Agendas and Minutes

Citizens' Budget Committee (View All)

Regular Meeting

Agenda
Wednesday, May 12, 2004

Budget Committee Meeting
Draft Minutes
May 12, 2004, 7:00pm
Civic Center Council Chambers, 1175 East Main Street

CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Marty Levine called the Budget Committee Meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. on May 12, 2004 in the Civic Center Council Chambers, 1175 E. Main Street Ashland, Oregon.

ROLL CALL: Councilor Amarotico, DeBoer, Jackson, Hartzell, Morrison, Laws and Hearn were present. Budget Committee Members Olsen, Moore, Williams, Silbiger, and Christensen were present.

ABSENT: Budget Committee Member Stepahin was absent.

STAFF PRESENT: GINO GRIMALDI, CITY ADMINISTRATOR
LEE TUNEBERG, FINANCE DIRECTOR, BUDGET OFFICER
PAULA BROWN, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
MIKE MORRISON, PUBLIC WORKS SUPERINTENDENT
CINDY HANKS, PROJECT COORDINATOR
BRYN MORRISON, ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARY

PUBLIC INPUT  None

Lee Tuneberg, Finance Director, explained that the questions from the previous meeting concerning Parks will be addressed tomorrow night.

PUBLIC WORKS 0000000000 3-57 to 3-94

00000Departmental Presentation

Paula Brown, Public Works Director, presented the department budget. She pointed to the documents presented. See attachments.

She spoke to Capital Improvements first. The Committee asked if the funding for the Water Street Bridge came from the State and if there was a time limit on when the funds could be used. Ms. Brown responded that the funds do come from the State and they are within the time constraints. The Committee asked about the LID policy and how far in advance LID's are designated. Ms. Brown explained that the process for LID's is that they form the district, lien the property owners at that time for the estimated cost but do not collect until once the project is complete. If a property owner was to refinance or sell, the title company would require that the lien plus 10% be added to the amount of the loan. The owner would be reimbursed if the cost of the project did not amount to the 10% adjustment. There is no interest for paying in advance. Don Laws, Councilor, stated that they might need to revise the Ordinance.

Ms. Brown spoke to the Public Works Department document. See attachment. There is a total of 57.8 FTE not 56.8 FTE as indicated. 22% of the budget is Personnel Costs. The Committee asked if the DEQ had established a temperature requirement yet for the wastewater plant. Ms. Brown replied that it is expected in the next 2-3 years.

Grounds maintenance (Streets) has an error, amount of days to correct potholes is wrong. Should be immediate repair. The Committee asked what the frustration is from the community with the emphasis placed on water quality as presented. Ms. Brown responded that it is with the Builders of the community for the engineering standards and designs. The Committee asked if there is funds put in for Airport for employee time. Ms. Brown responded it is in the Central Service fund. The Committee asked how they define self-sufficiency for the Airport. Ms. Brown responded by not spending City funds for the Airport and generating own revenue.

Supply in Water is almost all Capital Projects with some Debt Service. The Committee asked what the cost was of negotiations for water supply options. Ms. Brown responded that it is only the cost of her time until they buy the water. The Committee asked if they had already bought water for the TAP project. Ms. Brown responded that they had. The Committee asked how it will be funded. Ms. Brown responded that they set aside funds in the budget and it is SDC eligible.

They are emphasizing conservation with automatic light shut offs in the Community Development Building, with fuel conservation, and appropriate use and size of vehicles.

Ms. Brown clarified that the increase in water services is due to the population increase and that each service is a connection not counted per person. The Committee asked if the Council goals were budgeted. Ms. Brown responded that they are, however the railroad may be off due to the hope of them paying for some of the repair. She clarified that the improvements are the pavement leading up to the tracks, not the tracks themselves. The Committee asked how they would budget for water conservation. Ms. Brown responded that they did it through rate increases. There are no new cost programs only educational programs.

The Committee asked if since the Storm Drain shows a decrease in expenses, then do they need a rate increase. Ms. Brown responded that they look at the long term for replacements and improvements. The Committee asked why the Wastewater Treatment Plant had a huge ending fund balance. Ms. Brown explained that the SDC's need to be adjusted.

The Committee asked about the Airport revenue and the 150% increase. Ms. Brown explained that the expectation is for new fees for businesses out at the Airport and for rental fees for the T Hangars.

00000Public Input

None

00000Approval of Departmental Budget

Hearn/Hartzell m/s to tentatively approve budget as presented. All Ayes.

ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

Attachment:   Memo re: Sales Value of Telecommunication Networks


Respectively Submitted,
Bryn Morrison, Administrative Secretary
Finance Department


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