HomeMy Public PortalAboutCouncil Minutes 2001 07/07MINUTES
McCall City Council
Special Meeting
Thursday, July 7, 2001
Table of Contents
Call To Order and Roll Call
Business
Adjournment
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City Council Minutes
Mayor Muller called the special meeting of the McCall City Council to order at 9:15 pm.
Ms. Arp, Mr. Muller, Mr. Colton, Mr. Eimers, and Mr. Venable answered roll call. A
quorum was present. City staff members present were City Manager Robert Strope
and Finance Director/City Clerk Cathleen Koch.
Council reviewed the draft budget for fiscal year 2002.
The discussion surrounded health insurance increases, management transfers, the golf
course, and capital projects.
Mr. Eimers said the methodology of the management transfers must be based upon
time, not total budget dollars. He also stated that only Finance, City Manager and a
portion of the Network Administrator should be included in the calculation.
Council discussed capping the rates for health insurance and charging employees for
dependents. The idea of using the PERSI gain sharing money to cover increased
costs was also considered. Mr. Strope explained the impact of changing the coverage
and cost to employees if rates were capped.
Council recessed at 11:05 am. The meeting reconvened at 11:15 am.
Council discussed the capital projects included in each budget. The step screen and
money for a reserve fund for the DEQ loan were both removed from the budget in the
sewer fund.
Other topics included:
· All special revenue
funds were given property tax increases to offset
management transfers.
· A discussion of whether $24,000 is enough to fund the City's share for McPaws.
Mr. Strope said staff was asking for a portion of the 3% property tax increase to
fund another $8,600 for McPaws.
· The Police Department applied for another SRO grant. The match will be $7,000
over the next 3 years. The school board has signed on for a major portion of the
$7,000. Mr. Strope said an agreement would address the match portion.
· A skate park was included in the budget. Ms. Arp asked what the school districts
participation is for the skate park. Mr. Peckham said they were going to provide
land at one time, but he's unsure how they will participate now.
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· Council asked Mr. Peckham for clarification on what programs could be offered
with gymnastics privatizing. He said that the department could diversify by doing
things such as arts and crafts projects and trips to Boise.
· The Library has planned to use a portion of the 3 % property tax increase
towards the purchase the Fire Department building. Mr. Strope said he owes
Council more detail on the use of the building.
· Merit and COLA increases were explained.
Council recessed at 12:30 pm. The meeting reconvened at 12:45 pm.
Council continued to discuss the budget in general.
· Council discussed that the Golf Course cannot budget all revenue. Staff was
directed to reduce expenses by $90,000.
· Mr. Simmonds explained that standardized and updated software is required to
keep up with technology and licensing requirements. He also noted that the City
needs at least two servers. Mr. Eimers asked if staff was being cut to fund
higher technological costs. Mr. Simmonds said that had already been done by
combining the Clerk and Treasurer positions.
· Mr. Strope explained that there's no fat in the budget presented to Council. Mr.
Eimers said this is not a time to be padding the budget when we're heading into
a recession.
· Council decided not to cap health insurance. They will make a decision at the
following meeting.
· Staff was directed to remove the foregone property taxes from the budget.
Council also decided to remove the $75,000 for streetscape improvements.
· Ms. Arp asked what the City could do with $35,000 for parking. Mr. Kirkpatrick
said business owners are looking into an LID or BID.
· Council agreed to allow Mr. Strope to use $4,000 of their contingency in the
current year for paving and parking at City Hall.
Changes in the budget included:
· Recalculate management transfers
· Review health insurance and look into other options
· Place $75,000 into a reserve account for streetscape improvements, but remove
it from the budget
· Add $100,000 in contingent revenues and expenses to Council's budget
· Add $125,000 for Mill Park, but remove it from the current year's budget
· Find $50,000 worth of cuts in the general fund and place it in Council's
contingency
· Move the $46,000 for insurance from Council to City Manager
· Move the $2,000 for contingency from City Manager to Council
· Move the $7,000 for Valley County Court Services from the Police Department to
Council
· Reduce attorney expenses to $50,000
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· Remove the engineering expenses
· Decease Golf Course costs by $90,000
· Move the $46,000 for Franchise Fees into an investment account
· Remove the $200,000 for a step screen from the sewer fund
· Place $48,000 into a reserve account for the DEQ loan, but remove it from the
budget
Without further business, Mr. Eimers moved to adjourn. Mr. Venable seconded
the motion. All Council Members voted aye. The motion carried. The Council
adjourned at 3:40 pm.
ATTEST:
A-I~n I~uller, Mayor
Cat't't't'~leen A. Koch, Finance DirectodCity Clerk
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