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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 1998-07-24 Minutes MINUTES OF THE BUDGET WORK SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS, HELD AT GARRETT CREEK RANCH CONFERENCE CENTER, ROUTE 2, BOX 235, PARADISE, TEXAS - JULY 24-25,1998 Present: Charles Scoma Don Phifer Lyle E. Welch Russell Mitchell Frank Metts, Jr. JoAnn Johnson Matt Milano Cheryl Cowen Lyman Mayor Mayor Pro T em Councilman Councilman Councilman Councilwoman Councilman Councilwoman Staff: Larry Cunningham Randy Shiflet Ron Ragland Patricia Hutson Rex McEntire James D. Saint Larry Koonce Debbie Durko Margaret Ragus Andy Jones Jerry McGlasson Marty Wieder Jim Wilkins Melani Fragge Greg Dickens Jim Browne Steve Brown Pam Burney Barry LeBaron Terry Kinzie Thomas Powell Jonita Morrow City Manager Deputy City Manager Assistant City Manager City Secretary Attorney Assistant to the City Manager Finance Director Budget Coordinator Budget Analyst Fire Chief Police Chief Economic Development Director Court Administrator Human Resources Director Public Works Director Park and Recreation Director Library Director Environmental Services Director Planning & Inspections Director Information Services Director Supports Services Director Risk Manager CALL TO ORDER Mayor Scoma called the Council Budget Work Session to order July 24, 1998 at 8:05 p.m. The Mayor and City Council shared with Staff the goals that Council set at their Goal Setting Work Session in June. The Mayor discussed some of the outcomes from their Goal Setting Work Session. The Staff was advised that the Council wanted more work sessions. The Council also wants Staff to City Council Work Session Minutes July 24-25, 1998 Page 2 provide alternatives for them to consider when there are proposals before the Council for consideration and/or action. Staff was also advised that the focus of the Council was on families and the amenities that accommodate families. Each Council Member shared their thoughts with the Staff on the direction they desired for the City and the goals. The Mayor shared with the Staff the five items that the Council has incorporated into their mission statement: 1) progressive leadership for City Council and Staff; 2) community involvement as partners; 3) high quality city services; professional and responsive to citizens and provided in a cost effective manner; 4) preserve and enhance the City's community character and quality of life; and 5) protect the interest of our "stakeholders" - businesses and residences. There was discussion on the importance of recognizing the need to build on the successes of staff. It was felt that this was an important part to be included in the City's mission statement. Mayor Scoma reviewed each of the six goals set by the Council with the Staff and asked for input from the Staff. Goal 1: People feeling safe and secure - After discussion and staff input, it was agreed that this goal could be expanded to include safe schools and community for youth. Goal 2: Qua/ity development through buildout - Council and Staff discussed planning for quality development through buildout, preserving adequate open space to preserve densities, and maintaining a standard of high quality in public facilities. Goal 3: Self sustaining /ocal economy - Council and Staff discussed the need for the tax base to be diversified, and the need to initiate a program to encourage citizens to shop North Richland Hills. Goal 4 - Financially sound city government providing cost effective services affordable for our citizens - Council and Staff discussed the need to protect the City's assets and adding to the goal the safeguarding of our assets. There was discussion on utilizing technology to achieve high quality and cost effective services. It was agreed that "quality" should be added to the cost effective delivery of services. Goal 5 - A variety of amenities for families - Recreational/Leisure/Cu/tura/Æducationa/ - Council and Staff discussed offering educational amenities to businesses as well. There was discussion of sister city relationships with other communities. City Management was asked to include in the goals of the Council sister city relationships - international relations and business relations. Goal 6 - Effective transportation systems for moving people/integrating mu/tiple modes - The Council and Staff discussed this goal being futuristic in terms of thoroughfares and moving people. They discussed how environmental issues also impacted this goal. There was discussion on the need to review the City's Emergency Plan. Mr. Ragland suggested the City step out and achieve the status of a "Bicycling Friendly City." There was discussion on the use of trails as a mode of transportation and a rail system to move people. City Council Work Session Minutes July 24-25, 1998 Page 3 The Mayor recognized Andy Wallace, President of the Police Association, and asked for his input. Mr. Wallace suggested that the Council include taking care of city employees. The Council agreed that this should be incorporated into the goals of the City. Mayor Scoma recessed the meeting at 9:43 p.m. Mayor Scoma called the meeting back to order July 25, 1998 at 8:09 a.m. The City Manager introduced the 1998/99 proposed budget. The Council was presented a video presentation that reviewed the accomplishments of the current fiscal budget year. Mr. Shiflet addressed how the departments are currently meeting the goals identified by the Council and how the departments plan to continue to address the goals of the City Council. Mr. Koonce presented a financial overview of next budget year's proposed program of work. The proposed budget maintains the current tax rate of 57 cents per $100 taxable property value. The proposed new service enhancements and programs for next fiscal year were identified and discussed by the City Manager. The Council was advised that total revenues over expenditures for the current fiscal year were projected at $591,505. City Management suggested that based on Council's direction and in an effort to meet the goals established by the Council for the City, some of the cost savings be used to fund 1) an Incentive Cost Savings Program; 2) a User Fee Study; 3) professional assistance for planning and financial projects; 4) increasing the reserves for building facilities; and 5) partially funding the replacement of the City's telephone system. The proposed service enhancements were highlighted. Mr. Ragland addressed the personnel system improvements for 1998-99. Recommendations were to continue to support the market pay plan and the methods of keeping it competitive including an annual market adjustment. Mayor Scoma recessed the work session at 9:45 a.m. and called the meeting back to order at 10:06 a.m. The Council began a review of the departmental budgets and Staff answered their questions. The City Council discussed their budget. They agreed that their hospital insurance account could be reduced by approximately $7,500. The Mayor recommended that the Council not increase Council's budget more than two percent over last year. After discussion, the consensus of the Council was to reduce the City Council budget back to last year's budget amount. It was suggested that Council travel be reviewed. The Council discussed the need for another work session on the revised 1998/99 proposed budget. City Council Work Session Minutes July 24-25, 1998 Page 4 The Council discussed in the Finance budget, whether the ambulance billing and collecting should be outsourced or remain in-house. The consensus was to outsource the billing and collecting for ambulance service. There was discussion on BISD funding a portion of the BISD football game coverage by Citicable. It was agreed that this was a service the City was offering to the citizens. The personnel service enhancements in the Planning and Inspection Department were discussed. In response to Council concern about staffing, the City Manager advised that when the activity in the building service starts declining, staffing would be adjusted accordingly. Councilwoman Johnson requested that mowing of state right-of-way around City Hall be taken under consideration. This is to be reviewed later. Councilwoman Johnson questioned if there were any funds to improve the Senior Center at Glenview. The renovation of the Dan Echols Senior Center will be discussed further at a future work session. The City Manager briefed the Council on a memo received from the Police Association requesting certification incentive pay. After discussion, the consensus of the Council was that it needed to be an equitable, competitive global approach and they did not want to proceed in adding it to the proposed budget. Mayor Scoma recessed the work session at 11 :55 a.m. and called it back to order at 12:45 p.m. The Council reviewed the proposed enhancements in the Fire Department. There was discussion on the need to look at reallocating functions in the department. Councilman Welch asked about Freddie and stated that he would like to see Freddie reactivated and put back into service. The Council concluded that - 1) there was a need for additional training in the department; 2) if possible, they would like to see Freddie used again; 3) vehicles that need to be replaced need to be looked at; and 4) the establishment of a fire inspection program was needed. The Mayor discussed the integrating of the City's Emergency Plan with B.I.S.D. He questioned whether an exercise needed to be initiated and if there needed to be funds in the budget to ensure the City is prepared for emergencies. The City Manager advised that Staff would be discussing at a future work session the City's Emergency Operations Plan. The Council reviewed and discussed the non-departmental funds. Councilwoman Johnson questioned the replacement of water and sewer lines in older neighborhoods. Staff explained the current practice is to replace lines in streets that are being overlayed. Councilwoman Johnson requested that a systematic program be looked at to begin the replacement of the orangeburg pipe in the City. The proposed enhancements to the Support Services and Information Services funds were reviewed and discussed. There was discussion on the maintenance of the City's web site and Year 2000 compliance. The Mayor requested that before a new telephone system is purchased, that a study be City Council Work Session Minutes July 24-25, 1998 Page 5 conducted to determine that a new system is needed. The Mayor recommended leaving the money in the budget, but placing it in reserve. The Council would not be authorizing the purchase of the system by leaving the money in the budget and placing it in reserve. Mayor Pro Tem Phifer expressed concerns about the Insurance Fund having adequate reserves. There was discussion on the need for cost containment on insurance for retirees changing to Medicare. The Council felt a work session was needed to review and reduce the costs in these areas. Mayor Scoma recessed the work session at 2:45 p.m. and called the work session back to order at 3:05 p.m. Mayor Scoma advised that the budgets for NRH20 and the Park Facilities Development Corporation would be presented to the Corporation Board first and then there would be a report from the Board back to the Council Mayor Scoma announced at 3:06 p.m. that he was recessing the Budget Work Session and calling the Crime Control and Prevention District Budget Work Session to order. Mayor Scoma called the Budget Work Session back to order at 3:55 p.m. The City Manager discussed the Debt Service Fund, the Golf Course Budget and Promotional Fund with the City Council. There was discussion on the feasibility of offering Iron Horse Golf Course passes for senior citizens. Staff will research the issue and bring some options to the Council to consider at a work session. Councilwoman Johnson felt the City needed to provide more support to the churches who were providing services to the city, i.e., Women's Haven, CAN Ministry, Church of Christ Community Service Programs. There was discussion on recognizing the private enterprises that provide community services to the citizens and the criteria for recognizing those enterprises. The Mayor and City Manager will look at community service recognition and bring a recommendation back to the Council. The City Council discussed the Special Investigation Fund, Donation Fund, Drainage Utility Fund and Personnel. The Council discussed their desire for signs at the entranceways to the City and the funding of the signs. There was also discussion on the Council's desire for the City to get back to a pay as you go approach. Mayor Scoma recessed the meeting at 4:45 p.m. and called the meeting back to order at 6:50 p.m. The Public Works Director presented the Capital Projects Budget. Mr. Dickens discussed the streets, drainage and utility projects, their status and a summary of their costs. There was discussion on the City being able to meet its obligation to the citizens and completing all of the projects listed in the bond program. The City Manager explained that there were several reasons that their was a shortfall for the projects promised, i.e., cost increase/overruns, Council's desire to include some projects that were not in the bond package, and the Rufe Snow project being controlled by the federal government. City Council Work Session Minutes July 24-25, 1998 Page 6 The Council is to hold a work session within the next few weeks for Staff to bring some options to the Council to fund the remaining projects and for Council to address the issue. Mr. Thomas Powell presented the Equipment and Building Service plan proposed in the 1998-99 CIP Budget. He advised that safety issues, roof problems, HVAC issues and the exterior renovation of the Environmental Services Building, would be addressed in the 1998/99 fiscal year. Mr. Jim Browne presented an overview of the accomplishments of the Park and Recreation program during the last five years. He summarized the grants received by Parks and highlighted the 1998/99 CIP Budget for Parks. An overview was given of the active projects approved and currently funded by the Council and the proposed 1998/99 project funding. Council was advised that they would need to give consideration to a restroom building at Linda Spurlock Park. Three options were presented to the Council for the building. Staffs recommendation was to design and construct a permanent masonry building that would be constructed of durable materials that would also integrate with the existing design elements of the park. Mayor Scoma adjourned the Budget Work Session at 9:00 p.m. APPROVED: c/ /,1' Charles Scoma - ,If /1 ,.....-' l- ATTEST: @t2t1/èrd~ Patricia Hutson - City Secretary