City Council

October 9, 2014 CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS Budget Workshop City Council Room 2:00 PM PRESENT: Joanne Yepsen, Mayor Michele Madigan, Commissioner of Finance John Franck, Commissioner of Accounts Christian Mathiesen, Commissioner of DPS STAFF PRESENT: Joe Ogden, Deputy Mayor Lynn Bachner, Deputy Commissioner, Finance Sharon Kellner-Byrnes, Deputy Commissioner, Accounts Eileen Finneran, Deputy Commissioner, DPS EXCUSED: Anthony Scirocco, Commissioner of DPW Tim Cogan, Deputy Commissioner, DPW RECORDING OF PROCEEDING The proceedings of this meeting were taped for the benefit of the secretary. Because the minutes are not a verbatim record of the proceedings, the minutes are not a word-for-word transcript. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Yepsen called the meeting to order at 2:09 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENT Mayor Yepsen opened the public comment period at 2:10 p.m. No one spoke. Mayor Yepsen closed the public comment period at 2:10 p.m. BUDGET WORKSHOP Commissioner Madigan advised this is the first budget workshop for the 2015 Comprehensive Budget. She provided the Council with change forms to use should they need to make a change (expense or revenue) to their submitted budget. Commissioner Madigan explained she made 2 modifications to the Capital Budget. The changes are as follows:  City Way Finding Program – Commissioner Madigan believes the City should match outside funds received and hold bonding until match amounts are committed. Mayor Yepsen advised the Capital Program Committee agreed to an amount of $100,000. Budget Workshop 10/9/14 Commissioner Madigan confirmed it was $100,000 from the City and $100,000 from outside funds. Mayor Yepsen stated if the City is not showing a commitment, it will be hard to get the outside people to step up. Commissioner Madigan stated it is important to show they have a match contribution before we bond taxpayer money. Joe Ogden stated the modification recommended $100,000 can stand by itself. They can do a trial run with a block or two. Having $100,000 will incentivize the private donations. Commissioner Madigan stated she will take this under advisement but it is poor budgeting. Joe Ogden advised the Special Assessment District spent $40,000 to do the study. He doesn’t think this should be contingent of the other donations as the $100,000 can stand on its own. This is a project they feel strongly about and will have a good return on investment. Commissioner Madigan stated when we look for private donations we look for a letter of intent on behalf of those donations. That will play well with the taxpayers when bonding money. Brad Birge added this project has multiple benefits; one of which is directional. This is also safety related when people are going through intersections and don’t know where they are going. It is important for our local businesses and not-for-profits. He hopes to get some of these in the ground in the spring in time for our centennial celebrations/events. Mayor Yepsen stated this isn’t just directional it is aesthetic. Commissioner Madigan stated they made some good points. It is in the comprehensive budget and it is her recommendation that we have the match.  Security – Commissioner Madigan advised the project description was revised to include a consultant in case it is decided an expert is needed.  Waterfront Park – Commissioner Madigan advised very little has been provided regarding operating costs. She suspects there will be substantial operating costs for labor and maintenance. Joe Ogden stated it will depend on what the Waterfront morphs into. There is some costs already budgeted into DPWs budget. We are not talking about swimming or additional City sponsored recreation activities at this point. Commissioner Madigan advised the Finance Department has no changes to its budget at this time. She has added $2,500 for the Vietnam War Anniversary. Mayor Yepsen stated she appreciated Commissioner Madigan adding the money for the Vietnam War Anniversary. The Committee has worked hard on this. Commissioner Madigan stated she will continue to review revenues as they go through the budget season. Mortgage tax was received yesterday and under budget by $250,000, as expected. They will be reviewing health insurance allocations for all departments for employee changes. This figure may be revised in a couple weeks. City Council had no additional comments. The next budget meeting is scheduled for October 14, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. for the Mayor’s Department and the Recreation Department. Page 2 of 3 Budget Workshop 10/9/14 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mayor Yepsen adjourned the meeting at 2:34 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Ribis Clerk Approved: 11/3/14 Vote: 5 - 0 Page 3 of 3