Council Working Session

MINUTES Council Working Session Wednesday, February 27, 2019 at 1:00 PM Carnegie Town Hall, 235 West 10th St., Sioux Falls, SD 57104 1. Call To Order Present: Council Member Janet Brekke, Council Chair Christine M. Erickson, Council Member Greg Neitzert, Council Vice-Chair Marshall Selberg, Council Member Pat Starr, Council Member Theresa Stehly Absent: Council Member Rick Kiley, Council Member Curt Soehl Council Chair Christine M. Erickson called the meeting to order at 1 p.m. 2. Presentation A. Overview of Budget Timeline David Bixler, Budget Analyst, provided an overview of the budget process to include important dates and actions associated with adoption of the budget. 3. Council Discussion of Budget Priorities Council Member Janet Brekke asked Finance Director Shawn Pritchett to explain the timeline needed for the Council to provide priorities. Pritchett explained that development of the budget is ongoing and described the process going forward. Council Member Pat Starr asked Pritchett how revenue projections are made. Pritchett provided an overview of the tools used to make projections and how baselines for the budget are established. Council Member Theresa Stehly recommended that any priorities identified by Council Members at the working session be consolidated by the Budget Analyst. Stehly then shared her priorities based on feedback from citizens which include: improved public transit, the intersection of 26th St. and Ellis Rd., light sensors on stoplights, mowing parks and public detention pond areas, Terrace Park upgrades, a park in the northwest portion of the city, more covered bus stops, scoop-it program, renovating and preserving Frank Olson pool, the Kuehn Park pool, lower fees for child-friendly activities, smaller buses, the temperature at the aquatic center, money for Project TRIM, more funding toward establishing Neighborhood Associations, a swimming pool south of 57th St., the skate park at Drake Springs, no cuts to non-profits, and homeless issues. Council Member Janet Brekke identified her priorities as: the Glory House, the State Theater, the Arrownhead Park donated home, the Multi-Cultural Center,  deregulating the permitting process, the Triage Center, and long-range strategic planning. Members of the Council discussed how the information at the working session would be compiled and next steps. It was noted that formal votes may not be taken at working sessions. Brekke recommended use of a faciltator to help prioritize proposed items. Council Vice Chair Marshall Selberg spoke about several approaches to the budget and suggested that focusing on how services are provided may be a suitable means of identifying priorities. Erickson spoke about the value of the process and noted the priorities she has been working on which include some items already noted. She further noted that the results of the National Citizens' Survey can be used to inform future budget decisions. Selberg asked if the administration would "set aside" funds again this year for Council priorities as was done last year. T.J. Nelson, Deputy Chief of Staff, mentioned this could be a possibility. Stehly suggested a fixed amount of funds be set aside for each Council Member for discretionary use throughout the fiscal year; she cited the example of Chicago. Starr spoke about workforce development, housing, and stabilizing the middle class. He noted the importance of the Council's policy-making role and recommended budget decisions be made within the context of the proper role of government. Council Member Greg Neitzert spoke about workforce development, housing, and walkability. He also noted additional priorities, but stated they are contigent upon the outcome of ongoing studies or working groups. Neitzert was asked about walkability, which he explained. 4. Next Steps & Action Items Bixler recommended that he develop a consolidated list of the priorities which includes identification of the budgets that can potentially be impacted. He would share the list with the council. 5. Public Comment There was none. 6. Adjournment Council Chair Christine Erickson adjorned the meeting at 2:15 p.m. Thomas M. Greco, City Clerk