City Council

CITY OF POCATELLO, IDAHO CITY COUNCIL MEETING - BUDGET DEVELOPMENT MAY 4, 2017 Council President Steve Brown called the City Council meeting for budget development to order at 9:01 a.m. Council members present were Heidi Adamson, Roger Bray, Jim Johnston, Gary Moore and Michael L. Orr. Mayor Brian Blad arrived at 9:04 a.m. Joyce Stroschein, Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer, stated that information regarding budgets for City departments would be presented. She gave an overview of the material that would be discussed to determine the Fiscal Year 2018 budget and announced that department briefings would be held at this time. Ms. Stroschein gave an update regarding a Public Employee Retirement System contribution rate increase for employers and employees. The increase will become effective July 1, 2018. Mr. Brown announced the Council would review various topics regarding development of the proposed Fiscal Year 2018 Budget. Mayor Blad joined the meeting at 9:04 a.m. at which time Council President Brown turned the Chair of the meeting over to Mayor Blad. -STREET OPERATIONS Tom Kirkman, Street Operations Superintendent, and Joyce FISCAL YEAR 2018 Stroschein, Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer, gave an overview of BUDGET OVERVIEW the estimated Street Operations Department budget for Fiscal Year 2018. Mr. Kirkman shared the Department’s mission statement. Mission: To provide services related to the safe and efficient movement of traffic on the 249 miles of city maintained streets, within the incorporated city limits. Mr. Kirkman gave an overview of the Fiscal Year 2016 Service Summary of Key Services Provided and output summary. Measures of effectiveness and key accomplishments for the department were reviewed. Street crews treated 33.2 miles of roadway, equaling 14% of the road network; completed the Olympus Widening Project; completed upgrades for storm water; completed rights-of-way projects; pavement marking crews; and traffic operations center. Issues and concerns for the department were also reviewed. Ms. Stroschein explained personnel and health benefit increases for the department. The revenue anticipated for Fiscal Year 2018 was reviewed and how funds are utilized for projects and needs within the department. Budget authority increase request and capital improvement wish list was reviewed. The following items are a partial list of items requested: Street Sweeping Labor $94,500.00; Part-time seasonal abatement employees $115,000.00; Storm Water funding $100,000.00; and Right-of-Way Acquisition $100,000.00.  2 CITY OF POCATELLO BUDGET DEVELOPMENT MEETING MAY 4, 2017 -STREET OPERATIONS Deirdre Castillo, City Engineer, and Joyce Stroschein, Chief Financial FEDERAL AID Officer/Treasurer, gave an overview of the estimated Street FISCAL YEAR 2018 Operations Department Federal Aid Budget for Fiscal Year 2018. Deirdre Castillo, City Engineer, gave an overview of projected expenses for Fiscal Year 2018 federal aid projects. The following anticipated expenses are: Administrative Fees $8,888.00; Center Street Underpass $17,500.00; and South Valley Road (loan payment) $250,000.00. Ms. Castillo gave an overview of the federal aid projects and shared ideas to keep costs to a minimum. Council discussion continued regarding placing funds in reserve for future projects. -VIDEO SERVICES Logan McDougall, Video Services Director, and Joyce Stroschein, FISCAL YEAR 2018 Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer, gave an overview of the estimated BUDGET REVIEW Video Services Department budget for Fiscal Year 2018. Mr. McDougall shared the department’s mission statement. Mission: To advance democratic ideals and the marketplace of ideas by providing government access programming, ensuring public access to television media, and promoting effective uses of media. Mr. McDougall gave an overview of the output of staff, Measures of Effectiveness and issues/concerns. Ms. Stroschein reviewed the Fiscal Year 2018 budget expenses and anticipated revenues for the Video Services department. In response to questions from Council, Mr. McDougall explained his position, as the City’s Public Information Officer (PIO), is split between all city departments. His ongoing outreach to the media and potential as an Economic Development tool was highlighted. Council discussion regarding health benefit increases and the rising costs for employee benefits followed. It was noted that it is difficult to determine what changes an employee may have within a department that may affect health benefit costs for the City. Mayor Blad called for a recess at 10:50 a.m. Mayor Blad reconvened the meeting at 11:09 a.m. -PLANNING AND Melanie Gygli, Interim Planning and Development Director, and DEVELOPMENT Joyce Stroschein, Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer, gave an SERVICES overview of the estimated Planning and Development Services FISCAL YEAR 2018 budget for Fiscal Year 2018. BUDGET REVIEW  3 CITY OF POCATELLO BUDGET DEVELOPMENT MEETING MAY 4, 2017 Ms. Gygli reviewed the department’s mission statement. Mission: We provide superior service by working together for the common good and our common goals; always listening, helping, learning, educating with every opportunity, emphasizing the strengths of our community; carefully promoting opportunity; and continually seeking to improve our health, safety and the quality of life in Pocatello. Ms. Gygli gave an overview of the output of staff, Measures of Effectiveness, Key accomplishments and issues/concerns. She reported the following: Title 16 “Subdivision Regulations” repealed/replaced; Title 15, Chapter 20 “Sign Code” revised; Title 15, Chapter 42 “Wireless Communications Towers and Facilities” repealed/replaced; Title 17, Zoning Ordinance revised; and the Urban Service Boundary was extended to the northeast. Two awards were received for department projects. Ms. Strochein reviewed the department’s proposed budget and estimated increase in personnel and health benefit costs for Fiscal Year 2018. It was clarified that the individual who is planning to retire in Fiscal Year 2018 may not. However, the retirement costs have been allocated for when this does occur. Upcoming needs are: proposed increase in the fee amount paid to the City’s hearing examiners. It was noted that the examiner position is filled by professionals in the field and four individuals are on the list to serve in this capacity. Planning staff explained each individual spends many hours serving as a hearing examiner and are subject to stressful situations. Proposed fee increase for Conditional Use permits and proposed fee decrease for staff determinations of zoning district boundaries and ordinance interpretation. -NEIGHBORHOOD AND Melanie Gygli, Neighborhood and Community Services Division COMMUNITY SERVICES Manager; and Joyce Stroschein, Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer; FISCAL YEAR 2018 gave an overview of the estimated Neighborhood and Community BUDGET OVERVIEW Services budget for Fiscal Year 2018. Ms. Gygli explained the department’s mission statement. Mission: Enhance affordable housing for low- and moderate-income households through rehabilitation and infill development; provide a suitable living environment by improving public facilities; and provide social services and enhance economic development for low- and moderate-income areas. This department is part of Community Development Block Grant funds. Ms. Gygli gave an overview of the output of staff, Measures of Effectiveness, Key accomplishments and issues/concerns. She explained staff has written grants for various needs in the past. However, the process has changed greatly and the department would need to hire an individual that specializes in writing grants. Ms. Gygli added that grant funds are very difficult to find at this time.  4 CITY OF POCATELLO BUDGET DEVELOPMENT MEETING MAY 4, 2017 Ms. Stroschein reviewed the department’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2018. She noted that an individual is scheduled to retire in 2018 and the position classification may change based upon the proposed compensation plan. -BUILDING Lynn Transtrum, Building Official, and Joyce Stroschein, Chief DEPARTMENT Financial Officer/Treasurer gave an overview of the estimated FISCAL YEAR Building Department’s Budget for Fiscal Year 2018. BUDGET REVIEW Mr. Transtrum explained the department’s mission statement. Mission: Promote building safety through code compliance, assist citizens, contractors and design professionals in completing successful building projects, enhance neighborhood quality of life and assure Pocatello is compliant with state building code laws. Mr. Transtrum gave an overview of the output of staff, Measures of Effectiveness, Key accomplishments and issues/concerns. Joyce Stroschein reviewed the department’s proposed Fiscal Year 2018 budget. The decrease in personnel wages for Fiscal Year 2018 was reviewed. Two retirements were scheduled in Fiscal Year 2017 and one occurred. She explained the unused retirement funds were placed in a reserve account and the result is a decrease in personnel expenses for Fiscal Year 2018. Mr. Transtrum gave an overview of the following upcoming needs for the department: a) books and manuals for code book updates $1,000.00; and b) purchase a used vehicle to replace 2003 vehicle $20,000.00. Mayor Blad called for a recess at 12:08 p.m. Mayor Blad reconvened the meeting at 1:37 p.m. -ANIMAL SERVICES Rhett Nicks, Animal Services Director, and Joyce Stroschein, Chief FISCAL YEAR 2018 Financial Officer/Treasurer gave an overview of the estimated BUDGET REVIEW Animal Services Budget for Fiscal Year 2018. Mr. Nicks explained the department’s mission statement. Mission: To save as many animals as possible, to exercise compassion and concern for the animals under our care, to educate the public in a respectful and positive manner, and to provide prompt, courteous, sensitive and effective service. To serve the people and pets of Pocatello. Mr. Nicks gave an overview of the output of staff, Measures of Effectiveness, Key accomplishments and issues/concerns. He noted that a volunteer veterinarian is providing roughly 20 to 30 hours a  5 CITY OF POCATELLO BUDGET DEVELOPMENT MEETING MAY 4, 2017 week of care for the shelter’s animals. She checks each animal and gives suggestions for care. Mr. Nicks explained the stray cat population in the community is a big issue. The shelter euthanized almost 700 cats last year. He mentioned that many of the cats were more akin to wildlife than domestic pets. Mr. Brown was excused from the meeting at 1:52 p.m. Ms. Stroschein reviewed the department’s proposed Fiscal Year 2018 budget. She explained the increase in personnel costs is associated with the compensation pay plan and an increase in health benefit costs. General discussion regarding veterinary care for shelter animals and associated costs to incorporate this service at the shelter followed. The current volunteer veterinarian is a great resource for the shelter and appreciation of her service was acknowledged by the Council. Upcoming needs/goals for the department are: a) reorganize the volunteer coordinator to adoption supervisor; b) supplies-food and litter for animal care increase of $3,000.00; and c) professional services for veterinary services and other items increase of $8,000.00. Mr. Nicks reviewed the following proposed fee increases: a) cat license $5.00; b) Cats microchip procedure $15.00. -CEMETERY DIVISION Martin Peace, Cemetery Sexton; John Banks, Parks and Recreation FISCAL YEAR 2018 Director; and Joyce Stroschein, Financial Officer/Treasurer; gave an BUDGET OVERVIEW overview of the estimated Cemetery Division Budget for Fiscal Year 2018. Mr. Banks explained the department’s mission statement. Mission: to provide a sanctuary of peace and to ensure that the cemeteries function efficiently, are properly maintained, and the public’s needs are met through timely and courteous service. Mr. Banks gave an overview of the output of staff, Measures of Effectiveness, Key accomplishments and issues/concerns. Upcoming needs are: Flat Bed Dump truck and infrastructure needs (irrigation system mainline replacement at Mountain View Cemetery). Joyce Stroschein reviewed the department’s proposed Fiscal Year 2018 budget. She explained a retirement in the cemetery administrative office was budgeted in Fiscal Year 2017 so the personnel costs for Fiscal Year 2018 are lower. Ms. Stroschein noted that anticipated cemetery revenue for Fiscal Year 2018 has not been determined. Increased labor costs for cemetery maintenance were discussed.  6 CITY OF POCATELLO BUDGET DEVELOPMENT MEETING MAY 4, 2017 -MARSHALL PUBLIC Eric Suess, Library Director, and Joyce Stroschein, Chief Financial LIBRARY Officer/Treasurer; gave an overview of the estimated Budget for FISCAL YEAR 2018 Fiscal Year 2018. BUDGET REVIEW Mr. Suess explained the department’s mission statement. Mission: In fulfilling its critical role in the community, the Marshall Public Library provides a vibrant lifelong learning center with information resources and programs to support the overall quality of life through an educated population, an informed electorate, and a dynamic economy. Vision – By merging the best of tradition and technology, the Marshall Public Library aspires to provide: public library services for all people, beginning in the formative years; a foundation for community and economic development; a gathering and meeting place for cultural and intergenerational activity, and to meet the need of the community for informational, education, recreational, and personal growth. Mr. Suess gave an overview of the output of staff, Measures of Effectiveness, Key accomplishments and issues/concerns. He shared his concerns regarding antiquated and barely functioning security cameras and problems with lighting and fixtures in the library. Ms. Stroschein gave an overview of the library’s proposed Fiscal Year 2018 budget. She noted there is an increase in the personnel budget as a result of the compensation pay plan and health benefit increases. Mr. Suess gave an overview of the following upcoming needs: a) camera system replacement $11,620.00; b) light upgrade $106,865.00 ($35,483.00 in Idaho Power incentives). Ms. Stroschein gave an overview of City departments scheduled to give presentations at the May 11, 2017 Budget meeting which will begin immediately after the 9:00 a.m. Study Session. There being no further business, Mayor Blad adjourned the meeting at 3:13 p.m. APPROVED: BRIAN C. BLAD, MAYOR PREPARED BY AND ATTEST: RUTH E. WHITWORTH, CMC, CITY CLERK