Budget Hearings

MINUTES Budget Hearings Tuesday, August 11, 2020 at 3:00 PM Carnegie Town Hall, 235 West 10th St., Sioux Falls, SD 57104 1. Call to Order Council Members Present: Janet Brekke (Via telecom), Christine M. Erickson, Rick Kiley (out at 4:15 p.m.), Greg Neitzert, Marshall Selberg, Curt Soehl, Pat Starr (arr. 3:09 p.m.) Council Members Absent: Alex Jensen Council Chair Greg Neitzert called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m 2. Budget Hearings A. Police by Matt Burns, Chief of Police Burns reviewed departmental priorities and illustrated how they plan to leverage funds to enhance public safety and support civic strength in Sioux Falls. Burns reviewed the services and how they are partnering with community services to enhance the mission and principles in promoting and providing a safe city. Major operating budget impacts were reviewed regarding personnel, overtime, part-time, professional services, rentals, repair and maintenance, and supplies/materials. The following slides were reviewed: Our Story; SFPD Calls for Service; Calls for Service Compared to Population; Budget Breakdown; and Capital Overview. Discussion followed regarding: who is funding the radio system and is the state contributing to funding the radio system; body cameras and victim rights; current state laws that hinder or restrict the use of body cameras that may need to be adjusted; the length of time for storing videos used with body cameras; defined retention periods; replacement patrol vehicles in the fleet; working with counties and private attorneys regarding videos; the increase in training and education funds; grant money to supplement training budget; the reduction in training and special events this year due to COVID; the discovery process and who has access to information; and funding provided to non-profit organizations. B. Fire by Brad Goodroad, Fire Chief Goodroad reviewed the number of fire stations and staff required to support the city. He reviewed the variety of tasks and community service provided by the Fire Department. He reviewed the save rate and amounts for fire rescue operations in regards to cardiac scenarios and damage to homes and businesses. Major operating budget impacts were reviewed regarding personnel, rentals, repair and  maintenance, supplies/materials, and utilities. The following slides were reviewed: Our Story; Budget Breakdown; and Capital Overview. Discussion followed regarding: recent staff reassignments; the types and uses of fire vehicles; training and educational needs; response times and locations of fire stations; what determines the need for future fire stations and land acquisitions; the calculations used to determine fire loss and value saved; incident response data; digital signage proposal; recent drownings; providing mutual aid and assisting with education. C. Overview of the Public Safety Bond by Shawn Pritchett, Director of Finance Pritchett reviewed the timeline on the bond proposal and the need for the public safety training and PSAP facility. Pritchett explained how this bond varies from previous bonds in that this one establishes consistent debt reserve at maximum annual debt service; and increases coverage test to match the Council policy of 2x revenue (previous bond test was at 1.5x). Pritchett reviewed the following slides regarding the Public Safety Bond: Public Safety Training and PSAP Facilities – Why now?; Bond Ordinance; Sales Tax Capacity; Bond Ordinance – New Bonds; Bond Ordinance – Refinance Bonds; Refinance vs. Repayment; Sales Tax Bond Payments to Revenue; and Use of Debt. Discussion followed regarding: the current interest rates; the status of the financial contributions from Minnehaha County and the timeline for funding availability; the savings through refinancing; and how bonds are structured for paying off or refinancing. D. Planning by Jeff Eckhoff, Director of Planning and Development Services Eckhoff began by providing an update on the status of filling various open positions. Eckhoff reviewed the breakdown of services and service outcomes for the following departments: Planning, Housing, Transit, Building Services and Other. Major operating budget impacts were reviewed regarding revenue (charges), professional services, rentals, repair and maintenance, supplies/materials, training and education, utilities, and capital. Eckhoff reviewed the following slides: Our People; Our Total Budget; Our Services; Service Outcomes; Our Budget; Budget Breakdown; and Capital Overview. Discussion followed regarding: the status of EnerGov changes and moving to an electronic format; virtual inspections; what do we gain from our donation to the USD Discovery District; and neighborhood grant programs. E. Housing by Chellee Unruh, Housing Manager Unruh reviewed support to the One Sioux Falls Fund for COVID and the fund distribution from the ESG Grant Funding and the Federal CARES Act Funding to Sioux Falls. Unruh reviewed the goal to create or rehabilitate 1,000 low income housing units by 2022 with 238 units completed so far. Major operating budget impacts were reviewed regarding revenues and professional services/programming. The following slides were reviewed: COVID Response; Connecting People with Resources; BHAG Update; and Budget Breakdown.  Discussion followed regarding: renting based on conventional financing; the status of property owned by Affordable Housing Solution and the financial arrangements. Eckhoff reviewed the updated schedule and status for Project NICE and KEEP for this year. F. Transit by Sam Trebilcock, Senior Planner Trebilcock reviewed the impact that COVID has had on Transit and the past and current rider statistics. He reviewed the measures being used to improve safety when riding the bus including the cleaning measures being taken and the barriers that might be used in the busses. Trebilcock stated staff is reviewing ways to increase and encourage the wearing of masks on the busses. Major operating budget impacts were reviewed regarding revenues, operating support, program support, rentals, insurance, repair and maintenance, and capital. The following slides were reviewed: Our Story; COVID-19 Impacts; FTA Funding Plan; Budget Breakdown; 2021 Capital Program; 2021-2025 Capital Program Overview; Transit Fund Sustainability Challenges; Transit Fund Forecast; and Transit Core Team. Discussion followed regarding: COVID’s impact on the number of bus drivers needed; the impact on the number of routes needed; the status of the pilot program for revamping the transit needs in the city; the possibility of hiring an outside consultant to review and provide feedback for improving the existing transit program. 3. Public Comment There was none. 4. Adjournment Council Chair Greg Neitzert adjourned the meeting at 5:17 p.m Tamara Jorgensen, MMC, Assistant City Clerk