Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-08-10 354 MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COMMISSION BOZEMAN, MONTANA August 10, 1988 ************************ The Commission of the City of Bozeman met in special session in the Conference Room, Municipal Building, August 10, 1988, at 10:00 a.m. Present were Mayor Stiff, Commissioner Hawks, Commissioner Vant Hull, Commissioner Martel, Commissioner Goehrung, City Manager I Wysocki and Clerk of the Commission Sullivan. The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence. Signing of Notice of Special Meeting The Mayor requested that each of the Commissioners sign the Notice of Special Commission Meeting. It was moved by Commissioner Hawks, seconded by Commissioner Vant Hull, that the Com- mission waive the Commissioners' salaries for this meeting as established in Ordinance No. 1137. The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote: those voting Aye being Commis- sioner Hawks, Commissioner Vant Hull, Commissioner Martel, Commissioner Goehrung and Mayor Stiff; those voting No, none. Work Session - Budget for Fiscal Year 1988-89 Mayor Stiff stated the purpose of this special Commission meeting is to review the City Manager's recommendations for the budget for Fiscal Year 1988-89. The Commission continued to review the City Manager's recommendations for the budget, as follows. The City Manager noted that the Commission has reviewed the recommended budget during three work sessions to date. He stated information has just been distributed to the Commission concerning the Commissioners' salaries, in response to a question raised by Commissioner Hawks I during the Monday work session. Mayor Stiff stated that he has just had an opportunity to discuss the City's books with Administrative Services Director Gamradt. He noted that the financial information contained in his memo distributed to the Commission on Monday was not totally accurate; however, he feels the concept should be discussed at a future date. City Manager Wysocki noted a question was raised about paying the City Judge a monthly sa lary and paying a substitute judge in addition. He indicated research shows that the City Judge does not receive vacation or sick leave; however, his pay is not docked when he does not se rve . He noted that a substitute judge is paid, however, on those days when the Judge is ab- sent. He suggested that if severe abuse occurs in this area, the City may need to research methods of addressing the situation. The Commission then reviewed the various budget units, as follows. Senior Citizens' Center. No monies have been budgeted this year, or in past years, for salaries. The City Manager indicated that those persons employed at the Senior Center are paid through other sources of monies, generally involving federal and state monies. He cautioned that if those programs are eliminated at some time in the future, the City may be asked to fund those positions. He noted this is basically the same operations budget as last year's. Parks and Playgrounds. The amount budgeted for salaries includes one additional quarter- time seasonal position. The City Manager stated that the youth program is utilized in the sum- mer as much as possible, noting that option provides the most help for the amount of monies available. I The City Manager stated that the amount budgeted for repair and maintenance of equip- ment includes one-half of the costs of major repairs to the two large lawn mowers. Repair and maintenance of buildings has been increased to cover the costs of reroofing the Bogert pavilion as well as repairs and maintenance of some of the restrooms in the parks. The amount budgeted for water and sewer has dropped dramatically because some of the parks now have wells for irri- gation, thus eliminating use of City water supply. The City Manager stated that the use of wells rather than the City water supply may result in additional electrical costs; and that line item may be too low in this budget unit. 08-10-88 Special 355 Commissioner Martel asked how long it will take to recover the costs of drilling the wells in the parks. City Manager Wysocki indicated that if only the direct costs are considered, it would take about four years. He noted, however, that items such as the decrease in demand on the water treatment plant capacity should be considered as well. Commissioner Hawks asked if water usage in the parks is monitored or metered. I Administrative Services Director Gamradt stated that three of the parks are currently me- tered, with the water being billed through the meter. He noted that water for the remaining parks is billed on a per-acre basis as established by the Public Service Commission; and those costs must be paid whether the water is used or not. Commissioner Hawks stated he would like to see monies for another position, in the form of seasonal help, budgeted in this budget unit. He noted that the City is not only responsible for maintenance of the buildings and equipment, but of the grounds as well. Commissioner Martel stated concurrence, noting that neglect of the trees and City grounds has been one of his concerns as well. Commissioner Goehrung noted that Missoula has implemented a tree maintenance program, utilizing a city-wide tree maintenance and charging individual properties an additional $10 for every tree maintained. City Manager Wysocki noted that a tree maintenance district should be established on a city-wide basis. He then suggested that in those areas where there are no trees, the district could also include planting of trees. He also noted that if a tree maintenance program is to be implemented, additional full-time personnel will be required. He stated that the income from such a program would offset those additional costs. During discussion, each of the Commissioners expressed support for creating a tree main- tenance district to protect this community asset. I n response to a question from Commissioner Hawks, the City Manager indicated that the staff would need to review the process for creation of a tree maintenance district. I Administrative Services Director Gamradt cautioned that a method of assessment must be developed, which will require gathering of accurate data concerning the linear frontages or square footages of each lot within the district. He noted that will take an extensive amount of time, even if someone is assigned that specific task. Commissioner Vant Hull suggested that a park reservation fee be established to help off- set the costs of maintaining the parks. Cemetery. The City Manager stated that the other half of the costs for repair and main- tenance of the large mowers is included under repair and maintenance of equipment. He noted that the costs for irrigation of the 48.75 acres of cemetery property are high. He also noted that some of the water lines to the cemetery are not adequate and need to be replaced. Mayor Stiff asked if it would be possible to go back to the same test well and drill deeper. The City Manager stated it would be possible; however, it might be more advantageous to consider another location. He noted that the hospital and Hillcrest have drilled wells; and it might be better to drill in another location in hopes of finding the vein that those wells are in. He indicated the wells in that area must be at least 250 feet deep to find adequate water. City Manager Wysocki stated that $1,000 has been budgeted under machinery and equip- ment for chain link fence material, to be installed along the cemetery. He noted that this same amount was budgeted last year; and a portion of the Sweet Pea contribution was for fencing. He stated that future budgets wi II also contain a simi lar amount until the area has been complet- ely fenced. I Commissioner Hawks stated that Sweet Pea had a successful year; and the committee is seeking projects for those monies. He noted any suggestions should be forwarded to them as soon as possible. Commissioner suggestions included the bandshell, drilling of an exploratory well and improvement of the restroom facilities at Lindley Park. Library. Three classification changes in professional personnel have resulted in a sub- stantial increase in the salaries portion of this budget unit. The repair and maintenance of buildings has increased, due to the beginning of a five-year program for painting of the facility. Also, the carpet in the lobby is to be replaced under this line item. The amount budgeted for 08-10-88 Special 356 books has increased by $3,000. It is anticipated the same amount of books will be purchased as has been in the past; and the increase in funding is due to the increase in costs. Mayor Stiff expressed concern that the amount budgeted for salaries has increased 20 percent over the past two fiscal years; however, the library is not open any more hours. City Manager Wysocki reminded the Commission that many of the part-time employees at the library were paid very low salaries; and those salaries have been raised during the past two years in accordance with the comparative schedule completed a few years ago. He noted that I over $10,000 of this budget unit is attributable to those adjustments. The Commissioners concurred that some method should be found for keeping the facility open more hours. They recognized the substantial amount of work which is done by volunteers, suggesting that possibly more of the work could be done through that effort. The City Manager suggested that the Commissioners meet with the Library Board of Trus- tees to discuss various options for keeping the library open more hours. Emergency Preparedness. This budget unit includes monies for telephone and electricity charges to cover the operation of three sirens for the emergency preparedness program. The amount budgeted is very similar to that of past years. Annual Audit. The amount budgeted under this item is for that portion of the audit costs which are attributed to the general fund. The remaining portion of the audit costs are budgeted under the enterprise funds. Snow Removal. The City Manager stated the monies in this budget unit cover the costs of enforcing the ordinance for sidewalk snow removal. Commissioner Martel expressed concern that this budget is for more than $10,000 whi Ie the revenues are approximately $5,000, and questioned why the general taxpayer should be re- quired to subsidize this type of activity. City Manager Wysocki stated that the City is responsible only for maintenance, contract- ing the actual snow removal which must be done. He noted the actual costs are then charged to the property owner plus a $20 civi I penalty. Commissioner Martel stated he feels the City could utilize equipment currently in the Park I Department for sidewalk snow removal during the winter. He noted that enforcement of the or- dinance covers a forty-eight hour period; and the City could have the snow cleared off all side- walks in the city within that timeframe under a maintenance program. He suggested that a main- tenance assessment could be charged for a City snow removal program. City Manager Wysocki stated most cities are looking at reductions in services or finding alternatives, and expressed concern that this Commission is discussing expansion of services. Zoning and Community Development. The City Manager reminded the Commission that this is the second year for this budget unit, noting that the building inspection, zoning and commun- ity development, and planning functions have been combined in one department with the specific divisions being budgeted separately. He noted that as a result of this reorganization, some of the items being budgeted have been shifted to more accurately reflect the costs involved. He stated that this budget unit contains a $2,500 transfer to cover the City's cash contribution for the historic preservation program. He reminded the Commission that this expenditure was auth- orized by the Commission at the time they approved the application for $7,500 in a State grant for this program. Commissioner Hawks noted that during the last work session he has questioned where up- dating of the zone code might be most appropriately budgeted; and the response was that this would be the best. He stated the master plan update must be completed before the zone code update process is started; however, he anticipates the process could begin by the end of this fiscal year. He also asked where the funding for this item could be found. The City Manager stated that the planner who had been working on the master plan up- I date has just submitted his resignation; therefore, that process will probably be slowed by sev- eral months. He suggested that if an amount is to be budgeted for update of the zone code in this budget, it would be most appropriately reflected under contracted services. He indicated that if a person is to be hired to accomplish this update, those monies could then be transferred to salaries through a budget amendment. Commissioner Vant Hull left the meeting at 11 :50 a.m. City Manager Wysocki then suggested that rather than budget for an update of the zone code at this time, the Commission may wish to consider a budget amendment to transfer monies -..! 08-10-88 Special 357 into this budget unit later in the year, after the master plan update is completed. Following discussion, the Commissioners concurred they would prefer to budget for updat- ing of the zone code at this time, recognizing the process may not be started until Fiscal Year 1989-90. Commissioner Hawks expressed concern that updating of the master plan has taken such a long time. I The City Manager reminded the Commission that on an average, three out of four people living in Bozeman now won't be in five years. He noted that such a constant turnover results in constant changes in planning. He indicated those take time to sort out, which results in a long updating process. City Manager Wysocki suggested that if the Commission prefers, it could budget monies for updating of the zone code under contracted services in its own budget unit. He noted the monies could then be transferred to this budget unit through a budget amendment if the process could be started during this fiscal year. He stated this would ensure the Commission's authority over spending of the monies. I n response to the question of funding, the City Manager suggested that $5,000 be trans- ferred from contracted services under the Police Department to contracted services in this bud- get unit. He stated that amount had been budgeted to cover the costs of prisoner care in re- sponse to a letter from the County. He noted that a subsequent court system response has re- versed that requirement; therefore, those monies are not necessary. The Commission concurred in the proposed change; and that change is to be reflected in the tentative appropriation ordinance. Mayor Stiff noted this was the last work session schedule; and the Commission is only halfway through the City Manager's recommendations. Following a brief discussion, the Commission set the next work session for 8: 00 p.m. on Monday, August 15. They also tentatively set a work session for Wednesday morning if neces- sary. I Adjournment - 12:16 p.m. There being no further business to come before the Commission at this time, it was moved by Commissioner Goehrung, seconded by Commissioner Martel, that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote: those voting Aye being Commissioner Goehrung, Commissioner Martel, Commissioner Hawks and Mayor Stiff; those voting No, none. ALFRED M. STIFF, Mayor ATTEST: ROBIN L. SULLIVAN Clerk of the Commission I 08-10-88 Special