City Council Committee Agendas

Mount Vernon City Council Finance Committee Parks & Enrichment Committee Minutes October 25, 2017 Present: Councilmembers Fiedler, Hulst, Hudson, Molenaar, Ragan and Quam Staff present: Doug Volesky, Kevin Rogerson, Chief Brice, Chief Dodd, Peter Donovan, Kandy Bartlett, Jason Brickley, Gary Owens, Esco Bell, Bill King, Blaine Chesterfield, Isaac Huffman, Mike Love and Chris Phillips 1) Minutes from September 2017 were approved. 2) Finance Department: a) Doug reviewed the 2018 Budget process and indicated that the timeline that had been set out in July was still on track. b) Employee Medical Benefit Rates – the City does not have final rates yet, estimates for rate increases are coming in higher than expected and Kandy Bartlett is working on negotiating those down. i) Decision Points in the budget: (1) Surface Water Rate Increase- John Ghilarducci from FCS Group came forward with more models on rate adjustments. This group focused on the revenue required for the Surface Water Utility to accomplish the necessary capital projects. These projects are replacement and repair projects. FCS recommends that the ESU average be changed to 3,200 from the current 2,695. This will raise the residential rate and potentially lower commercial rate. A rate credit could be received for on-site storm water management. John presented two scenarios for a phased in rate increase structure. Using the $9, 10 & 11 phase-in there is a $1 million shortage for capital projects. A $10, 11, 12 phase-in would provide adequate funding in the long run for projects. Councilmember Fiedler asked that Blaine bring forward a prioritization of the capital projects for them to consider while making this decision. (2) Police – Councilmember Fiedler said that he thinks the new FTE request for the Police Department is important. (3) Police – Councilmember Fiedler indicated that he thinks that the department’s request for a new multipurpose vehicle may not get approved. (4) Community Action request – Councilmember Fiedler asked that staff create a formal recommendation for utilizing the CDBG funds for this. (5) Sales Tax Revenue Projection – Doug has revised his estimate for 2017 because of the jail sales tax revenue that was received in 2016. The November and December 2016 sales tax revenue was pushed higher due to construction activity, and it would not be prudent to project that same level of revenue for 2017. (6) Property Tax Revenue – Councilmembers stated that they would be agreeable to taking action on the property tax levy and the 2018 budget on the same night. (7) Purchasing of Paver – Esco came forward to review the advantage of the City owning a paver that would be used for the repair projects that are considered as “in between size”. These are not economical to bid out to a contractor and the City does not have the equipment to do the work. If the paver was only used two weeks a year it would take 5 to 9 years to recoup the expense. c) Sales tax collected for October was $20,000 over the same period last year. The City has collected 80% of the budgeted estimates for this year. 3) Parks and Enrichment Services: Bill reviewed various department works that have been finished or are in progress. City of Mount Vernon Finance Committee September 27, 2017 Page 2 a) The Mount Vernon School District comprehensive agreement will be presented to Council for consideration at the Regular Meeting tonight. There are many advantages to both the School District and the City. This could be a considered as “pay as you go” agreement. b) The sewer line replacement project at Hillcrest Park is complete. c) Various projects were completed for winter preparation as well as recovery from recent wind storms. d) Stokley Tower – The ladder and anti-climbing system was replaced in September and included covering the graffiti. e) Disc Golf at Edgewater Park is moving forward. The Mount Vernon Parks Foundation and other volunteers will be helping pull the noxious weeds in the area. f) Events – The Recreation Division is working on various projects: i) There will be luminary lantern workshops in November leading up to the Christmas Parade where participants of the workshops will be welcome to walk and carry their luminaries. ii) A Veterans Day Celebration is being planned for Saturday, November 11 th. iii) Breakfast with Santa and the Children’s shopping extravaganza will be held December 2 nd . iv) The Christmas Parade and free showing of Arthur’s Christmas will be December 3 rd. Adjourned at p.m.6:49 Rebecca Wade Submitted by Rebecca J. Wade