Informational Meeting

MINUTES Tuesday, October 15, 2013 Informational Meeting 4:00 PM at Carnegie Town Hall Sioux Falls City Council 235 West Tenth Street Members Present: Sue Aguilar, Kenny Anderson Jr., James Entenman, Michelle Erpenbach, Greg Jamison, Dean Karsky, Rex Rolfing, Kermit L. Staggers Members Absent: Mike T. Huether Staff Present: Denise D. Tucker, CMC, Assistant City Clerk; David Bixler, Budget Analyst; and Jim David, Legislative/Operations Manager 1. Call To Order Council Chair Jim Entenman called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. 2. Public Services Committee A. Report on the meeting held Tuesday, October 8, 2013 Council Member Kenny Anderson Jr. said at the last Public Services Committee meeting, they reviewed and approved the creation of a Paratransit Task Force; and reviewed the Taxi Cab ordinance. At the next PSC meeting, they will receive additional testimony regarding taxi cabs. Anderson Jr. proposed having a City Council Working Session to discuss proposed changes to the Taxi Cab ordinance. Discussion followed. 3. City Council Open Discussion Council Member Greg Jamison gave a brief update on last week's South Dakota Municipal League conference. Jamison said he has an amendment that he will be proposing tonight for the TIF ordinance, regarding the application process. He said it's what is being used in Rapid City. Jamison said essentially what they are after is full disclosure and transparency of all the individuals who are applying for a TIF. Anderson Jr. said he will be bringing forth an amendment to the TIF ordinance, regarding having a TIF pay for a façade easement. The amendment will state, "The City shall not utilize tax increment finance revenue for the purpose of securing a façade easement." Entenman said Jim David, Legislative/Operations Manager, provided copies of  some possible Legislative Priorities. Entenman referenced a new item, which states: "Any business or person who transports persons for a fee and wishes alcohol to be present on the vehicle for use by the customers is required to purchase a $100 Carrier License from the Department of Revenue". This item is supported by the SDML. He asked David to get a copy of the Legislative Priorities from the County, School and Chamber. Action on the Legislative Priorities will be held in November. Discussion followed. 4. Presentations A. September Monthly Financial Report by Tracy Turbak, Director of Finance Turbak said the news was good, regarding the City's finances. He said unemployment in the area continues to be very low; in August it was 3 percent. Building Permit valuations continue to be strong. Turbak said through September, we have exceeded the valuations of permits for all of last year. Sales Tax revenues end September with a rolling growth rate of 6.9 percent. The Entertainment Tax peaked in terms of growth rate in 2012. He said it is now at a stable rate of around 5 percent. Turbak said the City is on track with revenues and expenses, for the budget. He is pleased with where the budget stands, with three more months to go in this Fiscal Year. Discussion followed. Council Member Kermit Staggers asked if anything has been done with the FEMA money, the City has received. Turbak asked if he was referring to the reimbursement funds from the Corps of Engineers. He said he anticipates them being back in front of the City Council next month with some options for the reimbursed money. Staggers asked again about the FEMA money. Turbak said it goes back into the fund where the expenditure originated, which he believes is the General Fund. He added that there were some other funds that were also eligible for FEMA reimbursement. Staggers asked if there was any thought to include Council Members in the discussion of the Corps of Engineers reimbursement fund. Turbak said ideas were welcome. Discussion followed. Anderson Jr. asked about arterial street funding, from 2003 to 2008. Turbak said the information is still being compiled. Jamison asked about federal funds that the City receives. Turbak provided an overview of Operation Timber Strike! He said they estimate the final cost will come in around $8.3 million. Turbak said through September the City has been reimbursed just under $6 million, from the State and FEMA. He reiterated that the majority of the money used for the cleanup came from the General Fund. Turbak said the impact to the General Fund reserves is approximately $1.1 million. Discussion followed. B. City Council's Budget Update by David Bixler, Budget Analyst  Bixler reviewed the budget for the Internal Audit Department, the City Clerk's Office and the City Council. C. Recommended Ordinance Changes to the Parking Ticket Appeals Process by Matt Nelson, Public Parking Facilities Manager; and Darrin Smith, Director of Community Development/Public Parking Nelson said the ordinance will consolidate the parking ticket appeals process into the City-wide appeals process for all citations that are issued. The first reading of the ordinance is tonight, with the second reading on November 5th. The ordinance went through the Public Services Committee. Nelson said there will be a $25 appeal fee. Discussion followed. 5. Adjournment Council Chair Jim Entenman adjourned the meeting at 4:43 p.m. Denise D. Tucker, CMC Assistant City Clerk