City Council Meetings

City of Green River, City Council Workshop Proceedings for June 14, 2016, 6:30 pm, Council Chambers, Mayor Pete Rust called the meeting to order. The following Council Members were present: Gary Killpack, Brett Stokes, Lisa Maes, Mark Peterson, Ted Barney and Allan Wilson. The following were present representing the City: City Administrator Reed Clevenger, Human Resources Director Cari Kragovich, Director of Finance Chris Meats, Director of Public Works Mark Westenskow, Director of Community Development Laura Profazier, and Parks & Recreation Director Brad Raney. Community Service Requests: Council Member Stokes apologized for the miscommunication that took place at the last council meeting. He misunderstood that the Flaming Gorge Days Committee was supposed to be in attendance but they were not. He said the STAR Transit said they would pull services they provide from Green River if the city did not fund them fully. He spoke with Judy and she explained that she did not say that or mean it if it came across that way. Council Member Barney said he explained to the Flaming Gorge Days Committee that he wanted financial documents from them before budget and if he did not get them he would vote against funding them. He suggested building a stage so all events could use it and the Flaming Gorge Days Committee would not have to ask for $26,000 of funding for a stage. He recommends the funding for the STAR Transit stay at $10,000 the same because the $22,520 they requested is only 1.3% of their budget; the majority of their budget is federally funded so even with the cut it isn’t a large portion of their budget. Mr. Clevenger said the Arts Council is requesting their budget be increased to cover the cost of the event that takes place in August. They were not aware of any cuts. Mr. Clevenger said the Arts Council was unaware that their budget had been cut and they plan their event in August planning for the full $25,000 in funding. They have asked for $30,000 and it was cut to $15,000. If they receive funding less than the $25,000 they will not have the funding they need for the event and they will not have time to fundraise to make up the difference. They have asked for the council to reconsider the funding amount. Council Member Wilson recommended the funding to be set as follows: Star Transit $20,000; Flaming Gorge Days $20,000; and the Art Council at $20,000. Council Member Peterson said we ended the last budget meeting in the hole around $36,000 and we have instructed staff to take the shortfall from savings. He doesn’t understand why people are asking for money but they are not here. Mr. Clevenger presented council with a balanced budget before and we kept changing it. Mr. Clevenger said funding the community service agencies at $147,000 would mean we are in the black by $2,200 but it has changed. Council Member Peterson said he agrees with funding Flaming Gorge Days $21,600; STAR Transit $20,000 and the Youth Home $8,000. Council Member Barney said he will stick to what he said last budget meeting. Council Member Maes said the STAR bus does provide a door to door service in Green River. They need to have the funding so people are not stranded over in Rock Springs for eight hours before they can ride the bus again. She recommends to keep funding for STAR Transit $20,000; Flaming Gorge Days at $20,000 and she agrees to look into building a stage; and the Arts Council $25,000. Council Member Killpack said he agrees to fund Flaming Gorge Days $20,000; Star Transit $20,000; the Arts Council $25,000. He would also like to see the Chamber of Commerce cut to $80,000 and a 1% raise for employees and add longevity back in. Council Member Stokes said keep Flaming Gorge Days $20,000; STAR Transit $20,000; Arts Council $20,000 to $25,000 whatever we can do and if we can afford an increase for employees then that should be done. The Mayor said he agrees with $20,000 for STAR Transit; Flaming Gorge Days $20,000; Arts Council $20,000. He would suggest holding off on a raise for employees until mid-year to see where the city is at. Council agreed if the city can give employees an increase then it should be done. Council Page 1 of 2 Member Killpack said it doesn’t look good that the council is doing everything they can to fund community service agencies but we aren’t doing anything to give raises to employees. If we have to wait until December that’s fine but we need to look at trying to give them something. Council Member Wilson said he is for giving them a raise but council needs to remember that we are absorbing the health insurance increase. Council Members agreed. Schedule of Fees: Parks Department fees: Parks Shelter fee for non-profit at $15; Summer Day Camp $700 for the entire summer, weekly $80, and daily $20; Tough Turkey Volleyball early registration fees $200; Rodeo arena usage public function fee $200, Group recurring use fee per person $5, holding pen fee for club or nonprofit per month up to 50 head $30, holding pen commercial per day/per head fee $100, nonresident per day per head $5; Recreation passes: Annual family pass $700, Seniors 60 to 79 Recreation monthly pass $15, annual pass $150. Recreation Center summer pass $55, annual pass promotion added, seniors over 80 years of age or older free; Mr. Meats explained that if council approves seniors over 80 as free they will be going against legal counsel’s recommendation. Police Department fees: color photos per photo $1; contact/record checks $5; state reports $3; incident reports $5; large report surcharge over 10 pages $.50 per page; photo CD’s $5. Public Works fees: Garbage increase of 2% around $.50 per month for residential customers, Sewer rate increase 11% under $2.00 per month on residential, water increase 4% which is $2 per month or less for residential minimum usage. Community Development fees for copies on 11x17 paper will be $.20 per sheet and building plan copies larger than 11x17 $3 per sheet. Mr. Clevenger said the Joint Powers Water Board project contractor has asked the city council for permission to work at night beginning immediately. They are putting a black cover down and it gets too hot during the day to lay it down and try to cover it properly. Council said it would be fine for them to work at night. Council Member Killpack asked if council has agreed to give employees a 1% increase. Mr. Clevenger said they will have to look at the numbers and gather everything before the council can decide. Council Member Killpack said the council should give the staff direction not to take it out. Council agreed to keep the 1% increase for employees in the budget if at all possible. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 7:53 pm. __________________________ Pete Rust, Mayor ATTEST: ____________________________ Chris Meats, City Clerk Page 2 of 2