City Council

DocuSign Envelope ID: 897EDE39-F2FC-40A4-B6B5-CA400CE4D5F6 MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL CITY OF SEAT PLEASANT FISCAL YEAR 2021 BUDGET HEARING SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2020 10:00A.M. 1. OPENING 1.1.1 Call to Order Councilmember President Yeargin called the meeting to order at 10:22a.m. 1.1.2 Roll Call Present: Mayor Eugene Grant (Absent), Councilmember Charl Jones (Absent), Councilmember Hope Love (Absent), Councilmember Lamar Maxwell (Absent), Councilmember Shireka McCarthy, Councilmember Kelly Porter, Councilmember Gloria Sistrunk, Councilmember Reveral Yeargin Staff: C. Reginald Bagley, Brandon Booker, Acting Director of Economic Development, Monay Henry, Administrative Assistant, Marcus Jones, NCO, Dashaun N. Lanham, City Clerk, Sharron Lipford, Director of Public Engagement, Devan Martin, Acting Chief Operating Officer, Joel Montgomery, Acting Director of Public Works, Diamond Plater, Council Clerk, Kyrthlyn Rhoda, Grants Manager, 2. Meeting Topics 2.1.1. FY2021 Proposed Budget Hearing  Mr. Martin stated that the budget was reduced due to the information received from the State Comptroller Office a few weeks ago. We will have some businesses closed due to the pandemic, which will impact taxes and businesses licenses. The core goal is to provide the Charter Mandated services.  Mr. Martin read the Revenue and Expense Summary from pages 10 and 11.  Mr. Martin stated that we are averaging about 200 vehicles per day and normally we average about 500,000 vehicles per day because we are the gateway community to the District of Columbia. Page 1 of 3 DocuSign Envelope ID: 897EDE39-F2FC-40A4-B6B5-CA400CE4D5F6  Mr. Martin stated that we are projecting a reduction in the grant revenues due to the information we received from the County and the State.  Mr. Martin stated that the biggest area is the tax revenue and the proposed budget revenue is $9,606,604. This is only a projection and as we get into the budget and we see the revenues coming in higher, we will present to the council for recommendation from the administration.  Mr. Martin stated that the reductions had been proposed across the board. The increase in Administration is to include an Administrative Assistance, The Human Resources is the cost of benefits and Chesapeake Insurance for the Workers Compensation. We had presented a new policy to the City Council, which was approved to allow us to evaluate the injured personnel while out to reduce the cost to the government.  Mr. Martin stated that the changes in Economic Development is the change due to the project being completed in the first quarter of the budget. Public Engagement and Environmental Justice Department is due to the restructuring of the government. The expenses related to the speed camera is expected to be reduced. We are not providing any events or conferences and conventions.  Councilmember Sistrunk inquired about the difference in the numbers on page 7 and page 11.  Councilmember McCarthy stated that the residence that had been calling and texting with difficulties to get in will they have an opportunity to provide comment?  Councilmember McCarthy stated that while we are only providing the core services of the government this will change the strategic plan outcomes with dates for completion on page 5.  Councilmember Sistrunk wanted to know if a person with a financial background will be reviewing the budget? She is concerned about the fact that the audit was due in November and it has not been completed.  Mr. Martin stated that Ms. Scarfo was a contractor and under his tenure the city had decided to go in a different direction. We have employed a CPA Firm this week and we will provide an update to the Governmental Affairs Committee on Monday, May 18, 2020.  Mr. Martin stated that the Audit was extended, and we are currently working to complete the audit. The financial numbers in the budget is based upon the information from MML and the State Comptroller. As we are working through the document and if you have any questions, we will get the information back to the Council. Page 2 of 3 DocuSign Envelope ID: 897EDE39-F2FC-40A4-B6B5-CA400CE4D5F6  Councilmember Sistrunk wanted to know if we should join the next meeting with the same telephone number.  City Clerk Lanham stated that we are going to check the WebEx to ensure everyone can join via video. We will send update information to ensure the public, staff and elected officials can join.  Councilmember McCarthy stated that the WebEx platform is having technical issues as she had trouble accessing her account. CITIZEN’S COMMENTS:  We did not have any citizens provide comment due to technical issues with the WebEx meeting platform. 4. ANNOUNCEMENTS 4.1. Fiscal Year 2021 Budget Review, Saturday, May 16, 2020, Seat Pleasant City Hall-Council Chambers, or by Conference Call from 12:00pm-5:30p.m. 4.2 Regular Work Session, Monday, June 1, 2020, Seat Pleasant City Hall- Council Chambers, or by Video Conference at 6:00p.m. 4.3 Public Session, Monday, June 8, 2020, Seat Pleasant City Hall-Council Chambers, or by Video Conference at 7:00p.m. Adjourn: The Budget hearing adjourned at 11:15 a.m. Submitted by, Dashaun N. Lanham, CMC City Clerk Page 3 of 3