Minutes for: May 16, 2009

The May 16, 2009, Council Work Session was convened at 8:35 A.M. by Mayor John Landwehr.

The following Council Members were present:

          Present:        Carroll, Harvey, Klindt, Koon, Medin, Penfold, Pope, and Struemph

          Absent:          Ferguson and Scrivner

A quorum was present.

Mayor Landwehr turned over to City Administrator Steve Rasmussen who gave a brief overview of the agenda for the meeting.

Steve Rasmussen gave priorities of Administration:

          Creation of new Citizen Ombudsman position

Gail Strope presented on Human Resources priorities:

          10% for health insurance increases, $5,000 for Healthy Living Wellness Program.

Bill Betts gave ITS priorities:

          $50,000 for computer hardware and Request for a new I.T. Specialist.

Steve Schlueter presented on the economic conditions of the City:

          Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR)

          Revenue

          Expenses

          Fund Balance

Questions were asked at this point by Council Members of those who had already presented.

Chief Roger Schroeder presented ongoing police concerns:

          Status of drug dog

          Community policing

          Presence in newly annexed areas

          Violence in schools

The meeting recessed at 9:30 A.M. for brunch, and reconvened at 9:50 A.M.

Lonnie Brandt presented on Fire Department priorities:

Near term – Relocation of Fire Station 3

Long term – New construction of Fire Station 6 in newly annexed areas

New construction of Fire Station 7 in Algoa area

New position of Fire Inspector/Marshal

Funding of Firefighters’ Pension

Bill Lockwood presented on Parks & Recreation priorities:

Stewardship plan

Maintenance & Recreation improvements

Equipment replacement

Vehicle replacement

Capital improvement

Department Director Pat Sullivan, and several Division Directors, presented on Community Development Department priorities:

Street Division

Infrastructure funding; storm water – streets – bridges

Parking Division

Repairs to main garage from parking fund

Engineering Division

Cooperative projects with Cole County – Lafayette/E. McCarty – Frog Hollow Bridge

Wastewater

Disinfection Mandate – rate increase

Long term funding for improvements

Code Enforcement

Environmental Health – cemetery repairs & deferred maintenance

Central Maintenance – Transit/Central Maintenance facility

Building Regulations

Animal Control Division – New animal shelter

Planning & Transportation

Planning – formalize & coordinate land use planning with Cole County

Initiate efficiencies of combined neighborhood/historic preservation planning

Airport Division

Master Plan priorities – Air traffic control tower; parallel taxiway; acquire additional land for hangars & private development

                     Transit Division – sell West McCarty Property

MPO – STP fund allocation

Following all presentations, Mayor Landwehr encouraged the Council to let staff know their thoughts about issues that were presented this morning at the time they begin considering the 2009-2020 budget.

The meeting adjourned at 11:55 a.m.