HomeMy Public PortalAboutCouncil Minutes 2000 08/05MINUTES
McCall City Council
Special Meeting
Thursday, August 5, 2000
Table of Contents
Call To Order and Roll Call
Business
Adjournment
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CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Muller called the special meeting of the McCall City Council to order at 9:05am.
Ms. Arp, Mr. Muller, Mr. Eimers, and Mr. Venable answered roll call. A quorum was
present. City staff members present were City Manager Robert Strope, City Clerk
Cathleen Koch, and City Treasurer Ashley Royal. It was noted that Mr. Colton would be
about a half hour late.
BUSINESS
AB 00-80 Fiscal -Year 2000 Budget Amendment
Mr. Strope presented the budget amendment for the current year. He explained that
there would not be an increase in the appropriation. The Recreation Department is still
showing an overrun, but will have a reduction in their payroll budget.
Mr. Eimers asked if capital or depreciation was showing. Mr. Royal stated that capital
was showing.
The Golf Department is over $300,000 in the negative, but is catching up quickly
because they are reaching the end of the season. Mr. Strope explained that the
$30,000 in legal expenses caused the Golf Department to have a $40,000 deficit. Mr.
Eimers said that Mr. Robertson was supposed to work on the Golf Fund. He would like
Mr. Strope to focus on the deficit problem.
Ms. Arp asked why lift station 11 had not been done yet. Mr. Strope said that it's not
ready, but believes it's in the budget for the ensuing year.
Mr. Eimers pointed out that the revenue in the water fund should be $1.6 million and not
$1.4 million, which would result in a gain for the fund, not a loss.
Mr. Eimers moved to approve the amended budget with the changes in the water
fund revenues being close to $1.6 million and not $1.4 million. Mr. Muller
seconded the motion. At a roll call vote, Mr. Eimers, Mr. Muller, Ms. Arp and Mr.
Venable voted aye. The motion carried.
Ms. Arp moved to adopt Resolution 00-16. Mr. Eimers seconded the motion. At a
roll call vote, Mr. Eimers, Mr. Muller, Ms. Arp and Mr. Venable voted aye. The
motion carried.
Mr. Eimers stated that the Recreation Department overran their budget this year. He
stated that they would not be overrunning their budget for the coming year. Mr. Strope
confirmed that it would not happen.
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Mr. Colton arrived at 9:25 am.
AB 00-81 Fiscal -Year 2001 Budget Workshop
Mr. Strope presented an overview on slides of the drafted budget for fiscal year 2001.
He pointed out that if Council does not include the property tax increase in the tentative
budget, then their hands would be tied if they decide more funds are needed after the
public hearing. He also stated that the property tax numbers were estimates. Any
changes were not projected to be significant.
The recommended budget for fiscal year 2001 still requires some expenditure
reductions. The tentative budget will be set at this meeting with formal approval
expected at the August 10th Council meeting.
Mr. Strope pointed out a summary sheet of changes showing what was requested and
what was put in the budget. Ms. Arp asked if a cost of living allowance, merit, and
insurance increases was included in the budget. Mr. Strope said that a 3% COLA, 5%
merit, and 12% benefit increase was included in the budget figures. Ms. Arp said that
the City needed to look at health benefit changes. Mr. Muller said the only choices
would be higher deductibles or a different provider. Mr. Strope is reviewing the
insurance benefits. Mr. Colton asked if the City spent the entire self-insurance fund.
Mr. Strope said that the City budgeted $11,000 last year and only spent $8,000. Mr.
Colton suggested possibly raising the deductible and using the self-insurance fund.
Recreation Department
Mr. Strope said that the Recreation Department's budget shows a reduction in items so
that the staff is not decreased. He explained that any self sustaining program could be
brought to Council during the year. Mr. Muller asked if the fees must cover the cost of
the program. Mr. Strope confirmed that was accurate. Ms. Arp asked how the City
decides what is subsidized. Mr. Eimers said that the first year a program for the
Recreation Department would not be subsidized.
Ms. Arp asked why staffing was down from $111,000 to $83,000. Mr. Strope stated
that seasonal employees would be eliminated.
Ms. Arp asked how the teams would be funded. Mr. Peckham recommended a parents
committee taking over softball and little league with the City's equipment. Bob
Peckham would still run the adult softball league because it's easier to run. Little
League takes more time and effort.
Mr. Colton asked what the requested budget would have done for the Recreation
Department instead of the recommended budget. Mr. Strope stated what programs
would be funded with the budget.
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Ms. Arp would like increased programs for the community. Mr. Eimers wants a
balanced budget. Ms. Arp was concerned that kids would be excluded from programs if
parents were running the programs. Mr. Peckham believes that the parents involved
would allow all kids to play. Ms. Arp said that Council has the option of putting more
money in the budget with property taxes.
Ms. Arp also pointed out that utilities were budgeted for $3,400 this year and only at
$2,800 next year. Mr. Strope stated that if a department overruns in one area, they will
under run in another.
Ms. Arp asked how the City could avoid funding the Pump -out Station. Mr. Peckham
said that it wasn't put back in his budget.
Library
Ms. Arp asked why the utilities were down for the library. Gloria Cantrell stated that a
new furnace was built and the bills should decrease.
Ms. Arp questioned where the cleaning and custodial charges were put into the budget.
Mr. Strope stated that the expenditures are in the City Manager budget.
Ms. Arp asked where the City stood on the Library expansion. Ms. Cantrell pointed out
that $100 had been allocated for advertising.
Council recessed at 11:30pm. The meeting reconvened at 11:50pm.
Police Department
Mr. Strope explained that he is unhappy with the cellular phone service throughout the
City. He will be looking into possibilities. The Police Department is showing a large
increase in automobile maintenance. They wanted to buy more cars, but there's not
enough money in the budget. Ms. Arp said that she was concerned with not rotating
the cars. The City will fall behind if they don't continue to rotate the vehicles. Mr. Muller
asked if the vehicles could be maintained in-house instead of outsourcing the
maintenance cheaper. Council would like to see the vehicles put back in the budget.
Mr. Strope will try to get the Police Department at least one additional vehicle.
Ms. Arp asked why overtime was being projected if the Police Department has an
additional officer instead of an SRO. Jim Kangas said that incidents have increased in
the community and the detectives have been patrolling. The Police Department is
hoping that with two extra patrolmen they can take vacations and reduce overtime. The
Police Department also lost $55,000 in revenue by giving up the SRO position.
Mr. Colton pointed out that additional property taxes would help fund an additional
vehicle for the Police Department. Mr. Eimers said that money may already be
available in the budget.
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Golf Course Department
Council asked about the significant increase in marketing at the Golf Course. Mr.
Eimers stated that if the City spends more money on marketing, then the City should
also receive additional revenue. Council would like to break even at the Golf Course
next year. Mr. Strope is not sure that the Golf Fund can be balanced. He is concerned
that the vast majority of equipment at the Golf Course has been fully depreciated. Mr.
Eimers asked when the Clubhouse and irrigation system would be paid off. Mr. Strope
said that it would be 20 years.
Mr. Strope stated that the contracts and fee structure needed to be looked at closely.
Council endorsed Dan Pillard's authority to oversee the contracts.
Parks Department
The Parks Department will be taking over the weed control from Valley County. Ms.
Arp asked what the County was doing in reference to other cities such as Cascade and
what McCall gets for their taxes. Mr. Pillard pointed out that the City would receive a
grant from the County for equipment for specialized work that can be used on the Golf
Course.
Mr. Colton would like the Merry Go Round in the park fixed. Mr. Pillard said that it's
already being worked on.
Airport
Mr. Strope stated that a plan was in place to cover the Airport deficit. He pointed out
that the Airport Manager's salary was not included in the Public Works Department for
the next year.
Ms. Arp asked how the percentages for property taxes were calculated. Mr. Strope
stated that he worked backwards to get the percentage.
Mr. Rowe said that tie down and fuel flowage fees were hard to predict. He was
conservative in his estimate. He also stated that he was considering an advanced 20-
year payment from a hanger in order to finance paving at the Airport.
Council recessed at 12:25pm. The meeting reconvened at 12:35pm.
Streets Department
Mr. Strope began by saying money was not available for Mission Street overlaying. Ms.
Arp pointed out that if the City does not do the overlaying, then it loses something it
already invested in. Stibnite and Fairway were included in the budget for overlaying of
$50,000. Mr. Colton pointed out that other areas were more of a priority than Fairway.
Mr. Strope will look at the budget to see what can be done instead of Fairway.
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Public Works Department
No questions from Council.
Water Department
Mr. Eimers stated publicly what a wonderful job Mr. Keating and his staff was doing.
Council asked when Wisehart was to be paid off. Mr. Royal responded with November
of 2001 for $86,000 to $87,000.
Sewer Department
Mr. Strope stated that he was not sure $645,000 in revenue was accurate for
connection fees. Lift Station 11 will carry forward $90,000. Mr. Strope will do additional
work in the Sewer Fund. It may have a deficit balance.
St. Clair does not have a good schedule for J-Ditch. J-U-B Engineers has issued a
letter to St. Clair saying they are withholding payment until they receive an acceptable
schedule. Mr. Strope has scheduled a meeting with George Wagner to discuss. More
equipment is being brought in next week. Mr. Bieter reviewed the drafted letter to St.
Clair and said that it is acceptable.
Finance Department
Some confusion may have resulted from the City Clerk being pulled out of the Finance
Department's budget. The receptionist will be retained until the end of October. Ms.
Arp believes that the position should be dedicated and not combined with finance. She
asked if the significant functions could be completed with the Treasurer and 2 or 3 staff
members.
Computer support has been moved to a staff position.
Software and support has been a problem in the Finance Department. Staff has had to
redo work because of the problems.
City Clerk Department
A sound system for Council has been included in the budget. The Receptionist position
is included in the un-financed requirements list.
Community Development Department
Mr. Strope stated that he wanted to publicly commend Lindley Kirkpatrick for getting
him on board and up to speed.
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Ms. Arp asked if there was a grant available for a City Parcel Map. Mr. Kirkpatrick said
that a map is needed. The City needs accurate maps to plan for improvements. Ms.
Arp asked why parking was more important than a map. Mr. Kirkpatrick explained that
parking is an investment and a map is for operations.
City Manager Department
Mr. Strope explained that he cut the public relations portion from his budget. He had
planned to include money for town hall meetings, refreshments and awards.
Council would like a newsletter. Mr. Strope will find money in the budget to create a
newsletter.
Mayor and Council Department
Council was glad that the Contingency was in their budget and not the City Manager's
budget. Ms. Arp believes that it's more acceptable to the public in the Council budget.
GENERAL DISCUSSION FOR BUDGET WORKSHOP
Mr. Strope said that he would like Council's endorsement of the Un-financed
Requirements List. Council agreed to endorse the list.
Council requested Mr. Strope to reevaluate the City's insurance. It may be a possibility
to go back to ICRMP.
Mr. Strope stated that $35,000 in expenditure reductions would have to be identified.
He will also identify as many dollars as possible in the Golf and Sewer Funds, but it
may not be possible to balance the budget.
ADJOURNMENT
Without further business, Ms. Arp moved to adjourn. Mr. Muller seconded the
motion. All Council Members voted aye. The motion carried. The Council
adjourned at 2:00pm.
ATTEST:
Cathleen A. Koch, it lerk
All n Muller, Mayor
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