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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2021-03-29 work session1 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION, MARCH 29, 2021 CALL TO ORDER Mayor Carrie Tergin called the March 29, 2021 City Council Work Session to order at 5:30 P.M. ROLL CALL The f ollowing Councilmembers were present for roll-call: Present: Fitzwater, Graham, Hensley, Hussey, Kemna, Lester, Schreiber, Vogt, Ward, and Wiseman Absent: None ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA A motion was made by Councilmember Wiseman and seconded by Councilmember Ward to adopt an amended agenda, adding “Public Comment” after “City/County Sales Tax H Projects Update”. The motion passed unanimously. CITY/COUNTY SALES TAX H PROJECTS UPDATE Matt Morasch, Director of Public Works, presented a Sales Tax H projects update. Councilmember Fitzwater asked if there were plans to update the infrastructure around the new Riverside Amphitheatre at Ellis Porter Park. Mr. Morasch said an update will be on a future Public Works & Planning Committee agenda for discussion. Councilmember Graham asked if Staff was recommending any of the “New Roads for Future Redevelopment” listed in the packet handout. Mr. Morasch indicated Staff is not recommending those projects at this time. Councilmember Hussey suggested not including Monroe Street upgrades as an “Economic Development and Grant Match” project, but rather an “Intersection a nd Corridor Improvement”; and updating the dollar amount of the “Intersection and Corridor Improvements” by the estimated cost of the Monroe Street upgrades. He also would like to give a higher priority to the Ohio Street Bridge project. Councilmember Ward agreed with Councilmember Hussey’s suggestions. She also stated that she would like to see the Monroe Street upgrades co -inside with the Southside Neighborhood Plan. PUBLIC COMMENT Phil Freeman, Freeman Mortuary business owner spoke in favor of including Monroe Street (2-way accommodations) in the Sales Tax H shared projects with the County. 2 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION, MARCH 29, 2021 Councilmember Graham asked how many homes would be affected by the improvements. Mr. Freeman believed it would affect 12 homes (4 owner-occupied, and 8 rentals). Mr. Freeman said he would defer to the City to answer questions related to utilities located on the east side of the street. DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE PUBLIC SAFETY TAX City Administrator Steve Crowell presented an overview of his memo to the Mayor and City Council regarding the Public Safety Tax. After the presentation, the City Council discussed: 1. The proposed ballot language and decision deadline for the tax. a. Mr. Crowell reminded Councilmembers of the May 25, 2021 ballot certification deadline. The last City Council meeting before the deadline is May 18, 2021. The effective date if passed is January 1, 2022. b. Councilmembers Hensley, Wiseman, and Graham all agreed that both Sales Tax H and the Public Safety Tax are vitally important and should both b e on the August 3, 2021 ballot. Councilmember Wiseman mentioned that there is also a cost savings of having both taxes on one ballot. c. Councilmember Fitzwater expressed his concern with two tax issues on the same ballot. He would like to know more specifics on what the public safety tax revenue would fund so the public can be educated before they vote. Councilmembers Kemna and Lester agreed that both taxes are necessary, but are concerned with both on the same ballot. d. The City Council asked Mr. Crowell if he has the authority to do have a follow-up salary study conducted, or if the City Council would need to take action to authorize the study. Mr. Crowell indicated that he does have the authority with the understanding from City Council that the cost would come from salary savings. 2. Time period of the tax, i.e. perpetual (ongoing) or sunset (ending after a specified period of time). a. City Staff surveyed Missouri cities of comparable sizes on their public safety tax and whether or not the taxes sunset. b. Most of the cities do not have a sunset, of the 19 cities surveyed, one has a sales tax sunset for capital expenditures which was for 20 years. 3. Projected uses of anticipated revenues from the tax. 3 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION, MARCH 29, 2021 a. While the specifics do not need to be determined before deciding if the tax will be on the ballot, it will be important to come to a general determination sooner rather than later so the public can be educated before they vote. b. The general consensus seemed to be that the revenues should fund salaries, body cameras, and supplement the current public safety budgets. c. Councilmember Graham said it is important that the FOP, Local 671, Fire Chief, Police Chief, City Council and Staff would work together on determining projected uses. Bill 2020-062 is currently on the informal calendar. Mayor Tergin indicated that it will likely be taken up at the April 5th City Council meeting. PUBLIC COMMENT There was no public comment. ADJOURNMENT A motion to adjourn was made by Councilmember Wiseman, seconded by Councilmember Graham, and approved unanimously at 6:53 P.M.