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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-04-22 Council Minutes - Budget Work Session• BUDGET WORK SESSION APRIL. 22,1998 KENAI SENIOR CENTER 9:00 P.1N. FJ__i_.1�_1T_V.T1 a. COLA Increase b. Personnel Changes 1. Library Assistant (20-hour part-time). 2. Library Department Aosistant 1 to Library Assistant 1. 3. Finance Department Receptionist/cashier from part-time to full- time. 4. Public Works Department -- Two Public Works Manager Positions. S. Other C. Finance Department - New computer system. d. Animal Control -- Rent and pick-up truck purchase. e. Street Department - Asphalt Recycler L Parks Department - New park and tractor purchase. a. City Clerk b. Legislative C. Legal d. City Manager e. Finance. L Land Administration g. Non -Departmental h. Planning & Zoning i. Safety j. Police k. r4 ire 1. Communications In. Animal Control n. Public Works Administration o. Shop P. Streets q. Buildings r. Street Lighting -1- • • S. Library t. Recreation U. Parks V. Beautification a.$i SPJIMM RRVIM,FUN___DS a. Water/ Sewer Fund b. Airport Land System Fund C. Senior Citizens Title III Grant Fund d. Senior Citizens Borough Grant Fund e. Senior Citizens Title V Grant Fund = 4: DEBT SERVICE REM a. Debt Service Funds Budgets IT 5: EIITERPRISE FUNDS a. Boating Facility Fund b. Airport Terminal Fund C. Congregate Housing Fund ITEMFIDUCIARY1 D,� a. Land Sales Trust Funds Budgets MUM ITEMS a. 4/7/98 memorandum from the Kenai Advisory Library Commission requesting budgeting of Sunday hours. b. 4/8/98 Budget Work Session Notes C. 4 / 3 / 98 Peratrovich, Nottingham & Drage, Inc. letter regarding Kenai River erosion problems..-- d. 4/ 16/98 L. Semmens memorandum regarding cost of pay increase for water/sewer personnel. e. KTUU-TV Station Programming and Rate Card Information. -2- IMNAI CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORK SESSION APRIL 229 1998 KENAI SENIOR CENTER 7:00 P.M. Cp,WCg,, rRgpZM: Williams, Bookey, Smalley, Bannock, Swarner, Moore and Measles. STAFF pg,EgENT: F�reas, Porter, Elson, La Shot, Graves, Semmens, Ross, Morris, DeForest, Young, Springer, Frates and Holland. OTHERS PRESENT: E. Claussen, L. Forbes, R. Malston, R. Godek, D. Lucas (Peninsula Clarion), M. Nelson, L. Oberts, W. Jahrig, and B. Peters. AdmioA l infosmstion: Mayor Williams noted there were two pieces of additional information: LIO notice regarding teleconference hearing for SB 292 (where language regarding Kenai Health Center would be included) and enter, marked a marked as Item 7f; cs and, 7g. proposed floor plan for CICADA's drug/ alcohol treatment Williams explained, he was asked by the director of CICADA that the city give • consideration to donating property on which their drug/alcohol treatment center could be built. Williams advised him the matter would have to be as a discussion d�tem on the ht to the council and Williams requested the matter be included May 6 council meeting agenda. When asked, Williams noted property along Marathon Road or by the Airport could be considered. He requested council review the floor plan and give some consideration of whether the city would want to participate by donating land. He noted, it did seem odd a new building would have to be built when that portion of the hospital formerly used for a similar operation, was sitting empty. CHp11 GES TO THE "Mk. There were no changes to the agenda presented. Ross noted, the budget document discussed a deficit of $504,000, if all revenues were received as projected and the budget is fully expended. The projections where they believe the lapses would lie were at $110,000. However, with changes from the dip net fishing costs and decrease recently noted to be made in Municipal Assistance, he suggested council should work from a deficit of $150,000. Also, if the bluff erosion grant is received, an additional $75,000 should be added to the budget as the city's match. He added, there were no funds included in the budget in regard to the golf KENAI CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORK SESSION April 22, 1998 Page 1 course properties or municipal matching grants for street maintenance. Ross added, when council discusses the municipal matching grants, he will ask them to consider saving a couple years of matching grants so that there will be enough to fund projects. Also, the Inlet Woods bond payment ($200,000) could be converted to this and then there would not be anything owing to the deficit or taken from operating to do a road maintenance program. He again noted, council should start with the $150,000 deficit and know that it could increase by another $150,000 during the year (as explained above). �.�s 1 VISITORS CENTER S1QD9RT REV gI PR�3ENT!)► ION Ross noted, the KVCC budget before them is not what was originally submitted. Ross explained, since 1991, the contract for professional services was $50,000 a year. For FY99, he is proposing the amount be increased $5,000 a year. He pointed out, miscellaneous was eliminated. The $10,000 which had been in miscellaneous over the years had been used for convention bureau promotions, etc. That amount was moved to professional services, bringing that total to $65,800. Ross continued, he was requesting this change in light of drafting a new contract (if the budget is approved by council), first reviewed by council and then by the KVCC. The new contract would remove some of ambiguities which have arisen in interpreting the current contract, i.e. including the cultural center/museum displays in the contract. Also, the convention bureau will be included and explained that it will be <; coordinating, managing those services, etc. Also to be included in the contract will be that minutes, annual reports and financial reporting will be required. Also, even though the KVCC does not come under the Open Meetings Act, that the meetings held in conjunction of carrying out of the contract, should be open to the public. Ross noted, the only other increase in the KVCC budget is under small tools for building display cases. The UV and humidification issue will be funded through the current year buildings' budget (if some carpeting bids come in lower than anticipated), or the FY99 budget. Kathy Tarr, KVCC E'uecutive Director - Tarr introduced officers of the KVCC board who were present and referred to the Report of the Community which was prepared by KVCC and included in the council's packets. She noted, this the first report of its kind from KVCC and it has been recommended similar reports be a regular part of their information exchange and communications with the city and the community. She noted, she supports the proposed contract changes as Ross had recommended. The board has discussed the changes and are also inagreement. Also, the minutes are already being shared with the city and their meetings are open to the public and have now begun making a place available on the agenda for "Unscheduled Persons to be Heard." KENAI CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORK SESSION April 22, 1998 Page 2 Tarr continued, the KVCC considers their partnership with the city of the utmost importance and feel they have a very good partnership with the city and council. She noted, the Report to the Community includes a report of all their activities during 1997 and also gives a prelude of upcoming events in 1998. Tarr noted, in their projected FY98 advertising budget, the advertising funds will be used for developing a web page, advertising, and producing their first travel and trade show, etc. Tarr noted visitor inquiries have increased substantially and they have already filled 100 mailings for 1998. With the development of their internet website, the inquiries will increase. Tarr reported they recently hired Ricki Gease as manager of exhibits and education. Tourism is one of their primary missions, however they also serve the community with cultural programs throughout the year. There has been an increase in school groups visiting the center and they have an active meetings program (2,800 people there for meetings throughout the year). There is a definite increase in use of the Center. Tarr added, there are more and more people traveling to museums and cultural attractions which puts the KVCC in a prime position for visitors. They are working hard to promote the KVCC as a stop on the Kenai Peninsula, working closely with the Sea Life Center and other facilities on the Peninsula, as well as advertising. Swamer asked what effect the non-profit groups, who do not pay user fees, have on her staff's time. Tarr answered, they handle the fee concern on a case -by -case basis. • Swamer asked, what the effect on the employees time and their presence and other expenditures associated with a meeting for those who are Pot charged. Tarr answered, they have more of a problem when the meeting is held after hours and they are handled on a case -by -case basis. The staff helps each other out in preparations and cleaning up. They replenish supplies used by those not charged from rental fees received. • Swarner noted, the council had been requested to make a donation to the Peninsula Winter Games and asked what the Center's participation will be with the Games. Tarr answered, they grant to help -promote activities taking place in the ^.sty. She noted, - there is money in their advertising budget.for community -related eve.its. Tarr_ noted,. they had not set aside the $2,500 the city had been requested to donate, but could discuss that for their 1999 budget. Discussion continued regarding the fiscal year of the KVCC. It was noted, the KVCC budget was based on the year ending July 1 for the 1997 budget. It was changed to January to December for all of 1998. It was also noted, the KVCC receives monthly payments from the city (12 paymente). They didn't project more funding from the city when their 1998 budget was prepared (December, 1997). KENAI CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORK SESSION April 22, 1998 Page 3 Councilman Bannock asked, in redrafting the contract with the KVCC, what will the amount be for funding from the city. Ross answered, the amount will be $65 000 flat fee, p ' plus $800 for their annual audit costs. Bannock asked council to consider, looking at the line item from the perspective of where they wanted. to. be five to .ten years from now, to cap the $50,000 and then decrease the amounts from there.. Bookey stated, part of the facility belongs to the City of Kenai and there is no way the city could operate the facility with the amount of money the KVCC can, He added, he. didn't want to go in that direction at all. Ross noted, as tourism has taken large cuts frrom the state, the KVCC has had to produce more funds to do what they have done in the past. Discussion followed regarding the changes to the contract. It. was noted, the contract would be amended if council approves the KVCC budget, The budget will not change, but the new contract will come back to council for their review. Direction: KVCC budget approved at $104,760. ITEM 2. LARt#E MJD= =a a. COLA Increase Finance Director Semmens noted, the budget was reflecting a two percent COLA increase based on the Anchorage CPI, increasing three percent in 1996 and 1.2% in 1997. The amount included in the budget for the salary increase is $103,000. However, PERS affects the total change in personnel services which would be less than this actual figure. Measles asked if the increase includes additional PERS, life insurance, etc. Semmene answered, yes. Direction: COLA increase was approved. b. Personnel Changes 1. Library Assistant 120-hour part-time). Ross explained, last year the Library lost a position through the discontinuation of a grant for the Wildwood project and who also worked some hours in-house. In last year's budget, he did not recommend the city pick up that position. During the course of this year, he made observations and reviewed the hours used to cover leaves, illness, etc. and is now recommending this 20-hour position be included in the budget. Library DeForest noted, this permanent person would take over some of 'the assignments now done by temporary part-time people. KENAI CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORK SESSION April22, 1998 Page 4 �J • Direction: The Library Assistant (ZO-hour part-time) was approved. 3. Library Department Assistant 1 to Library Assistant 1. classification study was done. A recommendation Ross reported, in 1995-96 a pay ent Assistant 1 be considered a included in the study was that the Library Department the The position wes to training position (it's one of the lowest paid positionse position )since then and is no be used for training• The same person has been p DeForest longer in training•The person is performing Library Assistant 1 work. requested the position be raised and based on the work being performed, etc. he was q reconmcien .ding the change. The budget increase indicates a raise of the position from a Range 3 to a Range 6. be Bannock noted, it was not council's position to decide whether a person had should en promoted from one position to another. Ross noted, since the position budgeted for the raise in range, it required an increase in dollars. Direction: No objections. position upgrade approved. 3. Finance Department Receptionist/cashier from part-time to full-time. Ross explained, this would increase a 25-hour a week • receptionist position 15 additional hours to have a central person for the cuthber tole addition some of the This change is based on council comments, as well as ' s from Public Works Department, which are financial in naturep would be will be tur moved duties to this person (dog licenses, etc.). Also, over the needs to be�mYade to train people in - over in the Finance Department and an house to take over other positions in the Department as theybof become computer vaile. Semmens added, he expects to do more and more in the are etwork. Robin Feltman, who is qualified, will do some additionswork his$ and another in the Department can p n pick u items that Robin is now g, etc a=ner asked, if this position -would help in increasing the number of hours city hall S'W before 8:00 a.m. and closing after 5:00 par:)-, Ross - answered, he was unaware of thisu�a:t He noted, there's a drop box for payments person on duty is not being fullred the noon hour, and open until 5:00 p.m. . and the office is always covered during , warner noted, she has heard comments that it is hard for people, working wtsfe S city to do business at the city before or after work. Ross added, him to look into this concern, he will. Councilman Smalley suggested this question could be asked in the next opinion survey done by the city. Ross noted, the survey is normally done October/ November. One was not done this year, but is planned for next year. KENAI CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORK SESSION April 22, 1998 page S. Williams asked if the position as it is now, receives benefits. Semmens answered, yes. • Semmens noted, the range of this position is a seven. Swarner asked what the lowest position at the Library is and Semmens answered a Range 6 for the Library Assistant 2. Swarner asked if anyone at City Hall is working at lower than a Range ?. Ross answered, the seasonal engineering technician, but no full-time positions are below the Range 7. Swarner noted, the Library has full-time people at Range 6 and asked what the difference was between those duties and the finance position. Semmens answered, the current position is the equivalent of a part-time seven. This will be adding hours to that position. Ross noted, the finance position will be advertised and Semmens will be looking for someone with some financial background which may differentiate that position from the library positions to which Swarner was referring. Direction: No objections to the Finance Department part-time position to full- time. 4. Public Works Department -- Two Public Works Manager Positions. Ross explained, a year ago the Public Works Department was restructured and was described to council in last year's budget. At that time he made no financial recommendations of what had been done. At this time, the department is under two managers - one managing utilities, harbors, streets, street -lighting and safety. The • other is managing Planning & Zoning, Public Works Administration, building inspection, building maintenance and shop. This was also described to council at the time they authorized the positions. In the budget, he is presenting what has been done and recommending the two positions be funded. Direction: No objections - the two Public Works manager positions were approved. S. Other Libra rY -- Swarner asked DeForest if, to do Sunday hours at the Library.y, would additional personnel be needed. DeForest answered, if the part-time person is funded, she will not need additional personnel for Sunday hours. Personnel Officer/Assistant City Manager - Smalley stated, he believed in the next year or so, council should consider filling a personnel officer/assistant city manager position. Ross explained, he didn't ignore those positions, but felt, based on the budget, filling those positions would have added approximately $100,000 to the deficit. This year, he, Semmens, Howard, Feltman and Graves, have met and worked KENAI CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORT{ SESSION April 22, 1998 Page 6 on how to handle personnel concerns, who gets what training, handling procedures, handling grievances, etc. At this time, he believes they can make what they are doing, work, considering the budget deficit the city now has. Smalley stated, he appreciated those efforts, but believes at some time the city will have to go forward with those positions. Bookey stated, he agreed with Smalley, but encouraged council to stay with Ross' program. at this time and look at it in another year. He added, he believed $100,000 could be better utilized in other existing budgets. Salary Step Schedule - Ross explained,. there had been comments from council during a work session some months back in regard to the salary step schedule and how compact it is. He looked at a system of how to lengthen the schedule out. Smalley gave him information as to what the School District has done and his insights into those issues. The Department Heads reviewed his suggestion with their employees. No one agreed lengthening the schedule would be acceptable. He learned, the employees have a good sense of value of money (get advancements early in the career when needed more) and that it could be a factor for the reduced turn -over in the city which has been a positive to the city. Suggestions instead of lengthening the schedule is to increase leave for those working over 20 years or a lump sum monetary recognition. Semmens is to investigate what other municipalities and industries do. Williams add•.d, just because someone has reached 20 years of service, does not mean their talents are not continuing to grow. At this time, monetarily, there's nothing to encourage that person to continue. Williams added, he was glad to see administration was going investigate the issue. Differential Pair Beftmen Departments - Williams reported, he had discussed this matter with Ross previously. He was concerned that there are those in one department who have like responsibilities, but are not compensated the same. He noted, Ross told him he would investigate the matter, along with the previous issue. Williams referred to the Water/ Sewer Departments, the Foreman and Operator I's are paid at Ranges-13,-12 and 12's. In the STP, the Operator:. III, II and -I are paid -at Ranges 15,14 and 13. He _noted,- there maybe a disparity in_ those -positions as new sewer lines have been added, man holes, boxes, equipment, etc. He added, the water/ sewer department is maybe more critical than the STP department and with as much or more responsibilities. He requested the matter be investigated. Ross explained, approximately two years ago a reclassification schedule was done by a committee of employees. This year, in preparation of the budget, he instructed department heads there would be no range changes unless it involved a promotion or functional change in the job description. He added, he spent a lot of time reviewing the classification study, the system used, gave sample job descriptions to the KENAI CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORK SESSION April 22, 1998 -Page 7 committee for their review, held simulated job interviews, etc. He felt the system was very imperfect, but felt the group did a verygood job of comparative work J g P . Ross noted, the water/sewer and STP are two different systems which are classified at two different levels. Unless council wants to review the work, he felt these should be left with administration. He added, his biggest problem with the classification study is that it does not have a market -based reality, i.e. what pay levels should be. Ross continued, he has asked the salary study committee (this year or next) to take the AML studies and use them as a market reality check for like positions against the city's positions. The study then would be opened up to review these positions, as well as others he has been requested to review. Smalley stated he believed using the AML's study will be beneficial. He noted, he believed there are some discrepancies that should be reviewed in the future. Williams stated, he believed some areas need to be revisited. Smalley noted, the dock manager is paid at Range 13 and the Animal Control Officer at Range 11. He added, with changes at the Animal Shelter, perhaps the animal control officer positions should be reviewed as well. Williams noted, he requested information (included as Information 7b) which indicates the difference in overall pay to upgrade the water/sewer positions to those of the STP. Williams asked Ross when he planned to have the study revisited. Ross answered, unless directed otherwise, he would wait until next budget year or the next. Ross added, the factors that were evaluated somewhat validated the system now in place. He noted, there are some spots that may need reevaluated. Williams stated, he was concerned about some of those spots. Smalley stated he would not want to wait another two years. Measles stated he didn't think council should be making adjustments to position ranges for city manager employees. He added, if an adjustment needs to be made, the city manager should bring his recommendation to council for consideration. Smalley stated, he was not referring to grade adjustments, etc. Measles stated, council should not even be talking about it. Smalley and Williams disagreed. Bookey stated he agreed with Measles and added, he thought it's a personnel issue and should -stayy with the city manager. a. Finance Department - New computer system. Sernmens explained, the request is due to the current vendor sending a letter stating the city needed to commit to an upgrade of their software or find other software. Since then, he has done some investigating, but not requested proposals. He noted, the software now being used is not year 2000 compliant. The current vendor does not have a year 2000 compliant software, but is promising to deliver one before the end of FY98. Semmens continued, either a new system needs to be purchased or an KENAI CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORK SESSION a April 22, 1998 Page 8 • upgrade with the existing vendor. He added, he has not made any decision at all and had no recommendation whether to stay with the current vendor or seek another vendor. Semmens noted, the amount included in the budget is a ballpark amount. He estimates a new vendor will be in the neighborhood of a $60,000 which would include the new software and training. Also, Semmens added, there is $20,000 included at Machinery & Equipment for the actual computer on which to run the program. . Semmens noted, a new computer system will be needed whether he stays with the current vendor or chooses a new one. It was noted, there was an upgrade purchased approximately five years ago for approximately $18,000. Semmens added, computer technology has changed a lot in five years and he could not guarantee another upgrade will not be needed in another five years. He noted, if he stays with the current vendor (which would not require training or conversion costs), then he would think an upgrade would be needed in five years. He added, the current vendor is not really keeping up with technology, but the computer it runs from is very technologically advanced. He noted, this will be part of the evaluation process -- whether to go with newer technology which will cost more, but maybe will last longer, but has more risks, more training, conversion issues, etc., or stay with the present vendor.. Semmens added, the costs included in the budget are conservative, but a thorough review of what's available will be made and he will be diligent in making a decision. Bookey noted, when breaking down $85,000 over five years, it's $17,000 a year for a computer program for only the Finance Department. He noted, he doesn't mind spending the money, but felt it not acceptable considering its $17,000 a year. Swarner asked if this computer system could be involved in the city hall network or would that be an additional cost. Semmens stated the AS400150 IBM computer is a machine that is capable of networking, but he was not sure how all that works. However, he is sure the system could be networked to other people in city hall to retrieve financial data. He added, any system chosen will be network capable. Swarner noted, there were several departments that were planning to purchase _ Windows 95 upgrades and Windows 97 upgrades. She asked what the plans are for networking in city hall. Semmens answered, there is a peer -to -peer network in city hall with all stations except the city attorney, manager and clerk. With a peer -to -peer network, each computer must have its own software. In the future, there will likely be a server where software packages reside. Swarner asked how much that would cost. Semmens answered, the IBM computer is supposed to be able to handle that type of . network. KENAI CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORK SESSION April 22, 1998 Page 9 Williams asked council if they were comfortable including $so,0hardware and iir0i in the a new finance inance Department budget to purchase the software,0 OOwou d be for a new vendor. computer system. Smalley asked if Semmens answered yes. Smalley asked an approximate cosbe t to stay 000 (instewith the of current vendor. Senarnens answered, the software costs ttle bit and the hardware costs will be $46,000); the support and training m'Y about the same. Williams suggested council accept the concept of a new computersyste, but fore more purchased and the bill comes to council for consideration, Semm provide information as to what was decided. Direction: No objection to the purchase of the finance computer system. BREAK TAKEN: 8:3S P.M. BACK TO ORDER: 8:b0 P.M. d. Animal Control - Rent and pick-up truck purchase. Ross explained, council had already decided to pay when the new shelter was built on airport lands. The rental account is generated based onsix constrnt uction tiretcosts and rn ($43,350, based on six percent of the value of thebuilding, value of the land). Williams noted the budgeted amount for the tru�wthaibe asecond pick-up. Chief wassit t000. Bookey asked if this truck will replace the Current pick-up or He added the current truck is a 1989 Morris answered, there will be two pick-ups. re using a Ford with 104,000 miles on it. At this time, as calls increase, departmentthe employees a their own vehicles (for picking up supplies, making city hall/policeyees rounds, hauling carcasses, etc.) when the city pick-up is on a call. Morris added, he believed the current truck could be used another five years if it is used for close -end runs. Bookey stated he was not comfortable with the employees using t matvehicles'could ured He was concerned whether there was anything else m the system from one department to animal control (he suggested one from STe )WeRe some answered, he would not recommend the STP truck being transferred . Ross tided, he believed the problems with that truck (clutches and U ) purchase is justified. purchases of vehicles Bannock asked if administration had considered piggy-backing s� bpoliee cars, but not this year. (new or used). Ross answered, they have p Bannock noted, the City of Homer purchased two used trucks for less than the city was going to spend on one truck. KENAI CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORK SESSION April 229 1998 • Page 10 • r] • Direction: No objections to rent and purchase of new pick-up. e. Street Department - Asphalt Recycler City Engineer La Shot explained the asphalt recycler now used by the city is about 18 years old and pretty well worn out. An amount of $31,500 is included in the budget to purchase a new one. If there is no recycler, local suppliers will not sell a supply of hot mix. Ross noted, the amount in the budget will cover the cost of a new recycler, however there is new technology that Kornelis has been requested to investigate. When the purchase comes to council, the purchase may be for a new technology, but an amount is needed to place in the budget. Bookey stated he would like administration to investigate a preventative maintenance for the city streets, i.e. rubberizing, overlays, etc. He added, he looked at the old machine and feels there is not much to repair, but is not sold on the purchase of this new machine. He believes the same repair could be done with a smaller machine and taking the same amount of money and purchasing a crack sealer for the rubberizing program. Ross stated he concurs with Bookey, but also knows the city will always have to have some kind of patch system. He added, need of a road maintenance program is on target and he plans to bring a program for council to consider which will require the accumulation of at least a couple years of capital matching grants. Direction: No objection to purchase of an asphalt recycler for the Street Department. L Parks Department - Now park and tractor purchase. Ross reported, to begin with, the budget reflected $30,000 for development of the new Hansen Park. They then identified approximately $3,500 of work that can be done in- house. They also removed $6,500 for an underground sprinkling system. Capital costs for this year (but can be done in a two-year phase) were set at $20,000. Swarner asked how -the park would be seeded. Frates answered, they have a seeder which they have used to seed other areas in town. He added, to water the park, the. - water line already in existence will be stubbed out to the park. Swarner asked the cost to have the park hydro -seeded. Frates answered he had not checked into those prices as it is expensive. Swarner stated, she understood it's more expensive but was concerned about the quality of the seed. Frates also noted, an . advantage of hydro -seeding in a windy area such as the bluff, is that the seed will stay in place better. Bookey estimated it would cost about $1,000 for hydro -seeding the park. KENAI CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORK SESSION April 22, 1998 Page 11 Smalley asked if the placement of a tank at the cemetery (for watering) will be an additional cost. Frates noted, the tank has already been purchased. Ross added, the tank will be placed prior to Memorial Day. In regard to the mower, Frates noted it will be used as a mower, for fertilizing, seeding, aerating and can be used to pull a rake for cleaning the beach. Frates added, the mower attachment is already on hand. Since it's a utility tractor, attachments such as backhoe, front-end loader, etc. can be added. Swarner stated she would like the new park to be hydro -seeded. Ross noted, he would look into that and added, a better product would be received if it is hydro -seeded. Direction: No objections to new park costs and the purchase of the tractor. T DEPARTMENT BUDG4ET8 a. City Clerk Swarner asked if any prices were received in regard to imaging equipment presentations made recently. Freas replied, no and explained, the first presenter was asked for price information, as well as a list of users, etc. No information has been submitted. Freas also noted, she had not included any costs for large-scale imaging equipment in this budget as it was submitted prior to this new recent interest. Freas noted, increases in her budget would cover conversion of some microfilm to cd- rom (for searching purposes) as well as back files. The funds for a Laserhsche upgrade could be used toward another program, if after review process, etc. it was found another program would be better. She noted, if imaging equipment is purchased in the future, she will want it to be non-proprietary, etc. Direction: No objections. Budget approved. b. Legislative It was noted by Ross and Semmens, the increase (since the original budget) in Professional Services could be due to carry-overs from the Health Nurse study and the Challenger study and that there have been no appropriations from fund balance had been made until recently. Measles noted, professional services has always been higher. Williams noted the cost for lobbyist services was less (now at $10,000 instead of $25,000). Swarner requested $500 be added for the Library Open House. Swarner asked Graves if the Youth Court has affected his court issues. Graves answered, it does not affect traffic court issues, but would affect District Attorney criminal issues. Swarner asked if the Youth Court had some affect on Police Department issues. Chief Morris KENAI CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORK SESSION April 22, 1998 Page 12 answered, their interest involves the first-time offenders. not alleviate any of their work load, it does assist in juvenile intake. Sw rner a does if it helps decrease the city's budget in some area or increase the budget if it was �� place. Morris stated he couldn'ti answer that and that it would be difficult to know t in the Youth Court's impact is to the city, w Williams requested the ALPAR program be increased to $1,000 and decrease the c' ty Pin purchase $200 ($11,600). He asked if council wanted to continue to Support Youth Court. Swarner stated, she was concerned the cityis supportinge p the and while there is an office in Homer, the City of Homer inot the program it. y supporting Williams noted council has been requested to increase the support Winter Games to $2,500. Swarner stated she believed they shou d contactthne K 1 It was decided to leave the amount at $300. Smalley stated he would prefergivingC. some support to the Food Bank as their program coverage is far g greater. Bookey stated, if the program pertains hard-core to the City of Kenai, he wouldn't have a problem supporting it, i.e. Boy Scouts, KCHS Graduation P from United Way on (on the list), he didn't feel it was appropriate t donate ublicver, monies to non -profits because there are people wh support p those who do not. p p g the organizations and He asked council to take a hard look at all the donations because he was not comfortable donating to the Food Bank (although he believes in the program), etc. He added, he believes the support for these programs should come R from the private sector. Bookeynoted he did not want to support Programs (from United Way on. pP° Y of the Bannock requested council to consider including funding to hold a scaled -down version of the Economic Summit as there was a lot of positive spin-off from the Summit. He added, he would like this to be an annual program. Discussion followed regarding the amount of costs to the city for the Summit. It was noted, there was a m state grant involved, as well as funding from the First National Bank of Alaska. Williams stated, he believed it would be a good idea to have a follow-up Summit bu would need to be contracted out as staff did not have time to commit to its but preparation and coordination. Council did not object to doing a follow-up Summit. It was decided $10,000 could be taken from the $30,000 in Miscellaneous Professional Services. "Other" for this purpose and placed in Bannock noted he had many of the same concerns as Bookey did in regard to donations to non -profits. He noted, he was not in opposition to employee donations to United Way, but did not feel council should be donating taxpayer funds to the Program. He felt it is like an unfair tax to the taxpayers and doesn't feel council has KENAI CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORK SESSION April 22, 1998 Page 13 • the right to mandate the taxpayers to pay it. He noted the donation requests were all well -deserving programs, but he did not feel the council should be donating taxpayer funds to them. Williams suggested the United Way match could be designated as to where its donation goes. Bannock disagreed and added, that would be the same thing, although it would insure where the funds would go. Williams noted, it was requested to increase the city's match to United Way to $5,000. Bannock disagreed. Smalley stated, using that argument, he suggested council only support the Christmas cards, city pins, CIP brochures, Library Open House and delete everything else. He added, there are people in the community who don't care about the Alternative School, KCHS graduation party, Boy Scouts, River Festival, etc. Williams noted, when council supports programs like these, it is supporting large contingencies in the community. He added, one of the things that keeps the city running smoothly is because the council supports the community as it supports the city. He noted, he would not want to cut any of the programs because of those reasons. Bannock stated he believed the donations have a snowball effect and there is a world of difference between a $300 donation to up to $5,000. Bookey stated he agreed, and because of the escalation, at some point council will have to be hard core and stop. He noted, the Legislative Miscellaneous was set at $48,525 which is almost 1 /3 of the city's deficit. He added, he totally supports all the non-profit programs from the private sector, but doesn't believe the tax dollars should be spent on them. ' Williams went down the list of donations and asked council whether to increase, decrease or remove: Kenai Alternative School KCHS Graduation Party Boy Scouts - Flags ALPAR Litter Control Kenai River Festival Industry Counts Picnic KCHS Hockey Booster Ad KCHS Basketball Booster Ad Peninsula Winter Games United Way Match Christmas Cards City Pins $300 (no objection) $300 (no objection) $300 (no objection) $1,000 (increased from $800, no objection) $300 (Bookey objected/no further objections/stays in) $500 (no objection) $200 (no objection) $200 (no objection) $300 (no objection) $2,000 (Bannock/Bookey objected, stays in) $225 (no objection) $1,600 (no objection, decreased from $19800) KENAI CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORK SESSION April 22, 1998 Page 14 Employee Appreciation Dinner Presentation Gifts Youth Court Support Capital improvement Brochures Library Open House Other* $5,000 (no objection) $500 (no objection) $5,000 (Bannock/Bookey suggested $500, stays at $5,000) $300 (no objections) . $500 (no objections) $20,000 (moved $10,000 to professional services; $500 goes to Library Open House) *Williams referred to the letter included in the packet from Nottingham, Petratrovich & Drage regarding bluff stabilization. The letter discussed $5,000 to give some additional data, including availability of sheet piling, design for placement and aerial photos, etc. He noted, those are types of things that council should have some backup funds in their budget to cover if it comes up. Directiow Add $500 for Library Open House; increase ALPAR Litter Control to $1,000; decrease city pins by $200; have Peninsula Winter (Mores at $300; take $109000 frrom Misaellsneous "Other" and place is Professional services for Eaonoasia summit U; shove $500 from Miscellaneous "Other" to Library Open House. Smalley asked if the "Other" also had to cover travel costs for AML Board of Directors from the city. Freas answered, they are included in the Lcgislative travel budget. ADS The work session ended at approximatE:y 9:55 P.M. Notes transcribed and prepared by: Carol L. Freas, City Clerk AMOVED ey MrIM �s F DAWN KENAI CITY -COUNCIL BUDGET WORK SESSION April 22, 1998 Page 15