom Mason, Airport Director Doug McNeeley, Director of Human Resources Dona Wolf, Director of Finance Paul York, Deputy Director of Utilities Aref Entemadi, Interim Director of Planning, Zoning and Development Lee Phillips, Library Manager Jane Sullivan, Chief of Comprehensive Planning Randy Hodgson, Chief of Engineering Paul Gauthier, Chief of Operations and Inspections Bob Lily, Budget Officer Mike Freda, Police Captain Clagget H. Moxley, Police Captain Jeff Van Gilder, Assistant to the Town Manager Nicole Ard, Zoning Administrator Brian Boucher, Capital Improvement Manager Nagi Elsewaissi, GIS Coordinator John Callahan, Recreation Facilities Manager Rich Williams, Senior Planner Nancy Kitchens, Senior Planner Delane Parks, Engineer Amy Wyks, Tourism Coordinator Marantha Edwards, Planning and Zoning Assistant Jennifer Moore, Management Intern Larry DiRe, Clerk of Council Judy Ahalt and Assistant to the Clerk of Council Debi Parry. AGENDA ITEMS A. Information Technology Department Michel Agujia outlined his budget request for FY03. This request including funding for Records Management, Space Reorganization, Webmaster position, Administrative Associate I position and E-Government capabilities for the web. He stated the reasons that each of these items would benefit the town and assist us in becoming a 21st century organization. John Callahan discussed the request for funding to phase in the first part of the GIS system. He outlined the benefits of the system and stated that Planning and Utilities would be the biggest users. Mayor Webb asked Mike Freda to report on why the utilities funding to IT was budgeted to be less for this fiscal year. B. Office of the Clerk of Council Judy Ahalt outlined the small increase for training and registrations. Further, she stated her support for the Information Technology Department's recommendations for records management funding. C. Parks and Recreation Department Kaj Dentler outlined his requests for the FY03 budget. He stated with the opening of the new expansion he is requesting that 6 new employees be brought on to maintain current level of service. He also outlined 2 more needed positions that were cut from the Town Manager's budget. Mr. Dentler also stated that the Parks Town Council Budget W orksession Minutes for March 22. 2002 Page 2 and Recreation Department plans to increase fees for use of the Ida Lee Recreation Center to help defray the costs of expansion and new staff. Councilmember McDonald asked Mr. Dentler to report back to him on the percentage of town residents that use the Ida Lee Recreation Center. Mayor Webb asked for a report of the bottom line savings if the expansion does not open up by August 1st. D. Leesburg Police Department Joe Price outlined the public safety challenges facing Leesburg and gave an overview of crime by category. Chief Price further explained the workload increases for his officers and requested that funding be allocated for 6 new officers. He also discussed the purchases that will be made in FY 03 using the Uran funds. E. Planning, Zoning and Development Department Lee Phillips informed Council the department staff is currently at the 1990 level, however the workload has tripled since 1990. He stated that the department is currently running 30-60 days behind the time line and is in need of four additional positions, Zoning Inspector, Senior Planner, Planner and Urban Forrester 1, as well as funding to put the Zoning Ordinance on the web. F. Thomas Balch Library Jane Sullivan provided Council with an overview of the requested FY03 budget increase of 8%. She further stated that the major reason for the increase was the request for an additional Librarian position, which is not recommended by the Town Manager. Councilmember Zoldos asked Ms. Sullivan to investigate the pros and cons of charging for the Library's services. G. Utilities Department Aref Etemadi discussed the proposed budget increase of 15% and overviewed the significant program highlights. Mr. Etemadi stated that Utilities is requesting 5 new staff members for the Utilities Lines Division, 1 for the Water Supply Division, 3 for the Water Pollution Control Facility and 1 in the Utilities Maintenance Division. Utilities is also requesting an increase in contractual services as well as a BNR and BMU increase in materials and supplies including an expanded odor control program. H. Engineering & Public Works Department Tom Mason outlined the FY03 budget request for E&PW, which included an Inspector for Capital Projects, a Senior Engineer, purchase of an additional leaf vacuum, a large finish mower, an additional 4x4 pickup, reception area improvements, conversion of paper files and plans to digitize storage, Bradfield Drive street lights and various traffic calming measures. I. Leesburg Municipal Airport Doug McNeeley discussed the federal and state grants, totaling 6 million, which have been received as well as new revenue from space rental and the new t- hangers and ground lease. Mr. McNeeley informed Council that the State would reimburse 50% of the project funds requested for FY03. Town Council Budget Worksession Minutes for March 22,2002 Page 3 Councilmember Zoldos asked Mr. McNeeley to look into FAA funding for an air traffic control tower. J. Economic Development Department Marantha Edwards outlined the objectives for the Economic Development Department for FY03. She outlined the new position being requested by the office, a Grant Writer, which is not recommended by the Town Manager. She further stated that the department planned to make a contribution to the IT office for the Webmaster position. Councilmember Schmidt asked Ms. Edwards to coordinate tourism with the Ida Lee staff, including placing kiosks with local tourism throughout the facility. K. Town Manager's Office Phil Rhodenberg outlined the office's requests for the FY03 budget, including a citizen's news page and two recommendations that were not approved by the Town Manager, including a citizen's survey and an annual report. L. Human Resources Office Dona Wolf stated the only significant change in her budget request for FY03 is the request for two summer interns. M. Finance Department Paul York stated that the finance budget would remain status quo; there are no requests for any new projects or personnel. He stated that the one program they wanted to implement, which was cut by the Town Manager, was to automate the cash receipt process. N. Town Attorney's Office Bill Donnelly stated that there are no significant changes to his budget. It was the consensus of Council to convene again on April3fd at 7:30 p.m. to hear requests from non-departmental organizations, and to receive reports from staff regarding the additional information they requested. Council also set an additional workshop date of April 19th at 8:00 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 3:56 p.m. ~(LJ:?~1k~ k of Council