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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-11-23 Minutes•, r:+ V ,, MINUTES OF A BOARD BUDGET RETREAT MEETING A budget retreat meeting of the City Board of Directors was held on Monday, November 23, 1987 at 1:30 p.m. in Room 326 of City Hall, 113 West Mountain Street, Fayetteville, Arkansas. PRESENT: Assistant Mayor Kelley, Marinoni Clerk MCWethy, ABSENT: Ron Bumpass, Directors Lancaster, Martin, and Hess; City Manager Pennington, City Department Directors Burch. Coates and Linebaugh; members of the press and audience Mayor Johnson The meeting began with five Directors present, Director Hess arriving in the early part of the meeting. FIVE-YEAR PLAN PUBLIC FORUMS 391.1 It was announced that tentative dates have been set for public forums to discuss the City's Five -Year Plan, to be held at 6:30 p.m. on December 3, 8, 9, and 10. ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGES 391.2 City Manager Pennington told the Board the majority of the organizational recommendations represent long-term, rather than short-term, expenditures. 391.3 Director Lancaster asked how the long-term changes to the organization would be funded in the future. Pennington said the staff wasn't going to try to talk about funding at this point. He said there were a number of recommendations that would result in cost savings in the long term. He said economic development would be very expensive in the immediate term but there would be a significant payout in the long term. Director Lancaster commented that it bothered him to talk about new programs or new people when the budget will have to be cut by about $700,000. 391.4 Pennington said he would like to finalize the reorganization, commenting that he has a little bit different perception than did Arthur Young, about how the reorganization should be finalized. He said he felt the Arthur Young study missed one area - that of Planning and Development. He said it has been one of his biggest concerns that Public Works has been overloaded and broad -term planning and development has not been emphasized. 391.5 Pennington proposed the City have four main program areas - Administrative Services, Public Works, Public Safety, and Planning and Development. He suggested, because the City makes significant expenditures on contracts for 1 1 ? o _ V iJ ,r Board Budget Retreat , November 23, 1987 outside services, this may be a way to pay for a Planning and Management 392.1 Director. Pennington said the Arthur Young study recommended the Administrative _392.2 Services Director position as a "senior department head", functioning as it does now, in a position entitled "Assistant City Manager for Administrative Services." He said he concurred with this. Director Hess asked if the Planning Department would help the City to .392.3 project needs rather than react to needs as they exist. Pennington said there should be a harmonious relationship between Planning, Engineering, Inspection, and Project Management. He said Project Management ' is an element which should be closely aligned with engineering, planning and the City Manager, to monitor ongoing projects. Director Hess asked if project management would be responsible for securing information the Board needs and continually updating the Board. Pennington said that was the idea, as well as to keep the City Manager advised of problems. Hess asked if the Planning Management Director would channel communications between the 'Planning Commission and the City Board. Pennington said that would be one of the duties. Director Martin asked if the City Manager had an estimation as to how large the organization would grow, if all therecommendations were to be included. Martin said there was another way of financing the changes, by shifting employees already in the organization. Pennington said, in the final analysis, there would be a "plus" expense. He said changes would be made in responsibilities and certain responsibilities would be phased out in the organization. Martin said that, philosophically, it would be difficult for him to swallow the City organization growing by leaps and bounds at this time. Pennington said there was no way he could present a budget with these kinds of increases without commensurate decreases. Pennington said the City has a solid staff but may have some people in positions who are either not doing exactly what they need to be doing, or have talents which could be used elsewhere. 392.4 Director Marinoni asked if the Planning Director's salary would be 392.5 commensurate with the other three department heads. Pennington said the salary would probably be in the $30,000 range. Director Martin said he did not recall Arthur Young recommending an 392.6 Assistant City Manager, but instead recommending that the function of the former Assistant City Manager would be assumed in the office of the Administrative Services Director. Pennington said the audit said "the Administrative Services Department will be headed by the Assistant City Manager.'.' He said he envisioned the prime function of an Assistant City Manager as someone who is there when the City Manager is out of town, and who can step in; someone who works closely with the Manager and understands his thinking. He said before he made an appointment like that, he would have to be sure the individual shared the same philosophy as that of the Manager. I 4.1 }j ii 1 ) Board Budget Retreat November 23, 1987 393.1 In answer to a question from Director Bumpass, Pennington clarified that, on the proposed organizational chart, the position of Assistant City Manager shown in the Office of the City Manager, and the position of Assistant City Manager for Administrative Services would be one and the same person. 393.2 In answer to a question from Bumpass, Pennington said he would be looking for a Planning Director with a Bachelor's degree with a Master's degree in Planning. He said he would be looking for a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in a related subject, or a Bachelor's degree from a school such as the University of Cincinnati which has a five-year planning program He said he would prefer a Master's in Public Administration, and would be looking for someone with three to five years experience minimum experience either as an Assistant in a larger community or as a Director, and comfortable with the multi -functions of the position. Pennington added that he wanted to be sure the City does not "overkill" with planning and development rules and regulations, but at the same time protect the community with appropriate rules and regulations. 393.3 Director Hess asked Pennington if Linebaugh has not been able to do the duties of the Assistant City Manager and the Administrative Services Director. Pennington said this was true to a certain degree. He added that it was irrelevant whether the title of the position was changed. He said he was not talking about the addition of another Assistant City Manager. 393.4 Pennington said a lot of changes would be coming, a lot of which will revolve closely with the Finance Department. He said his emphasis will be on Finance and Planning. 393.5 In answer to a question from Director Hess, Pennington said money would be found for these new priorities from the existing budget. Pennington said, with certain exceptions, his organizational recommendations follow the Arthur Young report. 393.6 Director Lancaster said, if the Board saw fit to create an Assistant City Manager position, would the City Manager anticipate advertising the position. The City Manager said he did not intend to advertise for the position. He said this type of position has always been by appointment of the City Manager, and has not been recruited by the Board. 393.7 Director Kelley asked if the Board would make recommendations at this meeting or if it simply gives input to the City Manager. Director Bumpass said, although the staff is making recommendations, he did not anticipate the Board voting on any matters. 393.8 Pennington said he thought it appropriate to present his priorities now, as this is essentially how the budget will be couched. He said he felt strongly about the four -program area concept, about emphasizing Planning and Finance, and about involvement in economic development. 1 1 1 Board Budget Retreat v November 23, 1987 Director Bumpass said he thought it would be easier for the Board to adopt Pennington's philosophy and management style when he present's them with a balanced budget. Pennington said the organization has the number of people, but it's a question of whether it' has the people in the right places. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT City Manager Pennington referred the Board to his proposal in the agenda for an Economic and Industrial Development Program He said the City needs to bolster its financial base and provide for long term financial and economic stability. He said the City currently has an Industrial Park which has been moderately successful but needs an aggressive push; that, in addition, other areas of the City are available for long term development, such as the new 71 corridor, but need guidance to assure viable and quality economic development. He said this development will undoubtedly take place, but asked if it will be in a fashion that would be in the best interest of the City. Pennington said three things he is concerned about are the financial condition of the City, planning of the City, and economic development of the City. He said he was aware of efforts which could be undertaken using existing resources, and the possibility of developing a research institute in conjunction with the University of Arkansas. He said this could mean dollars for the City in the long term. He recommended the creation of an Economic Development Coordinator position, and an Advisory Group. Pennington said he understood there would be some people who will not want growth at all. He said the City and most governmental' institutions in Arkansas right now have a fiscal problem, and the City needs to push hard for economic development to help that fiscal problem. • Director Kelley asked the City Manager what he had done with the Chamber of Commerce in developing this plan. Pennington said he had discussed the idea with a group of leaders from the Chamber and, as far as he knew, the Chamber Board does not have a problem with this area. He said he discussed this with a number of Fayetteville banks and there were informal commitments from them to put up money to cover expenses of an Economic Development Coordinator. Kelley said he understood there was an Economic Development Coordinator in the Chamber's 1988 budget, and said he didn't think the City should duplicate this, but make sure it is a coordinated effort. Pennington said the question is "who wants to do it, how we want to do it, and where is the money going to come from." Kelley suggested the University of Arkansas Business School should be involved and Pennington concurred. Director Hess said he thought this proposal came out of a suggestion in an Advertising and Promotion Commission meeting that Linebaugh look at the creation of an economic and industrial development agency within the City. He said the feeling of the Commission was that the Chamber was not pursuing this aggressively enough to suit the City's needs. 394.1 394.2 394.3 394.4 394.5 395.1 /...••�0 Board Budget Retreat November 23, 1987 Director Marinoni asked if the Chamber would be agreeable to this proposal. Pennington said it didn't worry him whether or not the City is directing this. He said the City would be involved financially one way or the other. He said there would be advantages to the Chamber doing the program, but he thought there would be advantages to having an advisory board which would be broader than just the Chamber. 395.2 Director Bumpass said it would be almost self-defeating to have a program that's too broad to succeed. Referring to the Industrial Park as a "rather dormant project", Bumpass said the Board had the responsibility to assure the citizens that their money has been well spent, and the property needs to be marketed and sold. He said the Airport has enjoyed some increases in passengers, but has seen some missed opportunities for advertising and economic development. Bumpass said the City's tax base is sales tax oriented. He said there needs to be a public system set up to continue redevelopment around the Square and Dickson Street, to bring in more retail shops for the area. Bumpass said an economic development plan should stick to things that really pertain to City business, versus trying to solve all the problems of private industry. 395.3 Director Hess said he would prefer to have the program within the City organization. He said he didn't think the Chamber could come up with the kind of money that would be needed, and could pursue "an aggressive posture". Hess said he thought the Chamber could jointly cooperate with the City. 395.4 Director Lancaster said he didn't think the City could ever expect the Chamber to match the amount of money the City would put into the program He said the City Board has always had a tendency to "want to see the full grown chicken without buying the egg." He said "you gotta get the egg first on faith and then grow that chicken...if he dies, then quit." Director Bumpass said hopefully there would be some substantiation as to how effective the program has been in showing an increase in tax revenue. Pennington said there would not be any result in a year. 395.5 Director Bumpass asked the Board if there were any objections to the staff showing such a program to the Board in the 1988 budget. Director Kelley said he wouldn't object, after the staff had discussed the program with the Chamber of Commerce. recess at 2:45 p.m. AUDIT MANAGEMENT LETTER 395.6 Administrative Services Director Scott Linebaugh told the Board there was material in the agenda which was an offset of a memo originally sent to the Board by the City Manager on November 3, which covered every point of the 1 1 1 Board Budget Retreat November 23, 1987 performance audit and the staff's activities on each point. He said the City Manager has decided several things need to be done: (1) To centralize Accounting for the entire City in one area; (2) To centralize Grant Accounting for the entire City in one area; and (3) To get the work force in Accounting up to the level that it should be. Linebaugh proposed the creation of an "Internal Auditor/Grants Accountant" to do internal audit procedures, coordination of procedures with independent auditors, city-wide grants administration, staff training and development, and assistance in external reporting. He said the position would take over the responsibilities of Airport, Wastewater Treatment, and Community Development grant accounting. He said the position would report directly to the Administrative Services Director. Linebaugh said the position has been needed for a long time, commenting that there have been thefts which have occurred and continue to keep occurring (e.g., at the Animal Shelter, parks, and swimming pool). 1J " V 396.1 396.2 Director Kelley asked about the position of "Assistant Administrative 396.3 Services Director" appearing on the organizational chart in the agenda being out of the line of the chain of command. Linebaugh said that position would handle day-to-day functions, but is still the responsibility of the Assistant City Manager of the divisions. In answer to a question from Director Martin, Linebaugh said the position did not presently exist, but would be a new position. He said the Assistant City Manager would have the duty of coordinating projects between the three departments, while the Assistant Administrative Services Director would be in charge of day-to-day operations of the Administrative Services divisions. Linebaugh said the Administrative Services Director would be responsible for his position and filling in for the City Manager when he is out of town. Director Martin asked who would supervise the Finance Division. Linebaugh 396.4 said the Assistant Administrative Services Director would supervise the day- to-day operations. He said the division heads would still go to the Administrative Services Director on day-to-day operations. Linebaugh said that what has happened since the City Manager was hired is that special projects have kept him (Linebaugh) away from the day-to-day operations of the Administrative Services Department. Director Hess said he didn't see any reason for the title of Assistant City Manager other then to elevate the position of Administrative Service's Director a little bit above the other department heads. Linebaugh agreed: Hess suggested the job description of the Administrative Services Director simply be revised. 396.5 Director Martin said, from his standpoint, the more levels of bureaucracy 396.6 there is, the less responsive an organization is. He said he saw Board Budget Retreat November 23, 1987 397.1 bureaucrats being layered in which will make the organization less responsive. Linebaugh said the question was whether the City Manager has time to spend running day-to-day operations or should he be out in public. Lancaster commented that the performance audit recommended hiring three department heads for the purpose of running the day-to-day operations. Linebaugh said the study showed the organization should be set up just as Pennington is proposing. 397.2 Marinoni asked if an existing employee could be reclassified to be the Assistant Administrative Services Director, or if it had to be a new position. Linebaugh said that question was still under debate. 397.3 Linebaugh spoke in response to the financial audit finding that there was too much turnover in the Accounting Division. He said a survey was conducted of cities known to have good Accounting Departments, and research was done into the reasons former employees have left in the last two years. He recommended adding new positions: 397.4 (1) Account Clerk III to work under the Accounting Supervisor in day- to-day operations. He said the City Manager is demanding the City achieve a CAFR (a certificate on financial statements) and a budget award within three years. He said in order to accomplish this the financial statements and the department will have to be excellent. He said other responsibilities would include cash flow and investments. He recommended a Grade 12/$16,253. (2) To reclassify a half-time Account Clerk II to a full-time position, to work on the audit and assist in obtaining the CAFR, and work on grants accounting. He recommended a Grade 10/$14,453. (3) Account Clerk I be added because of centralizing the accounting and resulting increased workload. He recommended a Grade 8/$13,372. 397,5 In answer to a question from Director Martin, Linebaugh explained, in order to earn a CAFR, financial statements must have a lot of statistical information and other information. Linebaugh said earning a CAFR would help in obtaining bond ratings. 397.6 Director Bumpass asked if any positions would be traded in the centralizing of accounting functions. Linebaugh said some positions would be traded in Community Development, and this will allow the Airport to do some extra things they haven't been able to get to yet. 397.7 Lancaster asked about the results of the survey on the turnover. Linebaugh said past employees were contacted and it was found that their reasons for leaving was that the work load and long hours were too much. Lancaster said the employees shouldn't have been working more than eight hours a day. Linebaugh said that would only be true with a proper amount of staff. He said 795 hours of overtime were worked by eight people since September. 1 1 • Board Budget Retreat November 23, 1987 Director Martin noted that the organization chart for the Accounting Program has created additional layers of bureaucracy. Linebaugh said he and the Accounting Supervisor have to be involved in so many special projects that there isn't time to run the day-to-day operations properly. He said the Account Clerk III is being added to help run the day-to-day operations. Bumpass said the recommendations would have to be justified in the budget, and said he hoped there would be opportunities to discontinue some positions. He remarked that at some point there has got to be a cutback. Linebaugh commented that the amount of time spent on special projects, compared to a few years ago, is incredible. He said each one of them involves a grant and/or a bond issue. He said the City can't operate the way it is now, with the staff that it has. Bumpass asked if money should be allocated out of the bond issues for that purpose. Kelley suggested perhaps more clerks, and less supervisors, might be needed to get the work done. Director Hess asked, if the majority of the additional personnel is necessary because of special projects, if some of the positions could be done away within the future when the projects are completed. He added that there was proposed to be created a Project Manager as well, and asked if some of the new positions shouldn't be under the Project Manager instead. Linebaugh said that would not be in line with the theory of centralizing the accounting functions. He agreed that, if the City moved away from all the projects, there would not be the need for all the staff. Pennington explained that Project Management would be field -oriented. Hess asked how the staff reconciled adding new people and, at the same time causing lower level employees on the organizational chart to be further removed from being heard by management. Linebaugh said the only position in that category would be the Accounting Clerk III, and he said that is the area where the most help is needed, because the Accounting Supervisor doesn't have time for day-to-day operations. PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT 398.1 398.2 398.3 Linebaugh said Kelvin Crosson, Special Projects Officer, was in charge of 398.4 the performance measurement project, and working with Burke & Associates. Crosson reported the firm began work in November 18, holding three 1 1/2 398.5 hour sessions to orient Public Works supervisors, and beginning field data collection activities. He said they worked with Cameo (software firm) on interfacing with the work order system purchased from them. Crosson said that Burke is expecting the following from the project: (1) improved maintenance planning; (2) better maintenance strategies; (3) increased productivity; (4) better management information; and (5) improved work control. He said the City should expect a superior maintenance management project. He said through the end of the year the firm will complete data collection and begin training and crew scheduling. Crosson said he was . 11 .J.;0 Board Budget Retreat November 23, 1987 399.1 advertising for the new Research/Analyst position and this should be filled within the next two weeks. 399.2 Crosson said Linebaugh appointed a supervisory training committee consisting of employees from all three departments, to study management's training needs. He said the committee has developed a plan to have a series of training sessions and testing to begin next year. Crosson said areas to be covered would be time management, motivation, delegation, interpersonal skills, problem solving, leadership and management. PUBLIC WORKS INFRASTRUCTURE PROBLEMS & CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS 399.3 Public Works Director Deryl Burch spoke on the City's infrastructure needs, as reported in detail in the agenda (graphs were included showing funds which have been spent in this area in the years from 1982 through 1987). 399.4 399.5 City Manager Pennington said there will have to be a full-blown major package for infrastructure improvements which will have to be presented to the public for a vote. He said the staff will be recommending, to go along with this, a good, solid physical inventory system put in place and a physical plan for the future. Director Martin asked if it would be better to have had a more balanced program Burch agreed, but recommended having utility construction two years ahead of street construction. 399.6 Pennington said it could take more than six months to develop a good capital improvements program He said he expected to present one to the public in the Fall or Spring of 1989. COMPUTER MAPPING 399.7 A film was shown, presenting a computer mapping system. "recess at 3:45 p.m. 399.8 Bob Kelly, Assistant Public Works Maintenance Superintendent, went over a report which had been distributed on the computer assisted mapping system He said that equipment for the system is in the 1987 budget, with the data base to be purchased over a three-year period, and the automated mapping system to be an line in 1991. 399.9 City Manager Pennington said the inclusion of the City's growth area has been discussed as a part of this project, but that its maps might be done on a different scale. 1 rl • Board Budget Retreat November 23, 1987 SEWER MAINTENANCE AND REHABILITATION PROGRAM Al Rukgaber, Maintenance Superintendent/Assistant Public Works Director, reported on a sewer maintenance and rehabilitation program (included in the agenda). It was reported that the proposal to purchase a pipeline T.V. camera and monitoring system for sewer rehabilitation work would cost $30,000. In order to provide all weather protection and transportation of the equipment to off-road locations, a 4 -wheel drive enclosed van is proposed to be purchased for $19,000. PARKS AND RECREATION PROGRAM Dale Clark presented the Parks and Recreation Priority List for 1988, which was included in the agenda. Public Works Director Burch noted the two most important items to be the acquisition of Gulley Park and the rehabilitation of the Youth Center Pool'Building. • Clark reported on the'top eleven projects (in order of priority): (1) Youth Center pool renovation (2) Gulley Park land purchase (3) Parks maintenance additional employee for Green Thumb Program (4) Parks maintenance additional employees for weekend work (5) Van purchase (1/2 with Youth Center) (6) 2 mobile two-way radios (7) 2 four -yard sanitation trash dumpsters (8) hot dog machine (9) Youth Center addition (10) Lake Fayetteville RV campsite (11) Wilson Park resurface tennis/basketball courts ‘4UU 400.1 400.2 400.3 Clark said the estimate of $125,000 for Youth Center pool renovation has 400.4 been used for the last year, but he added that he had received a recent estimate of $240,000. Clark noted the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meets twice a month and 400.5 is to be commended for their work in assisting the staff. Clark reported an appraisal has been obtained on the proposed Gulley Park 400.6 land purchase, but said a survey and legal description are still needed. Clark said the owner is still asking $125,000 for the property, but added it would be to the owner's advantage if she could receive some kind of tax credit. The Board was told the owner wishes for her home site to remain on the property. In answer to a question objection to the City executed after the next Clark told the Board approximately what they from the Assistant Mayor, the Directors expressed Manager presenting the Board with an option to Board meeting. no 400.7 be that operational expenses for 1988 will be 400.8 were in 1987. 41 Board Budget Retreat November 23, 1987 PUBLIC SAFETY BOMB DISPOSAL UNIT 401.1 Public Safety Director Marty Coates presented a proposal for the purchase a bomb disposal unit (contained in the agenda). of 401.2 Police Chief Richard Watson said the only other bomb disposal unit in Northwest Arkansas is in Fort Smith. He said in order to train an officer in this field the City would have to commit to the purchase of a certain amount of equipment. 401.3 Watson said it would be to the City's benefit to purchase a bomb disposal unit, train an officer, and perhaps purchase another dog strictly for explosives. Watson said the maximum cost would be $27,000 for initial equipment purchases, but an officer would have to keep his training continually upgraded. 401.4 Director Lancaster asked if such a program would be cost-effective. Pennington said such a program would probably have to be regionalized if it is to exist. Pennington said he thought the City needed to start working with other agencies in the area to see if a cooperative effort can be made. SPECIAL OPERATIONS TEAM (SOT) 401.5 Public Safety Director Coates told the Board one of the suburbs to the north of Fayetteville is currently facing a lawsuit because they didn't have a special operations team and a person was injured during an operation. 401.6 Watson said there have been a number of instances which prove the need for the SOT. He asked the Board how they would want to be extracted from their captors if any one of them were taken hostage. He said the department has employees trained in hostage negotiation but not in hostage extraction. Watson said he has sent a six -man team for basic training in special operations. He said intermediate and advanced training is needed, but more equipment has to be bought. He said training would be ongoing. Watson said he'd like to increase the team to eight or ten men. 401.7 Coates said a highly trained unit is a necessity because statistics show that 83% of hostages are injured by police officers during assault. Watson said there were liability problems when officers are not trained. 401.8 Watson said basic training cost $150 per person, excluding lodging costs for one week. He estimated $40,000 would cover the needed equipment and additional training. Watson distributed a list showing the equipment proposed to be purchased. 1 1 1 • Board'. Budget Retreat - November 23, 1987 CITY NURSE Administrative Services Director Linebaugh proposed a plan for reducing the amount of money paid out every year for workers' compensation insurance, which is predicted to be $124,000 for this year. Linebaugh said a lot of cities have had success in reducing premiums by hiring a staff nurse who reviews injuries, cutting down on the number of claims. Linebaugh referred the Directors to the duties of the nurse outlined in the agenda. He said the position would not be full-time as a nurse, but would have other personnel duties. He said Fort Smith has a nurse and only had a $60,000 annual premium over the last three years, due to treatment of at least 60% of injuries by the nurse (requiring no physician bills). Linebaugh said the nurse could administer physical examinations which will be required by law. He said currently these cost the City $300 each time. In answer to a question from Director Marinoni, Coates said that a nurse may perform a physical under a doctor's direction who would not need to be present. Director Martin asked if the staff had investigated the possibility that the medical community might help out without the City having to hire a full-time nurse. Martin said he thought there could be resentment on the part of some of the physicians in the community. He asked about the City's liability if the nurse missed something in administering a - physical. Linebaugh said the City would be covered under tort immunity. 402.1 402.2 Coates said the city of Tulsa has such a program, with a larger staff; and 402.3 Fort Smith has been able to cut costs by using a program like this. CITIZEN COMMITTEES Linebaugh referred to the information in the agenda showing vacant positions on various citizen committees, current membership on those committees, along with background material. 402.4 Director Marinoni asked about the response from applicants. The City Clerk 402.5 told the Board that response was lighter than in the past. She added that advertisements had been spread out over a three week period. Director Bumpass said he hoped the Five Year Plan committees• would generate 402.6 more applications. Bumpass suggested the application deadline should be extended beyond November 30. - Pennington said he thought the Board might want to discuss policy questions 402.7 on this subject after the first of the year. Director Martin suggested some consideration might be given to skills, personality traits, and line of work of the individuals applying for positions. He said he thought the Board should have criteria to evaluate applicants. Bumpass suggested some thought should be given to the question 402.8 1 II J! •tkit) Board Budget Retreat November 23, 1987 403.1 of longevity of service. Director Lancaster suggested the Board wait until after the budget is approved to make the appointments. OFFICE SPACE STORAGE 403.2 City Manager Pennington said a preliminary analysis shows the City facilities have a space problem. He said a physical facility plan will need to be considered. 403.3 Director Bumpass asked if any economies could be gained from the Municipal Court being separate from the Administration Building. AUTOMATED DEVICES 403.4 Kevin Crosson referred to the list of automated equipment in the agenda which represents advances in many fields, including the CADD system discussed earlier, an electronic water leak detector, a hand held electronic meter reading device, a two card computer control system for charging out fuel, and a Centra Com II Slave Console for the Dispatch Center. PRIVATIZATION 403.5 The City Manager said, with the exception of Police services, there is probably no municipal service that cannot be contracted for in the private sector. He said the question was whether the service would be provided in accordance with the wishes of the public. He said right now the City is experimenting in that area by having OMI operate the sewage treatment plant. Pennington said a good example is street paving, because the City is not in a good position to buy new equipment for that purpose. 403.6 Pennington said serious consideration should be given to the pros and cons of this question. meeting adjourned at 5:35 p.m. 1