ESTACADA BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

ESTACADA CITY HALL, COUNCIL CHAMBERS

475 SE MAIN STREET, ESTACADA, OREGON

WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2008 – 7:00 P.M.

CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL

Chair Branson called the meeting to order at 7:10pm.

Present: Norm Ernst, Richard Hartwig, Kay Nelson, Becky Arnold, Brent Dodrill, Bob Austin, Ralph Branson, Emil Hnidey, Gary Lewis, Jane Troeh, Steve Scott, Dennis Weber, CM Randy Ealy, CR Denise Carey.

Absent: Michele Conditt, Brooke Wheeler.

APPROVAL OF MAY 21, 2008 MINUTES

Austin moved to approve the May 21, 2008 budget minutes. Nelson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

PUBLIC HEARING – STATE SHARED REVENUES

CR Carey reviewed the state shared revenues received in the general fund by the city.

Chair Branson opened the public hearing for state shared revenues and asked for public output.

Being no public input, Chair Branson closed the public hearing.

CITIZEN INPUT AND COMMENTS

BUDGET REVIEW

The committee decided to review the unfunded requirements list in the packet and propose additions to the budget.

GENERAL FUND:

Public safety – Nelson does not feel we can cut public safety 20 hours. Austin agrees. Hartwig stated that we should not drop any hours at this time even if it means not supporting the SRO at the school. Branson is concerned about the rising costs of public safety. Ernst feels the budget should remain as proposed and this discussion needs to be a priority of the Council. Dodrill agrees that cutting public safety is probably not the wisest way to go but does not like to see the contingency reduced so low. He would like to spend the $50,000 earmarked for the park property purchase on public safety instead. Weber asked if we do not have service for the city during the day, do we still have any coverage in the city. Chair Branson stated that the city is still covered by the east county car in times that there is no coverage in the city. The committee is in support to put back the hours cut in the sheriff’s contract and keep the SRO.

Meals on Wheels – Nelson would like to see $15,000 go towards meals-on-wheels. The senior center is struggling. Hartwig would like to see the extra $5,000 taken from council expense. Troeh volunteers at the community center and stated that the money from the city really helped last year. CM Ealy does not feel the city can afford any more than $10,000 at this time because this budget is very tight. The city already gives $12,000 in staff time and paying utilities and maintenance for the community center.

Code Compliance – CM stated that the council has set the policy to contract this out but it is expensive. The city has contracted this out for one year and staff feels they could possibly place this task under the public works director and do this with current staff. Arnold does think that staff could absorb this duty. Hartwig suggested the contract be cut in half. The committee agreed to not add this back in and let the council review the contract. Dodrill questions stated that the reason for the contract was that it was not getting done through public works and wonders what has changed that now staff feels it could be done in public works.

IT/Website – CM has two or three local people that stated $10,000 would be a good number to spend on work to improve the website.

Ernst moved to bring back public safety for $86,600. Arnold seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Nelson moved to fund the meals on wheels program $15,000. Hartwig seconded the motion. Austin would like to see the amount lowered maybe to $12,000. Arnold feels that $10,000 is all the city can afford. Lewis asked what will be the difference in service it the amount is $10,000 instead of $15,000. Troeh stated the center would be pleased with the $10,000 this year and feels that amount would be adequate. The motion failed with 2 yes and 12 no (Nelson, Hartwig)

Austin moved to fund the meals on wheels program $12,000. Nelson seconded the motion. The motion passed with 8 yes and 4 no (Arnold, Scott, Ernst, Dodrill).

Nelson moved to have council review other two issues during their budget talks. Arnold seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

STREET FUND:

CM stated the contingency is $0.00 in the street fund even with a $68,000 transfer from the general fund. Branson suggested that the city council propose a street improvement bond on a future election for needed street improvements. After discussion the committee discussed to leave these issues up to the council.

WATER FUND:

CM proposed to add the payment to the Clackamas River Water Providers IGA of $2,157. Hartwig moved to approve this addition. Arnold seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

WATER SIR FUND:

Tom Seal discussed some of the proposed water projects and which he would recommend to add. It was consensus of the committee to add two water line replacement projects totaling $140,000 using SDC funds.

Branson would like the City Council look at creating a consortium of insurance buyers to lower insurance costs. Austin stated that the city is already in such a pool.

Troeh would recommend that the city purchase the park property at this time. Arnold stated that this additional park property would also be leverage for other grants. Austin feels it is worthwhile to budget for this expenditure and hope to receive more grants and donations to cover the final $50,000 instead of it coming from city funds. Nelson feels it should really be looked at if other things are not being funded.

MOTION TO APPROVE PROPOSED BUDGET

Austin moved to approve the 2008/09 budget as amended in the amount of $6,024,299. Arnold seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Ernst-yes, Hartwig-yes, Nelson-yes, Arnold-yes, Dodrill-yes, Austin-yes. Branson-yes, Hnidey-yes, Lewis-yes, Troeh-yes, Scott-yes, Weber-yes. The motion passed with 12 yes and 0 no.

MOTION TO APPROVE TOTAL AD VALOREM PROPERTY TAXES

Austin moved to approve a rate of $2.6749 per $1,000 of total ad valorem property taxes to be certified for collection. Hartwig seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Ernst-yes, Hartwig-yes, Nelson-yes, Arnold-yes, Dodrill-yes, Austin-yes. Branson-yes, Hnidey-yes, Lewis-yes, Troeh-yes, Scott-yes, Weber-yes. The motion passed with 12 yes and 0 no.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 8:40pm.