Budget Hearings

MINUTES Tuesday, August 21, 2018 CIP - Budget Hearings 3 PM Carnegie Town Hall Sioux Falls City Council 235 West 10th Street Members Present: Janet Brekke, Christine M. Erickson, Rick Kiley, Greg Neitzert, Marshall Selberg, Curt Soehl, Pat Starr, Theresa Stehly Members Absent: None 1. Call to Order City Council Chair Christine M. Erickson called the meeting to order at 3 p.m. 2. Approval of Minutes A. Budget Hearing of Tuesday, August 14, 2018, at 2 p.m. A motion was made by Rick Kiley and seconded by Curt Soehl to approve the minutes. City Council Chair Christine M. Erickson called for a voice vote. All members said yes. Motion Passed. 3. Open Discussion Councilor Theresa Stehly spoke about visiting high police call volume neighborhoods, how there are people trying to make a difference, and that they should be listened to. Councilor Rick Kiley thanked the Public Works Department for getting street lights put up in a neighborhood. Stehly thanked Erica Beck for working towards establishing better communications with the public. Erickson asked the Council to work with David Bixler, Budget Analyst, if they have any additional budget questions for the directors or departments. She said there is a potential for a working session in the next couple of weeks. 4. Budget Hearings A. Public Health by Jill Franken, Public Health Director Franken gave thanks to those who helped put together their budget. She spoke about: the proposed $13.4 million Public Health budget, which covers the Falls Community Health programs and services, and community health, safety and code enforcement services; the 2019 Operating Budget by Program and the various sources of funds used for their budget; and the 2019 Operating Budget by Category, which includes additional staff, interpreter services, supplies and pharmaceutical services. Discussion followed regarding: a request to add 11 new employees; why patients go to the Health clinic with private health insurance; private sector marketing for new patients; pharmacy service; minimum costs for services; federal funding grant; cost of living increase; new job positions; opioid addiction training; what comprises nuisance cases; why the forecast in the drop of fines, contributions and interests; sources of revenue; overtime expenditures; new vehicle costs; Falls Community Health Clinics; minimum cost for mental health services; and the Lewis Drug contract. B. Planning and Development Services by Mike Cooper, Director of Planning and Development Services Cooper thanked the teams involved in putting together their information. He spoke about: the reason for three different budgets; provided an overview of Planning and Development Services; the proposed 2019 Budget by Program, based on the recent consolidation; the 2019 Operating Budget by Category; Planning request for $2.0 million; Building Services request for $4.1 million; reached $5 million in building permits; summary of 2017 Code Enforcement Cases; focus on compliance; Neighborhood Outreach requests for $0.2 million; Economic and Downtown Partners requests for $5.3 million; and the proposed $0.1 million 2019 Capital Budget. Discussion followed regarding: the specifics of the additional funds request for Neighborhood Outreach; examples of zoning violations; benefits from combining the departments; who should take the lead regarding Economic Development; code enforcement inspections; CORE Facade Revitalization; concerns with length of time to get permits; the platting process and high fees; how far will the CORE Facade Revitalization reach; what the City provides for Neighborhood Outreach; the wait list and process for facade easements; is Energov operating at 100%; a TIF dashboard summary; and CORE Facade Revitalization funds. C. Affordable Housing by Mike Cooper, Director of Planning and Development Services; and Les Kinstad, Affordable Housing Manager Cooper explained that Affordable Housing is a part of the Planning Department.  He then introduced Les Kinstad. Kinstad spoke about the four core program areas of Affordable Housing, and their subprograms: Increase the supply of affordable housing (2 to 3 large multi-unit housing tax credit projects and 20 New Neighborhood Revitalization homes); Stabilize the supply of safe and affordable housing (80 Rehabilitation of single family homes and rental housing units and 35 Furnace replacements (high efficiency)); Down payment assistance (8 First time homebuyers); and Provide education and assistance for homeless families (80 Households in Bright Futures case management program and 60 Households rental assistance); the proposed Affordable Housing budget of $6.9 million, by program; and the 2019 Funding Sources. Discussion followed regarding: future plans for Neighborhood Revitalization; the furnace program; how to improve affordable housing; how many employees work for the Bright Futures program; the importance of money management and education classes; average investment in building affordable housing; partnering with Habitat for Humanity; single family rehab; furnace program; how are all of the programs coordinated; how do you obtain homes; and private sector donations. D. Transit by Mike Cooper, Director of Planning and Development Services; and Sam Trebilcock, Transportation Planner Cooper introduced Sam Trebilcock. Trebilcock introduced the administrative staff present from Sioux Area Metro. He explained the situation is still the same and there are things going against transit, such as: federal funds are questionable; there is little to no State funding available; agencies can't or won't contribute significantly; fare revenues are decreasing; costs continue to increase; paratransit savings are less than needed; City can't "go it alone"; and fixed routes are stagnant, ridership is on the decline around the country. Trebilcock also spoke about: the Transit Fund forecast options; 2019 Transit Fund sources; 2019 Transit use of funds; 2019 Capital Budget; Transit Ridership is down; Paratransit ridership down greatly, expenses down modestly; fixed-route ridership trends, ridership is down; fixed-route needs to adapt and improve; and how can we make transit sustainable. Discussion followed regarding: general fund cost for transit if nothing was done; ride sharing; find out why people are/aren't using the transit system anymore; with increase in population, transit service is needed more than ever; we need a fresh perspective on marketing; increase in some routes; cost for consultant; what is being purchased in 2021; rehabbing buses; how many riders transfer buses; buses are a lifeline; transit is a vital service; statistics wanted for the Freedom Pass program; fares and advertising; and bus stops. 5. Public Comment There was none. 6. Adjournment City Council Chair Christine M. Erickson adjourned the meeting at 5:43 p.m. Denise D. Tucker, MMC Assistant City Clerk