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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-04-21 Council Minutes - Budget Work SessionCOUNCILKENAI CITY 10 s. • • MAYOR PAT PORTER, Council present: R. Ross, B. Eldridge, R. Molloy, H. Smalley, M. Boyle, P. Porter, L. Swarner Staff present: C. Freas, R. Craig, C. Kopp, B. Frates, M. Tilly, J. La Shot, E. Hicks, L. Semmens, R. Koch City Manager Koch distributed a status of grant -funded projects and reviewed it with council and administration. Discussion continued from the April 14, 2008 work session: Legislative -- Findings: The following adjustments were agreed to be included: • City newsletter, published twice a year. Include $5,000 for this expense. • Mini -Grant Program. Decrease the amount from $5,000 to $3,000. • Litter Control -- check whether the program will continue and what costs may be included. • Increase the mayor stipend to $1,000 and council members to $500 per month. • Initiate stipend paid to Planning & Zoning Commission members at $100 per month. It was noted, the Legislative budget would be increased by $32,210 with the above - listed changes/additions. • CARTS request for $5,000 donation -- administration is to discuss the possibility of initiating a partnership to use Senior Center vehicles in the CARTS program. This item will come back to council for consideration later in the year. • Addition of $10,000 for the purchase of a video camera, audio streaming software with archiving to the city webpage capabilities. Police -- Findings: Council approved the inclusion of the following into the draft budget: • At the request of the Kenai Central High School principal, a request was made for school resource police officer to work at KCHS and other city schools. It was noted, no school district funding was available and the school would provide office space and supplies. Council consensus was to include a full-time public safety officer and non -sworn officer (subtract approximately $7,200 from the budget as this position would take the place of one, half-time seasonal officer) and allow a sworn officer to work half-time in the schools. Salaries -- KENAI CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORK SESSION APRIL 21, 2008 PAGE 2 of 3 Discussion followed related to a salary increase of two percent (2%) (in addition to the COLA increase) who are at the top end of the salary schedule. It was noted, there were current 12 employees (not counting police officers due to the increase in office pay scales made to encourage officer recruitment and to keep officers on the force). The two percent represented a step increase; the increase would not change the base salary; and, cost to the city would be approximately $11,600. Findings: Consensus was of agreement the issue should be presented in ordinance form. The remaining department budgets were reviewed: Water -- Findings: No changes. Sewer -- Findings: No changes. Sewer Treatment Plant -- Findings: No changes. Airport Fund -- Findings: No changes. Airport/Airfield -- Findings: No changes. Airport Administration -- Findings: No changes. Airport Other Than Buildings -- Findings: No changes. Airport Training Facility -- A brief discussion took place related to need for additional parking. Findings: No changes. KENAI CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORK SESSION APRIL 21, 2008 PAGE 3 of 3 Senior Citizens -- Koch discussed changes in the format of the Senior Citizen budget in order to find the real costs for services, placing income and costs where they belong. Porter stated concerns she had with the budgets as follows: • Did not want to raise the activities position five hours as she believed food more important. • Funds allocated for chairs in the dining room. It was noted, 100 chairs would be purchased at $70 apiece. Findings: Wait on increasing the activities position; cut $5,800 from the budget for added hours; remove referenced to Senior Connection as the $15,000 donations represent other than just Senior Connection; remove $15,000 donation and increase transfer from the General Fund ($9,200). Enterprise Fund -- A brief discussion took place related to the $50.00 increase for apartment rentals. Findings: Consensus: Raise the rental rate $50.00 and no other changes. Permanent Fund, Land Sales -- Findings: No changes. Schedule of Replacements -- Findings: No changes. Wrap Up: Semmens stated he would prepare the ordinance using the numbers from the work sessions. He requested council to discuss any proposed amendments to the budget with him prior to the public hearing in order for him to have the correct amount information; etc. available. Koch noted SB221 (forwarded to the Governor for consideration) included in it $1 million for public improvements (library, bluff erosion, water/sewer projects) and wanted to contact the Governor to emphasize the need. Because it was a work session and not a public meeting where direction or changes could be made, it was suggested Koch write a letter of justification as discussed with the Capital Improvement List as previously approved by council and submitted to the Governor and Legislature. The work session ended at approximately 8:37 p.m. Notes prepared by: MI COMM'C'M Carol L. Freas, City Clerk