Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-01-29 MinutesMINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE CITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS • • 'A special meeting of the Fayetteville City Board of Directors was held on Monday, January 29, 1990, at 2:00 p.m. in Room 326 of the City Administration Building at 113 West Mountain Street, Fayetteville, Arkansas. PRESENT: Mayor William V. Martin, Directors Michael Green, Russ Kelley, Paul Marinoni, Jr., Shell Spivey, and Fred Vorsanger; Assistant City Manager Scott Linebaugh, City Attorney Jerry Rose, City Clerk Sherry Thomas; members of the staff, press, and audience. ABSENT: Director Ernest Lancaster CALL .TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by the Mayor, with six directors present. The Mayor stated the purpose of the meeting was adoption of the 1990 Budget. Linebaugh stated the staff has prepared an agenda and will highlight the changes in the budget and then discuss the items that are proposed not to receive funding. He then turned the meeting over to Judy Huffaker, Budget Coordinator. Huffaker presented a.listing of the capital improvement program projects (pages 34 & 35 of the Executive Summary). She stated upon approval of the budget, City staff will begin work on the projects in order of their priority ranking. When the projects. are funded and the staff brings them to the Board to ask for award of a contract, an alternative funding source will be made available. This will allow the staff to complete the project if the bond issue fails and provide the Board with information on how the project will be funded. Huffaker also presented listings of the 'pay as you go' projects which have funding available through the sales tax construction fund (pages 516 & 517 of the budget). The water projects included in the budget (pages 458 & 459 of the budget) came off the water rate study. These are all funded through the water and sewer operating funds., so funding is currently available for all of the projects. The sewer mains construction projects (page 467 of the budget) are funded at this time being backed by the water and sewer operating funds. Linebaugh pointed out that staff intends to work on the projects funded by the Capital Improvements Program when possible. Huffaker stated on the General Administration Budget, the major addition is in the Communications Division where a Dispatcher I and II have been added and a provision for professional services to review the current dispatch center and make recommendations for a different center. January 29, 1990 Green asked about discussing the capital projects at this time. He expressed his concern about no definite decision being made as to how to proceed on the Youth Center Pool renovation. The proposed expenditure of $867,000 seems quite a lot, and he feels the option to replace rather than renovate should be explored and City Staff given direction on how to proceed. Linebaugh stated the reason the price had jumped from the anticipated $200,000 was because both health and building codes were included in the renovation project. He stated there was another option available that would boost the price to $1 million. Bob Kelly stated this was a complete renovation of the facility with a complete facelift. It would include upgraded locker rooms and better handicapped access to the facility. Don Bunn stated there were two things that caused the increase. Originally a report was done on behalf of the Youth Center Committee by Richard Naylor that pointed out several areas where the systems were failing and needed extensive repair or replacement. They also looked at things the Youth Center would like to have added, like a diving board. The firm of Northwest Engineers was asked to look at the project at only the systems included in Naylor report. They made an upgraded cost estimate of around $261,000. When Crafton & Tull was asked to look at the project, they were asked to look at the overall pool facility, not the specific items on the list. There appeared to be about $160,000 difference in the cost estimate of Crafton & Tull and Northwest Engineers. Bunn stated he felt the cost differences involved the depth to which each firm was asked to look into the project. The rest of the cost difference involves Crafton & Tulles opinion that since over $400,000 of work was being done to repair existing systems, then the roof should be repaired. They feel the whole building should be brought up to code which included expanding the dressing rooms which was the major cost difference --over $300,000. Vorsanger stated he felt this discussion was worthwhile, but inappropriate at this time. He feels the thing the Board should do today is approve the philosophy of the budget. Martin agreed somewhat, but stated the Youth Center Pool renovation is already underway, so decisions need to be made. Bunn stated the renovation was on Phase III. They were given a proposed budget and asked what sort of renovations could the City expect for that amount of money. Green stated he wanted to know when questions should be brought up about the renovation. At some point, the decision needs to be made regarding renovation versus a new pool considering the large costs involved. He stated he would hate for staff to go through the construction document phase and then another route be decided upon for the pool. This would be a real waste of funds. He stated he would like to raise a flag by this issue to request additional information. Bob Kelly stated Staff did anticipate bringing to the Board on February 20 the proposed authorization for construction documents. 31 January 29, 1990 Huffaker outlined the Administrative Services budget (pp. 137-174 of,the proposed budget). She stated there was an emphasis on risk management in 1990'that is to be handled through the Purchasing Department. Economic Development was separated into a separate fund this year. No new personnel are being requested in the Administrative Services Division. In response to Martin's request for an elaboration on risk management, Huffaker stated in 1990 30% of the purchasing officer's time has been set aside to train in the area in an attempt to help determine the actual need of the City in the risk management area. This includes areas ofpublic official liability, police liability, vehicle insurance, etc. Huffaker stated the Police Department has been combined into two programs in the 1990 budget: (1) the jail program, the crime prevention program, and the ,training program were put into the support services program and (2) the detective and patrol programs were combined. The budget contains the National Accreditation procedure which is the cost of registering for the program, getting the manual, and having an on-site inspection of our police department. At this point it does not authorize or commit the City to any other funding. In the local pension fund, the contribution from the General Fund has increased from. 9% to 12%. This is to help offset the unfunded part of the pension plan. Martin asked if the budget was based on closing the jail and a contract with the county for housing our prisoners. Huffaker confirmed this. Martin asked what would happen if the Board chooses not to close the jail. He asked if there were adequate funds to continue to run the jail. Huffaker stated there was enough but stated some of the food accounts may need to be adjusted toward the end of the year. Green stated the county has been looking at doubling their rates from $20 to $40 per day. He asked if the budget figures reflected that change. Huffaker stated the budget figures were based on the $20 per day charge. Huffaker stated there -were no material changes in the Fire Department budget. Vorsanger stated there was $2,200 proposed for capital items. He asked if this was for the renovation of something or to purchase new equipment. Huffaker stated it was a contingency for appliance replacement and equipment failure replacement. Vorsanger stated he felt this might be an inadequate amount. Mickey Jackson stated the prime example of what is purchased from this account is fire hose. The money will not be spent unless it is necessary. Linebaugh stated that the General Fund budget does not show the whole picture. Funding of about $60,000 to renovate the fire stations will be coming from the sales tax budget. Huffaker stated the Planning Management Department (pp. 222-271) has a contract person added in the engineering division to administer construction contracts that have to do with the capital improvements plan. An Engineering Tech I has also been added to help with construction inspections. Continued funding is included for computer mapping --$100,000 for digitized mapping and professional services to bring the mapping on line to our system. The total project will run from $600,000 to $750,000 and should take about 5 years to complete. There is also a plan for reorganizing the Planning Division. An Associate Planner 32 January 29, 1990 position has been added at the last Board meeting. A Development Coordinator which is a division head level position is proposed. Vorsanger stated he felt the computerized mapping should be looked at. He feels this is a frill and is not sure the City really needs it. He feels the advantages of computerized mapping for a city our size are not that great. Marinoni stated he agreed with Vorsanger. He felt it was a high price tag and other things are needed more than the computer mapping. He felt the $27,000 being cut for the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission was needed more. Martin asked Bob Kelly if the computer mapping was more of a frill or a tool. Kelly stated that it is used mostly as a management tool. It allows the City to see what a development will look like and allows us to determine the effects on the area. It also gives the Police and Fire Departments help in an emergency. Utilizing the computers does save on manpower. Martin asked if we were in the middle of the project at this time. He also asked if the money spent to date would be wasted if the project was killed at this point. Bob Kelly stated the money would be partially useful. Green stated he agreed with Vorsanger, but realized this project will be an investment in future efficiency. He feels this is a good long range investment, but it is not as necessary as some of the current needs. He would hate to kill the project at this time. Vorsanger stated in light of the $800,000 deficit, some things will have to be put on hold. Linebaugh stated Staff was requesting that the Board adopt the 1990 Budget, with the understanding that funding cuts will be made. The Staff wants to make a proposal to the Board on ways to handle the deficit at the Board Retreat. He further pointed out that if the computer mapping program was stopped, then the maps would have to be brought up to date. Bunn stated that additional personnel would be needed to keep up with changing city maps, but he did not know the total costs that would be incurred in personnel. Bunn stated the City was approximately 10% complete on the computer mapping program and had spent about $180,000-$190,000 on software, hardware, and digitizing. Photos of the entire City and growth area have already been taken. Martin pointed out the necessity for good planning. He has heard several compliments around town on the job performed by the City. Merrill pointed out that the position change in the Planning Department was replacing a planning clerk position and not an additional person. Huffaker stated the Public Works Division had gone through a reorganization of middle management and now includes positions of a transportation manager and a utilities manager. There were two positions deleted, resulting in no net change in personnel. There is funding included in the 1990 Budget for additional T- 33 January 29, 1990 hangars. In the sewer department, there is an additional three member crew and an Engineering Tech II being recommended. _Vorsanger asked how many new personnel was being recommended for 1990. Huffaker stated overall, the recommendation was for 8 new people. Green stated that emphasizing maintenance is one of the best sources of saving money, butit is usually one of the first areas looked at when cutting funds. Linebaugh stated that three projects have not been included for funding in the proposed 1990 Budget: (1) the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission (NWARPC), (2) the Arkansas Air Museum, and (3) the You Can Program Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission Merrill stated that the City does not have the same level of needs from them because of basically his position and the job being performed by the Planning Department. He stated his department was more than willing to work with Larry Wood and his staff if the Board so chooses. Green asked if there was a way to more effectively utilize the Planning Commission through input add services. He asked if there were other areas where the NWARPC could be effective. Merrill stated they could look at the impact fees and perhaps come up with some new projects. Green stated NWARPC was a vital organization for the region. He stated if Fayetteville pulls out, he fears it would be a staggering blow to the community. Larry Wood of the NWARPC addressed the Board expressing his concerns that if Fayetteville withdraws, they would be sending a message to the rest of the region that regional planning was disappearing. He outlined several of the accomplishments made by the NWARPC, and stated he did not want the area to take a step backward. He pointed out that the direct contract is with Fayetteville, but other neighboring towns benefit as well. Martin stated he was committed to this project, but the question is of effectiveness in the future. Elaine Walker addressed the Board and stated the NWARPC will be working on a transit authority which would include Springdale, Greenland, and Washington County. There will be four new buses, and approximately $3.5 million will be .channeled to the Fayetteville area by the Authority. The U of A systemhas become public and will have new routes after they get the four new buses. In addition, she stated the elderly taxi program was very successful with a little over 4,000 .rides last year. She stated Springdale and Greenland really had nothing to gain in revenue like Fayetteville did from the transit program, but they have to maintain their contracts and help out their neighbors in the program. Vorsanger stated he had served on this Authority in late 60's and early 70's and is concerned that they have to go through this funding request every year when he feels Fayetteville should take the lead in the organization. 34 January 29, 1990 Marinoni stated Fayetteville, has been the leader in regionalism and an instigator of ideas. He stated we should not be the first to pull out of this organization. He asked what was the funding level being requested. Huffaker stated they were asking for $27,500. Airport Museum Art Hollenbeck addressed the Board on behalf of the Air Museum. They are requesting $25,000. He stated as a comparison that last year the State Capitol received 39,200 visitors from 50 states and 49 foreign countries. The airport museum received 11,000 visitors from 46 states and 16 foreign countries. He stated the museum sponsored the Boy Scout Air Explorer Post and is working with the Advertising & Promotion Commission to put together a visitor center. Hopefully, merchants will help by sponsoring brochures to be put in the center. The museum is trying to help itself by raising an endowment fund that will fund the museum permanently. They have fund raising programs in conjunction with American Eagle Airlines and King Pizza. Green stated the Board had addressed this funding issue earlier, and he felt the intent was to fund $25,000 in 1990. The Advertising & Promotion Commission has requested $9,000 for the museum. He felt the Tourist Information Center is needed and that this is a worthwhile project. Marinoni agreed and thought the Board had already agreed upon funding $25,000 in 1990 and the $25,000 had been funded on a prorata basis in 1989. Spivey stated that since over half of the people using the airport are going to areas other than Northwest Arkansas, he suggested asking other communities for assistance. Richard Shewmaker, Economic Development Coordinator, stated that the state publications are available at no charge. You Can Program Ralph Neeson and Paula Ellington and members of the advisory board were in attendance in support of this program. ?lesson addressed the Board stating that the program had a 97% success rate in their educational program. The day care program had not been a success. Randy Owl and Betty Spiva both participants in the program addressed the Board requesting that the program be continued. Biff Fouke asked the Board for their continued support of the program. He stated the single parent scholarship program was a very worthwhile program and enabled people to seek education that could not otherwise do so. Marion Orton stated she was on the advisory committee and was impressed with the quality of participation. vorsanger stated he had received a letter from the Vice Chancellor of the University of Arkansas supporting the You Can Program. There were 34 Fayetteville residents that have received grants. January 29, 1990 Martin stated the Board supports success stories, but he recalls many from the community that criticized the Board for this funding. When he supported this funding, it was based on two premises: (1) that there was no funding available anywhere else for this type of project and (2) that the program would be successful. The scholarship portion of the project has been successful but not the day care portion. There are scholarship programs available other than this one, and he stated he felt the program may be duplicating efforts. He suggested funding a salaried position to provide quality counseling and let the people look to more traditional areas for scholarship assistance. Advertising & Promotion Commission •.,Linebaugh stated the budget request of $300,000 was at the same level as last year. The funds to be used for this budget cannot legally be used for anything else. Vorsanger stated he was in favor of this budget. He stated he received a letter from Peg Anderson stating the money was being used to bring visitors to the City. She asked if some of the funds could be used to clean up Fayetteville. Linebaugh ,stated if the project was included in the A&P budget„ the funding could be used. Linebaugh stated the excess money to be used is not just HMR tax but is also CEC bond excess, revenues from the CEC lease, parking, and state turnback on the CEC building. This money can be used for any legal purpose of the City. Martin made a motion to approve the proposed 199.0 Budget with the corrections the Board has made. The motion was seconded by, Marinoni. Martin stated amendments were now in order to the proposed budget. Martin stated the proposed budget is balanced as far as sources and uses. ,If there is an increase in expenditures, the revenue will have to come from unreserved fund balance or some offset expenditure. At the Board retreat, plans will be made as to how to reduce expenditures in the 1990 Budget., , E Vorsanger, seconded by Marinoni; made a motion'to include the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission in the 1990 Budget. Upon roll call, the motion passed by a vote of 6 to 0. Marinoni, seconded by Green, made a motion to amend the resolution to include $25,000 for the Air Museum for 1990. { Upon roll call, the motion passed by,a vote of 6 -to 0. e -Kelley, seconded by Vorsanger, made a motion to include $57,000 for funding the You Can Programfromthe Housing Bond Funds. Martin stated he fully supports the program but thinks funding should be limited to the staff salary and let them become finders of funds that are presently available. Scholarship funds are available. t Green stated day care funding was a valid need, but there are severe complications with this approach as far as locating them, compliance with zoning, etc. Green stated he understood the program was to be designed to help people 35 January 29, 1990 learn a trade to better themselves in the job market. He really did not feel the program was designed to pay for college educations or the professional job market. He supports funding the administration to gain the scholarship funds. Martin made a motion to amend the amendment to limit the funding to $22,500, the cost of the administrative salary. This motion was seconded by Green. Upon roll call, the motion to amend the amendment passed by a vote of 4 to 2, with Directors Vorsanger and Kelley voting in the minority. Upon roll call, the amendment to the budget to include the You Can Program passed by a vote of 6 to 0. Green wade a motion to mend the expenditures in the budget changing the 10% salary contingency to 8% or whatever it takes to fund the items that have been added. Kelley seconded this motion. Kelley asked if the proposed 8% figure was realistic to bring salaries in line with the Hay Group recommendations. Linebaugh stated the estimate could not be made at this time. When the study was originally looked at, it was estimated that it would take right at 10% to fund the recommendations. However, alternative methods were being looked into about complying with the recommendations. Martin stated he supported the motion, but he did not want it to be interpreted as lack of support for the Hay Play and getting salaries where they should be. Green agreed with Mayor Martin. Vorsanger stated that there was an $800,000 deficit in the 1990 Budget. He stated the Board was now messing around with things that he understood would be addressed at the retreat. He understood the Board would take recommendations from Staff at the retreat for cost cutting measures. Upon roll call, the motion passed by a vote of 5 to 1, with Vorsanger voting in the minority. Green, seconded by Marinoni, made a motion to include the Advertising and Promotion Committee's budget request in the 1990 Budget. Upon roll call, the motion passed unanimously. Upon roll call, the motion to adopt the 1990 Budget with the amendments passed by a vote of 6 to 0. Phyllis Rice of the Northwest Arkansas Times asked for clarification that if the bond issue does not pass, the Capital Improvement Projects will either be dropped or funded in some other manner. Linebaugh confirmed this. RESOLUTION 13A-90 APPEARS ON PAGE ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 4:34 p.m. OF ORDINANCE AND RESOLUTION BOOK