City Council Minutes September 16, 2008 (Work session)

City Council
Work Session
Council Chambers
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Minutes

At 7:00 p.m., Mayor Salm called the meeting to order.

Council members present: Chipman, Donahue, Hoffman, Kuhl, Wozniak.

Others present: Ryan Heiar, City Administrator; Kevin Trom, City Engineer, Dean Wheatley, City Planner; Tracey Mulcahey, Assistant City Administrator/City Clerk; Mary K. Mitchell, Glen Siders, Adam Bohr, Don Colony, Corrine Lemmage, Judy Rugger, Jeff Rugger, and other interested parties.

Kuhl moved, Chipman seconded to approve the agenda. The vote was: ayes – Wozniak, Kuhl, Hoffman, Donahue, Chipman; nays – none. Motion carried. Motion carried.

Budget Goal Setting Work Session. City Administrator Heiar presented the census history, land value history, and tax rate history. Heiar reviewed all potential revenues available to the City including taxes and fees. City Engineer Trom presented information regarding assessments. In the past, assessments have been just for above ground improvements not utilities. The amount assessed in previous projects was 15%. The assessment was for a 100 foot max lot width. Corner lot only was assessed if the driveway access was on street improved in the project. Every fifty feet in depth, the amount of the assessment decreased. The City will approve a resolution of necessity, then build the project. When the project is complete, the City will adopt a final assessment plat and schedule that outlines the final assessment amounts that can not exceed the preliminary assessment amounts.

Trom presented information on amounts collected from developers relating to street reconstruction as a result of development. If the street is a collector street, the developer will pay 1/3 of the estimated cost. If the street is an arterial, ¼ of the estimated cost is assigned to the developer.

Mayor Salm encouraged council to be thinking about what direction to go with assessment policies.

Heiar presented revenue and expenditure comparisons from FY 04 to present.

Donahue reported that North Liberty ranks 511th out of 940 cities for tax rate.

Heiar requested Council input on the Capital Improvements Plan. Chipman stated that Council should fund projects that have been committed to in 2010. Projects should be prioritized and funded only with current revenues first.

Donahue posed what could $2,000,000 do to help with 965 south from Westwood to Ashley Court?

Hoffman asked for pros and cons between three lanes versus five lanes.

Wozniak would prioritize projects by those that are essential to make departments function. Second, projects that will pay for themselves should be addressed.

Kuhl wants to see funding for the expanded gym for Iowa City Community School District included in next year’s CIP. Kuhl wants the Golfview drive connection included in 2010 or 2011 to eliminate most busing.

Chipman requested specific information about big ticket items and funding sources.

Donahue asked about the impact of salaries on next budget.

Hoffman prioritized projects as Highway 965 number one and Facilities expansion number two.

Heiar reviewed bond summary of current debt and debt capacity.

Council presented their Council goals for budget planning. The goals presented were:
POLICY GOALS
• Keep levy neutral.
• Look for money saving ways.
• Increase general fund balance at the end of the year.
• Limit tax increase to 3%. Every department should show what services would be cut if 5% were eliminated from their budget.
• Look at adequate staffing levels and space including rental of space if necessary.
• Limit on debt capacity.

PROJECT GOALS
• Fund capital projects that if not funded, city functions cease.
• Do transit study and feasibility of second bus.
• Keep doing pieces of Highway 965.
• Prioritize facility planning.

At 8:45 p.m., Hoffman moved, Wozniak seconded to adjourn. All ayes. Meeting adjourned.