City Council Meetings

CITY OF GREEN RIVER CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP PROCEEDINGS April 10, 2012 The governing body of the City of Green River met in workshop session at 6:30 pm in the City Hall Council Chambers. Mayor Castillon called the meeting to order. The following Council Members were present: Gary Killpack, Gene Smith, Tom McCullough, Jim Boan, and Lisa Maes. The following were present representing the City: Director of Public Works Mike Nelson, Director of Finance Jeff Nieters, Director of Human Resources Debbie Klein Robertson, Director of Community Development Laura Leigh, Chief of Police Chris Steffen, City Engineers Dave Westling and John Canaday. Legislative Presentation Representative John Freeman said the primary purpose of the budget meetings was to make decisions on how to spend the $3.2 billion dollars in the general fund. This is the discretionary fund that the legislature deals with every two years. The committee thought there would be a $400 million surplus at the end of the session in March of 2011. Unfortunately, it went to an $80 million deficit. The governor came back with budget cuts. The legislature was cautious becausethe lower cost of natural gas will impact the state. He said the budget was conservative with no new expenditures. There was no growth in governments and this allowed for one-time funding. The State of Wyoming put an additional $1.1 billion into savings. He thinks this is the time to buy some things instead of saving everything. Cities and counties did get support from the governor. There was no debate or deletions brought to the table for cities and towns. The cities asked for a larger money source for long term planning but there was not much done for that at all. There is money to spend for the next two years but after that they are not sure. There was no additional money to take care of the employees and they are an essential part of the governments. There was a change to the 6th Penny money and how it can be spent. If there is extra collection it can be spent on infrastructure. State retirement was dealt with, and there was a push to take away the defined benefit plan and go with a 401K plan. There were many people against this. Beginning September 1, 2012 anyone employed after that date is going to have their retirement based on the average of five years instead of three, at a 2% allotment instead of a 2.5%, and the legislature will have the ultimate right to approve a cost of living raise in the retirement system. The most important item is worker’s safety. Wyoming has the lowest worker’s safety record in the country. To help with this issue the state added six more inspectors to workplace safety. He thanked the Press Association and the Wyoming Association of Municipalities for working together on the open meetings and records laws. This was a very big challenge and they did a good job. Representative Stan Blake said the Transportation Committee is looking at a fuel tax, or some sort of a toll road to help with the costs of upkeep on the state’s highways. He said he feels it’s hard to raise taxes on people when the state is banking so much money. He said the fuel tax it will go towards anyone who comes through Wyoming so it will not be on the citizens of Wyoming alone. He said Green River will receive a total of $924,789 for 2012 and $707,000 for 2013. He is hoping to add to this amount during the supplemental budget. He said the Goldenrod Estimation Report has the Rainy Day Fund starting at $1,026,000,000 and change, and the Reserve Account at $379 million. This makes the total for the Rainy Day Fund to be at $1,405,000,000. This money could have been used to help the cities and towns in Wyoming. The Wildlife Trust Challenge Account was extended and the Aquatic and Invasive Species Bill Council Workshop Proceedings April 10, 2012 Page 1 of 6 has been passed. There will be more Game and Fish inspectors at Flaming Gorge to keep the mussels out. He said he was disappointed in House Bill 121. This is the abandoned mine bill. He feels the money should be given to cities and towns that have mines in or around them. Around $20 to $30 million is being sent to the University of Wyoming. He said the legislative redistricting did not change this area very much. Council Member Boan asked if the federal government’s share is around $110 million a day then where is it going. It was earmarked for the highways and interstates in Wyoming and it is not going back there, so where is it going? Mr. Freeman said 60% of all money spent on the roads comes from the federal government. It is coming back to Wyoming. Council Member Boan asked how much tax they are looking at. Mr. Blake said around ten cents per gallon that would be spread over three years. Right now Wyoming is at fourteen cents per gallon. The money does not go directly to highways and interstates. It goes to many other things to. Council Member McCullough thanked them both for their hard work. He said if anyone is interested in running for the legislature or a government position they can apply in May. He asked if there was anyway an option for a lottery could be put on the ballot. There are some people who want the lottery in Wyoming, and if the option for it stays in the legislature it will never be brought to the people. The Mayor thanked them for coming. He extended an invitation to them for the 6th Cent Initiative on Monday, April 16, 2012 at 7 pm. Police Department Customer Survey Results Chief Steffen said the Police Department came up with a City Survey that was distributed in February 2012. There were 4,600 surveys distributed and they received 673 responses back. Results:  How long have you lived in your current neighborhood - 17.5 years  Do you own or rent a house in Green River - majority own their homes  What is your age range – majority is 61 years or older  Have you ever had contact with a division of the GRPD – majority with the Patrol Division  Were you a victim of a crime, witness, suspect, reporting person, or a concerned citizen – majority were victims  What is your perception of crime in Green River – majority say it has remained the same  Have you limited or changed your activities due to your concern of crime – majority said no  How significant do you view the following in Green River: 1. Having your home burglarized – majority were concerned 2. Walking in Green River – majority were not concerned 3. Driving in Green River – majority were not concerned 4. Children are safe – majority were concerned 5. Drug use – majority were very concerned 6. Safety of schools – majority were concerned  To what extent are the issues listed a problem with the community: 1. Noisy neighbors – majority said it was negligible 2. Illegal dumping – majority said it was negligible 3. Illegally parked trailers/vehicles – majority said it was negligible 4. Cars not yielding to pedestrians – majority said it was somewhat 5. People driving and using cell phones – majority said it was significant 6. Public drinking/intoxication – majority said it was somewhat Council Workshop Proceedings April 10, 2012 Page 2 of 6  7. Stray/barking dogs – majority said it was somewhat 8. Vandalism/graffiti – majority said it was somewhat 9. Inadequate street lighting – majority said it was negligible  Where you treated courteously by the Police Department during any contact – majority said it was outstanding  Did an officer respond in a timely manner – majority said it was outstanding  Did the officer show concern for you and solving your problem – majority said it was outstanding  Did the officer seem knowledgeable and answer all the questions you had - majority said it was outstanding  Did the officer provide you with information about additional resources or agencies to co ntact for further assistance – majority said it was outstanding  Overall, how would you evaluate your satisfaction with the services you received from the GRPD – majority said it was outstanding  Would you like to see the D.A.R.E. Program returned – majority said yes. Chief Steffen said he was surprised that many citizens do not know that the D.A.R.E. Program is no longer offered. He said they reached their 90% benchmark for the survey. He said they plan to do another survey in the future. He said he contacted every single person who left their name and number on the survey. He thanked Patty Hastings, Denise Arellano, Linda Bunderman, Paula Siddoway, Burke Morin, Tom Jarvie, Doug Lauze, and Mark McDonald for their help putting the survey together. Council Member Killpack thanked him for conducting the survey. Council Member Boan said he was glad the survey had been conducted because it gives thecouncil good information that can be passed on to citizens. He said he likes the direction Chief Steffen is going with the Police Department. Chief Steffen said the survey results will be posted on the city’s website. If anyone has concerns or comments they can contact the PD. Council Member Smith said he is not surprised about the comments on cell phone usage. He said it is the most common item people bring up to him. They complain about citizens and police officers using cell phones while driving. He has noticed cell phone citations going up so it shows responsiveness. Council Member McCullough said the response they received was very high for as many questions there were. He said you will always get a higher return from senior citizens. Council Member Maes agreed with Council Member McCullough. She reminded everyone to call if they see a street light burned out because the city pays for it even if it isn’t working. Chief Steffen said the PD does poll checks every month. The Mayor thanked him and his staff for taking the initiative to do the survey. Montana Way Improvements Mr. Nelson said the 2013 Street Improvement areas include:  Pecan  Yates  Brandner  Summer View  Spring View  Montana Way o current street pavement width is 33.5’ it will go to 31’ o current sidewalk width is 3’, it will go to 4’ o back of new sidewalk will be about where it is now All of the street improvements will be reconstruction. Street grades overall are very flat. They can only be lowered by .1’ to .2’. All CB’s will stay where they are. Council Workshop Proceedings April 10, 2012 Page 3 of 6 Curb designs are standard 6” high back. Driveways and ADA requirements:  Incline slope 1.12 or 8%  Cross slope 1.50 or 2%  Some of the existing sidewalk does not meet the requirements for ADA slopes Mr. Canaday said Montana Way is very flat and does not give adequate water drainage to the catch basins. The street traditionally goes from the high back curb to the driveway cut at a two-percent grade. If he lowers the curb two-tenths of a foot he would have to go three feet into the driveway to make the ADA slope. He would like to have the taper come off of the high-back curb, go up and then flatten out for the ADA requirements, and then transition to the driveway. This would help the water go in to the gutters. Council Member McCullough said if you do not keep the driveway area cleaned out the water pools there and freezes. He asked if this would eliminate the problem. Mr. Canaday said no, it would not eliminate it but it would help. There has to be flow in order to drain. Council Member Killpack asked if this was going to affect the sidewalk. Will it be flat for people to walk or run on it? Mr. Canaday said it will be a slight slope into the driveway but the sidewalks will remain flat. The Mayor asked if this was going to be done on Montana Way only. Mr. Canaday said yes, he would like to see how it does before they do it on other streets. The Mayor said we need to educate the residents as best as we can about what the plan is. He said there will be a big problem if they are not told what is going to happen. Council Member Smith said he is not a big fan of the high-back curbs because of the sloped driveway entrance. He said anything they can do to help with slope he will support. Mr. Nelson said in the past, the city has installed cleanout for sewers but they were advised not to do so any longer. Staff is recommending if a resident would like to have a sewer cleanout put in they can work with the contractor and pay him directly. The city would not pay for the service but it will still be an option for the resident. Council Member Smith asked if it was a building code requirement to have a sewer cleanout. Mr. Nelson said he does not know but he will find out. Council Member McCullough said he would think it would be the resident’s responsibility and expense. He would go with staff’s recommendation. Council Member Maes said she would support staff’s recommendation. She thinks it is a good idea to have a sewer cleanout. Council Member Boan asked what the cost of a sewer cleanout would be. He said they need to have more information on this in order to move forward. Council Member Killpack said he thinks the city should pay for it because when the street is replaced, the city replaces the sidewalks. If the city replaces the sewer then they can add them for a small amount. Council Member Smith said it all depends if it is a code requirement, and if so, the city should pay for it. Council Member Killpack asked if it is not code, should they make it so. Council Workshop Proceedings April 10, 2012 Page 4 of 6 Mr. Nelson said he would not recommend it. Health Insurance Ms. Robertson said she would like direction on the employee health insurance renewal. Wyoming Educators’ Benefits Trust needs the Employee Plan Selection document signed and returned by May 1, 2012. This just tells them that the city would like to continue with the WEBT plan which goes through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming. She would like to know how the governing body would like to pay for the increase in health cost which is 5.5%. The renewals are planned for May 10th and 11th. Council Member Killpack said this is a small increase and should be renewed just like it has been in the past. He would recommend that the city pay for the full increase of $96,000. Council Member Boan said the city absorbed the 12.5% increase in health insurance last year. He would like to pay for it but at some point it will have to end. He said they need to see the budget before they agree to pay for the full amount. He would like to know if there is a plan for a cost of living raise or anything else before he considers it. Council Member McCullough asked what percentage staff pays now. Ms. Robertson said it depends on what plan the employee picks and the premium. Council Member McCullough said staff should pay for some of the increase. Mr. Nieters said last year the city offered Plan A, B, and C. These plans all differ in the amount an employee pays depending on what they pick. Council Member Killpack said the motivation is to have everyone do Plan B, and if they choose another option then they will pay more. Mr. Nieters said it makes the employees more aware because they know they have a $1,000 deductable so they might think twice about it before they go to the doctor’s office. Council Member Maes said before there was only one rate. You did not have a choice. It is a good deal for the employees and she would like to continue covering the full increase. Council Member Smith said he likes having the insurance choices and he would agree to cover the increase. Council consensus was to put it on the next meeting’s agenda. City Administrator’s Report Mr. Nieters had nothing to report. Mayor and Council Reports Council Member Killpack said there are some lights that are out at the Roosevelt Park area. Council Members Boan and Maes had nothing to report. Council Member McCullough said if you would like to run for public office you can start the process in May. Council Member Smith said he attended a Chamber board meeting that was held in the basement of the Visitor’s Center and it looks very good. He said the Director of the Chamber of Commerce Janet Hartford handed in her resignation. If anyone knows of someone who would like to be the director please encourage them to apply. The National High School Rodeo Association Executive Committee will be in town later this week and will be attending a luncheon. He would like for someone from the council to attend. The Mayor said Council Members Boan and Killpack are planning to attend the luncheon. Council Workshop Proceedings April 10, 2012 Page 5 of 6 He said the Rockin’ River Chef’s Challenge will be May 4, 2012. They will be making desserts. He will be looking for volunteers to help with the challenge. He thanked Chief Steffen for conducting the survey. He also thanked Representatives’ Blake and Freeman for attending the meeting. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:28 pm. ______________________________ H. Castillon, Mayor ATTEST: _____________________________ Jeffrey V. Nieters, City Clerk Council Workshop Proceedings April 10, 2012 Page 6 of 6