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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-05-02 Council Minutes - Budget Work SessionKENAI CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORK SESSION MAY 2, 2000 KENAI COUNCIL CHAMBERS 7:00 P.M. Council present: Bookey, Williams, Porter, Frazer, Swarner, Moore and Bannock Staff present: Freas, Ross, Semmens, Graves, Kornelis, Frates, Jankowska, Morris, Wichman, Cronkhite, Kelso and La Shot Williams noted requests had been made to revisit the Police Department budget and to review an additional position request justification report from the Library, but to delay the discussion of the Library until members of the Library Commission arrived. Ross stated he understood justifications were to be put together for half-time, full-time and elevation from half-time to full-time, but not for the evening's work session. He added, he understood they would proceed with the hours' change and if that didn't satisfy the need, then consider the employee position.. Ross added, he had not discussed a position change with the Director. Several of the council members understood it would be discussed. Police Department Budget: Swarner noted information from JIA in regard to grant funds available for purchase of bullet-proof vests and asked if the Police Department was in need for additional vests. Chief Morris reported the Department had applied for the grant and received funding to purchase vests. All the officers received vests through the grant except for himself and Lt. Kohler who already had vests. They could participate in the grant again. Swarner asked if there was other equipment needed in the Department and Morris answered, with the two new vehicles they were in good shape. He also noted there were breathailizers for each of the officers. The remaining budgets were reviewed. Recreation Budget: Director Frates reviewed the budget with council and noted professional services and utilities were increased due to the multi -purpose facility as well as costs for port -a -potties. Williams noted he learned, through a discussion with an HEA representative, that they had experienced a massive decrease in wholesale power and would be forwarding a letter to Williams outlining the expected decrease. Moore questioned whether there was a possibility the parking lot at the multipurpose facility would be paved. Ross reported estimates received were $127,000 for the Challenger/multipurpose facility and $38,000 for the Challenger. It was noted the Challenger may be able to pay for their paving, however there were no funds included in the budget for paving the multipurpose facility. Discussion followed regarding the possibility of a break in paving costs due to the State paving projects in the area. There were no changes to the budget as presented. BUDGET WORK SESSION MAY 212000 1 Page 2 of 5 Parks Budget: Frates explained, the $17,650 for a commercial front mower should be moved from Beautification to the Parks budget. Discussion followed regarding the water/ sewer costs for city parks and it was noted the amount of $4,800 was estimated and included in the Parks budget. In regard to vehicles, Frates explained several pick- ups would be rented as it was more cost effective than purchasing used vehicles. Frates also reported his department was reviewing dipnet fishing concerns and would be making some recommendations, including some for the south side of the river. Move the funding for the commercial mower from Beautification to Parks. No other changes. Beautification Budget: Frates noted an increase in salaries for an additional seasonable employee. Discussion followed regarding the daily cost for running the greenhouse (employee salaries, supplies, time, etc.) and whether having the greenhouse was cost effective. Frates explained he believed it was cost effective as flowers were very expensive, plus they have been able to grow types of plants not supplied by the local commercial greenhouses. The efforts of the volunteers who help in working in the greenhouse, planting, weeding, etc. were also acknowledged. Move the funding for the commercial mower from Beautification to Parks. No other changes. SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS The "Recap of Special Revenue Funds" was reviewed. Ross explained, if enough points were not received for the Mission Street water/ sewer concerns, the project would have to go forward without grant funding. An estimated cost of the project was stated as $1001000. Water/Sewer Fund -- Water Budget: Public Works Manager Kornelis reported increases were included for professional services and communications (for scanning Autocad entries and SCADA phone line) . It was also noted the cost of the steam generator was expected to be less than what was budgeted and that the old one could not be used again as it would not be certified by the state inspector. There were no changes to the budget as presented. Water/ Sewer Fund -- Sewer Budget: Kornelis noted half of the cost of the generator was included in this budget. It was also explained the camera included in the budget would allow inspection of larger pipes. There were no changes to the budget as presented. BUDGET WORK SESSION MAY 212000 Page 3 of 5 Sewer Treatment Plant: It was noted professional services was increased to accommodate for the new testing processes required. There were no changes to the budget as presented. BREAK TAKEN: 8:00 P.M. BACK TO ORDER: 8:12 P.M. Airport Land System/M8a0: Airport Manager Cronkhite explained the budget was fairly flat. It was noted rent revenue from the Float Plane Basin was expected to be about $1,000. Cronkhite also noted they were working on attracting people to use the tie -downs at the airport and a brochure of what the facilities has to offer was being distributed. Discussion followed regarding repairing, paving, stairs replacement/removal, etc. Cronkhite explained she was developing a four-year plan for paving, repairs, etc. and added, if the stairs in the front of the building (which had been cordoned off to prohibit people from entering) are repaired, they would have to meet ADA requirements. She noted, the $40,000 included in the budget would be used for those stairs, curbs, and other paving at the front of the terminal. Williams stated he wanted to make it very clear, he wanted the door and stairs fixed or removed. There were no changes to the budget as presented. Airport Land System/Airport Administration -- Cronkhite noted the budget was mostly the same other than small increases in Miscellaneous and Office Supplies. There were no changes to the budget as presented. Airport Land System/Airport Land -- Cronkhite noted Professional Services was increased by $25,000 and of that, $20,000 would be used to pay a portion of the Comprehensive Plan costs. There were no changes to the budget as presented. Airport Terminal Fund -- No changes were made to this budget as presented. Boating Facility -- Kornelis reported there was no depreciation included in this budget since it was to be changed from an Enterprise Fund to a Special Revenue Fund. Discussion followed regarding the number of port -a -potties used in different areas of the city by different departments and whether the city purchasing the facilities would be thriftier. It was noted the cost of the maintaining, removing, placing, pumping, etc. would be expensive in manpower as well as time use. BUDGET WORK SESSION MAY 2, 2000 Page 4 of 5 Senior Citizens Title III/Home Meals -- Discussion took place in regard to decreasing this budget by $3,000 and was pointed out to do that, it would decrease funds available for meals. It was suggested that funds to replace those decreased could come from the General Find due to a prior council direction allowing that to be done after $500,000 was in the fund. A transfer of $3,000 was approved to Title III from the General Fund. Borough Grant Fund -- No changes. Title V Grant Fund-- No changes. Congregate Housing Budget -- It was reported, the current manager had submitted a resignation and the position was being advertised. Other than replacing transformers, zone valves, etc., Kelso reported there were no real big problems at the housing facility. Kelso noted, $4,000 was included in the budget to rawhide the front of the facility. There were no changes to the budget presented. Debt Service Funds -- No changes. Land Sales Trust Funds -- No changes. Chart of Accounts -- There was a brief discussion regarding the replacement and building maintenance schedules. No changes to the information presented. Library Budget -- Jankowska reviewed her justification for the additional employee discussed at the previous work session, i.e. scheduling difficulties, involvement with electronic services, and enhancing library services in general. A lengthy discussion followed in which council discussed the quality of life for the citizens of the community and how the library is a portion of the quality of life; how the services have continued with less funding; how the city has grown in technical, physical and services to the people, but the number of employees had been cut, etc. Council determined not to add an employee. No changes to the budget presented. CLERK BUDGET -- The overall budget was $4,000 less than last year's budget. It was noted the record management program contractor costs was an unknown as it was an increased function to the department, however council was aware that the Clerk could approach them if additional funding was needed. BUDGET WORK SESSION MAY 212000 l Page 5 of 5 There were no changes to the budget presented. LEGISLATIVE BUDGET -- It was noted the $800 donation for the Library Holiday Open House had been included in the library's budget. Discussion took place on the funds included for the volunteer reception. It was noted that if next year's reception is similar to the one given this year, with the change from hors devours to picnic food, the cost would escalate from the $500 included in the budget. The Employee Appreciation Dinner was also discussed briefly and it was suggested the council take a bigger part in the dinner, i.e. serving. There were no changes to the budget presented. BUDGET ORDINANCE: Mayor Williams reminded council the budget ordinance would be introduced at the May 17 council meeting and before council for public hearing on June 7. He added, he would then do the "State of the City" presentation at Chamber on June 7. The work session ended at approximately 10:36 p.m. Notes prepared and submitted by: Carol L. Freas