Board of Commissioners Meetings

57 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of A Called Work Session Meeting on May 18, 2021 A Work Session of the Board of Commissioners of the City of Henderson, Kentucky, was held on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, at 3:00 p.m., prevailing time with no primary location designated for this video teleconference meeting as the result of the state of emergency declared by the President of the United States and the Governor of Kentucky due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, and in accordance with recommended and mandated precautions related to COVID-19 per the Kentucky Attorney General Opinion 20-05, public attendance was limited at this meeting due to the highly contagious nature of COVID-19. It is not feasible for the City to maintain order and abide by recommended and mandated precautions while providing a central physical location for public viewing. The meeting was conducted in accordance with KRS 61.826, and SB 150. There were present Mayor Steve Austin presiding: PRESENT: Commissioner Rodney Thomas Commissioner Austin P. Vowels Commissioner Robert N. Pruitt Commissioner Bradley S. Staton CITY STAFF MEMBERS included: William L. “Buzzy” Newman, Jr., City Manager; Dawn Kelsey, City Attorney; Maree Collins, City Clerk; Donna Stinnett, Community Relations Manager/Public Information Officer; Robert Gunter, Finance Director; Scott Foreman, Fire Chief; Heath Cox, Police Chief; Connie Galloway, Human Resources Director; Brian Williams, Public Works Director; Trace Stevens, Parks and Recreation Director; Owen Reeves, Gas System Director; Tim Clayton, Gas Operations Manager; Dylan Ward, Project Manager; Jordan Webb, Communications 911; Ray Nix, Code Administrator; Karla Beckgerd, Human Resources Specialist; Francis Maloney, Benefits Coordinator; Regenia Bender, Benefits Coordinator; Greg Nunn, IT Director; and Cory Fischbeck, IT Applications Programming Manager ALSO PRESENT: Benji Marrs, BimGroup Senior Vice President (via Zoom video panelist); and Kevin Patton, The Gleaner (via Zoom) THE FOLLOWING AGENDA ITEM WAS DISCUSSED: 1. Review and Discussion of Fiscal Year 2022 Budget  Mr. William L. “Buzzy” Newman, Jr., City Manager, gave a brief presentation regarding the upcoming budget constraints and capital expenditures to be included in the FY2022 budget.  Mr. Benji Marrs, Senior Vice President BimGroup, indicated that due to the rising costs of medical and prescriptions two plan options for employee health benefit plans were being considered for the upcoming fiscal year. Both plans are calculated to be revenue neutral and give employees better control over expenses and coverage.  Mr. Robert Gunter, Finance Director, reported on the proposed Revenues and Expense Summaries which includes CARES and Recovery Act dollars.  Mrs. Connie Galloway, Human Resources Director, reviewed the proposed employee reclassifications for department restructuring and succession planning.  Mr. Robert Gunter, Finance Director, indicated that the Finance department is moving toward automated meter reading; discussed proposed changes in customer service to include a 24-hour payment kiosk and the possibility of conducting a pay study in the near future due to the number of reclassification requests reviewed during this budget process.  Mr. Trace Stevens, Parks Recreation and Cemeteries Director, discussed plans for opening the pool this season and requested a pay rate increase for lifeguards and other pool employees. He further indicated that the downtown water feature was in need of renovation or replacement in the near future.  Mr. Owen Reeves, Gas System Director, reported that approximately one mile of pipeline is replaced each year; that this year his department had no loss time  58 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of A Called Work Session Meeting on May 18, 2021 accidents; and that they have three major relocation projects scheduled for this year.  Mr. William L. “Buzzy” Newman, Jr., City Manager, reported that staff has gone above and beyond in managing staff and expenses. He is proud of what has been accomplished during the pandemic. There will be a lot of financial challenges this upcoming year, but this year has shown that staff is up to the challenge. DISCUSSION WAS HELD relating to the budget process; the uncertainties in planning the upcoming capital projects during this pandemic; capital projects that were funded as well as those that were not; proposed employee benefit plan changes; reclassification of employees due in large part to department reorganization and succession planning; recruitment/retention of employees; and in lieu of taxes disparity among utilities. NO FORMAL ACTION WAS TAKEN BY THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS. ________________________ MEETING ADJOURN: MOTION by Commissioner Staton, seconded by Commissioner Pruitt to adjourn. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Thomas -- Aye: Commissioner Vowels --- Aye: Commissioner Pruitt ----- Aye: Commissioner Staton ---- Aye: Mayor Austin ------------- Aye: WHEREUPON Mayor Austin declared the work session adjourned at approximately 5:00 p.m. ATTEST: ________________________ Steve Austin, Mayor ________________________ April 26, 2022 Maree Collins, CKMC City Clerk