Informational Meeting

MINUTES Informational Meeting Tuesday, July 2, 2019 at 4:00 PM Carnegie Town Hall, 235 West 10th St., Sioux Falls, SD 57104 1. Call To Order Council Members Present: Janet Brekke, Rick Kiley, Greg Neitzert, Marshall Selberg, Curt Soehl, Pat Starr, Theresa Stehly Council Members Absent: Christine M. Erickson Council Chair Marshall Selberg called the meeting to order at 4 p.m. 2. Committee/Commission Reports A. CVB-BID Board: Tuesday, June 25, 2019 (Council Member Brekke) Council Member Janet Brekke noted the following: the April financial report noted a year-to-date increase of 5.6%; the BID Tax Revenue Report showed January and February up, but March down, each compared to last year; an RFP for the CVB website has been issued--proposals will be reviewed the first week of August; May attendance numbers at the Falls Park Visitors Center were down likely as a result of the weather; and, the CVB-BID Board is in the strategic planning process. 3. City Council Open Discussion Council Member Theresa Stehly spoke about attending the CVB luncheon last week where the importance of small business was discussed. She also attended the South Dakota Newspaper Associaition's presentation of the Eagle Award to Senator Arthur Rusch commending his committment to transparency; the ceremony also included a valuable panel discussion on steps toward open government. She also participated in the Ellis-Eastern Railroad neighborhood clean-up that included removing debris from the rail ditch. Brekke spoke about supporting local small businesses impacted by street construction projects. 4. Presentations A. Annual Ambulance Service Report by Alicia Collura, Assistant Director of Public Health Presentation: Approximately 20 minutes followed by discussion  Alicia Collura, Assistant Director of Public Health, opened the presentation by reviewing the Ambulance Contract Performance Report. The report covered: response time performance, clinical performance, system improvements, workforce stability, pricing compliance, and reporting compliance. The Council was provided with a copy of the report. Mike Bureau, Patient Care Logistics Solutions, provided additional details to the Council. He reviewed the company's mission and values and spoke about the recognition of an employee by the American Ambulance Associaition. He reviewed employee survey results, discussed "StartTodaySD" which is a program grant to offer EMT/Paramedic apprenticeships in the Sioux Falls area, and he noted the company was awarded the American Heart Associaition's "Gold Plus" achievement award in 2019. He showed a graphical depiction of 2018 and 2019 calls for service in which 2019 calls were generally up from 2018. Approved exemptions were also shown; this past February saw an increase due predominantly to the inclement weather. Both emergency and non-emergency compliance were above 90%. Discussion followed about: the Compass Military Services partnership with the School of EMS; calls for service trends; the reasons for approved exemptions; and, the types of calls received. B. State Theatre Completion Plan by T.J. Nelson, Deputy Chief of Staff; Shawn Pritchett, Director of Finance Presentation: Approximately 15 minutes followed by discussion T.J. Nelson, Deputy Chief of Staff, opened the presentation by providing background on efforts to re-open the State Theatre and events leading up to the announcement of a $3.5 M gift and $1.5M pledge. The administration will propose that the funds be allocated from the Entertainment Tax fund. Allison Weiland, Executive Director of the State Theatre, reviewed the history of the State Theatre and its significance to Sioux Falls and the Downtown area. The Theatre has been closed since 1990, but since then several steps have been taken to restore it to its original character. The announced gifts will cover a significant portion of the work remaining, but there are continued efforts to raise funds for outstanding needs not covered. Those include the balcony, basement, second and third floor auxillary spaces, and refurbishing its Wurlitzer organ. Shawn Pritchett, Director of Finance, explained how the funding would be used and the gifting agreement. The $3.5M donated by Denny Sanford will go toward: reopening the main floor to cinema; refurbishing art deco walls and ceilings; providing screen, projection, and sound equipment; seating; final touches to the lobby and concessions area; and a small office area for staff. The City's proposed $1.5M gift will go toward exterior structural work and health and safety requirements. Nelson concluded the presentation by explaining the return on investment the City may see from the reopening of the Theatre. Discussion followed about: the available fund balance for the Entertainment Tax; other possible uses for the fund; terms of the gift agreement; availability of the agreement; proposed reporting requirements for the State Theatre once funds are allocated and work begins; reporting of the Entertainment Tax; and interpreation on the uses of the Entertainment Tax fund.  C. 2020 Budget Guidance by Dave Bixler, Budget Analyst Presentation: Approximately 5 minutes followed by discussion Selberg explained the purpose of the agenda item. He stated that Dave Bixler, Budget Analyst, needed guidance about the City Council budget submission. The members would hear six proposed additions to the proposed budget and come to a consensus as to whether they should be in the proposed submission or not. Selberg made it clear that the members of the council were not formally adopting any portion of the budget, but rather providing guidance to Bixler. The final budget will be officially considered in September. The members of the council concluded the following: $3,710 will be included for four council members and one staff member to attend a National League of Cities event (City Summit or NLC Congress); $3,000 will be included to contract a facilitator to assist the council in visionary goal setting; and, $1,200 will be added for the City Council to host an event at a venue yet determined for citizen neighborhood engagement. 5. Public Comment Scott Ehrisman expressed frustration over the Council's earlier budget discussion noting that it appeared unnecessary. He also expressed his disagreement with Entertainment Tax funds being used to fund the gift to the State Theatre; the Capital Fund would be more appropriate. He disagreed with the motivation behind the gift and remarked that past gifts have not provided significant benefit to the community. 6. Adjournment Council Chair Marshall Selberg adjourned the meeting at 6:38 p.m. Thomas M. Greco, City Clerk