This transcript features the Bloomington City Council meeting from November 21, 2022. Based on the municipality's official roles and the context of the dialogue, here is the formatted transcript with speaker identifications. *** **[00:00] Mayor Tim Busse:** IN THE AREA AND WELCOME. I'D LIKE TO CALL THIS SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BLOOMINGTON CITY COUNCIL TO ORDER. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21ST, 2022. THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING US HERE. PLENTY OF STAFF HERE TO PRESENT AND I KNOW WE'VE GOT PLENTY OF FOLKS ONLINE TUNING IN. WE HAVE A TOTAL FOUR ITEMS OFFICIALLY ON THE AGENDA UNDER AN ORGANIZATIONAL BUSINESS. WE HAVE OUR 2023 BUDGET DISCUSSION UNDER COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT THEIR BUDGET AND REVENUE AND FUND AND FEE DISCUSSION ITEM 2.2 IS OUR 2023 BUDGET DISCUSSION COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT BUDGET. PARKS AND REC DEPARTMENT BUDGET. FINANCE DEPARTMENT BUDGET. ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT BUDGET. AND THEN FINALLY ON 2.3 AN OVERALL DISCUSSION ON OUR 2023 BUDGET AND TAX LEVY. AND ITEM 2.4 AS WE TYPICALLY DO WILL BE OUR CITY MANAGER AND COUNCIL UPDATES. SO THAT IS OUR AGENDA FOR THIS EVENING. I THINK OFFICIALLY WE NEED TO ADOPT THE AGENDA DOING NEVER A BAD IDEA. LET'S ADOPT AGENDA. I WILL MOVE APPROVAL THE AGENDA UNLESS THERE'S ANYTHING TO ADD COUNCIL SO IN MOTION IN THE SECOND TO ADOPT TONIGHT'S AGENDA. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING I. **[00:01] City Council (Unison):** I. I. I. **[00:01] Mayor Tim Busse:** MOTION CARRIES SEVEN ZERO. I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT COUNCILMEMBER D'ALESSANDRO IS PARTICIPATING ELECTRONICALLY IN THE LOBBY OF THE HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS AT 16 165 TOWNE RUN LANE IN STEVEN CITY, VIRGINIA. AND THIS LOCATION IS OPEN AND ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC. THANKS FOR MAKING THE EFFORT, COUNCILMEMBER. **[00:02] Councilmember Lona Dallessandro:** GLAD YOU COULD BE PART OF OUR DISCUSSION TONIGHT. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. **[00:02] Mayor Tim Busse:** AND OF 2.1 ON OUR AGENDA KICKS OFF OUR BUDGET DISCUSSION. THIS IS OUR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BUDGET AND REVENUE FEE DISCUSSION. MS. KARI CARLSON WILL BE LEADING US THROUGH THE BULK OF OUR DISCUSSION THIS EVENING. **[00:02] Kari Carlson (CFO):** GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME. GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. THANK YOU. SO THERE ARE SEVEN DIFFERENT PRESENTATIONS THIS EVENING AND THE FIRST ONE WE'RE GOING TO START OFF WITH IS A REVENUES AND FEES DISCUSSION. SO I WILL GO THROUGH THAT AND THAT'S OVERALL REVENUES AND FEES AND THEN AFTER THAT WE'LL GET INTO THAT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PRESENTATION WITH OUR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR KARLA HENDERSON HERE AND THEN WE'LL JUST CONTINUE ON TO THE OTHER DEPARTMENT AND BUDGET PRESENTATIONS THAT WE WERE NOT ABLE TO FINISH EARLIER SINCE SOME OF THE COUNCIL MEETINGS WENT LONGER. AND THEN AT THE END THE LAST PRESENTATION WILL BE AN OVERALL JUST PRESENTATION DISCUSSION ABOUT THE FINAL 2023 BUDGET AND TAX LEVY SO WE CAN PULL UP THE REVENUE AND FEES DISCUSSION I'LL GET GO THROUGH THIS AND I'M GOING TO BE GOING THROUGH JUST CURRENT REVENUES IN THE GENERAL FUND THAT ARE IN THE PRELIMINARY GENERAL FUND BUDGET AND TALK ABOUT LODGING AND ADMISSION TAXES WELL AS PERMIT REVENUE THE FEE SCHEDULE, PARKS AND RECREATION FEES AND THEN SOME FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS FOR POTENTIAL NEW REVENUES. **[00:03] Kari Carlson (CFO):** [Presents slides on property taxes, lodging taxes, and building permits]. WE ALSO HAVE SOME GOOD NEWS TO REPORT. WE ARE INCREASING OUR REVENUE FROM PERMIT REVENUE AND THEN 2023 FORECAST BY $836,000. AND YOU CAN SEE ON THIS SLIDE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES THAT MAKE THAT UP... THIS IS JUST A QUICK REMINDER NEXT WEEK THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE FEE SCHEDULE NOVEMBER 28 THAT'S BEEN ADVERTISED SO CURRENTLY THE PROPOSED FEE SCHEDULE FOR 2023 IS ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE AND ON THERE OUR PARKS AND RECREATION FEES. **[00:05] Kari Carlson (CFO):** [Continues review of Ice Garden, Center for the Arts, Creekside, and Dwan Golf Course comparables]. SO BEFORE I GO ON TO JUST A FEW SLIDES ABOUT FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS POTENTIAL NEW REVENUES, ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS FOR ANY OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION FEES? **[00:06] Mayor Tim Busse:** COUNCIL ANY QUESTIONS ON WHAT WE'VE GONE THROUGH THUS FAR? COUNCILMEMBER CARTER. **[00:06] Councilmember Jenna Carter:** THANK YOU. MAYOR. I JUST HAVE A CLARIFYING QUESTION ON THE POOL RATE INCREASE. SO YOU SAID THAT THE RATE WOULD HELP ENCOURAGE EARLIER PURCHASING. SO I'M CURIOUS IF THE INCREASE IS GOING TO BE THE INITIAL PRICE AND THEN THERE WILL ALSO BE ANOTHER INCREASE OR IS IT GOING TO BE THE PREVIOUS PRICE AND THEN THERE WILL BE AN INCREASE LATER ON? **[00:07] Ann Kattreh (Parks and Recreation Director):** MAYOR COUNCILMEMBERS FOR THE AQUATIC CENTER IN YOUR FEE SCHEDULE WE ARE INCREASING THE STANDARD RATE SO WHEN YOU BUY IT WHEN THE POOL OPENS BY $4 AND $8. BUT THE CHANGE IN ENCOURAGING THE EARLY PURCHASING IS RIGHT NOW OR THIS PAST YEAR WE GAVE THEM $2 OFF IF THEY PURCHASED BEFORE APRIL $1 OFF IF THEY PURCHASED BEFORE THE BEGINNING OF THE SEASON. THIS WILL INSTEAD BE I WANT TO SAY $8 OFF IF THEY PURCHASE BY APRIL AND $4 OFF IF THEY PURCHASE BY JUNE. YOU NOW CAN PURCHASE THEM ONLINE. SO IT REALLY GIVES US A CHANCE TO DECREASE THE WEIGHT WHEN WE OPEN THE POOL AND ENCOURAGING THEM TO PURCHASE THEM IN ADVANCE. **[00:07] Councilmember Jenna Carter:** GREAT. AND THEN WILL WE STILL HAVE THE HALF PRICE PASSES HALFWAY? HAVE THEY GOT IT. OKAY. I THINK THAT WAS MY ONLY CLARIFYING QUESTION. THANK YOU. **[00:08] Mayor Tim Busse:** THANK YOU. ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS? COUNCILMEMBER D'ALESSANDRO BUT I MEAN I'LL RAISE A FLAG IF YOU NEED TO SEND UP. **[00:08] Councilmember Lona Dallessandro:** WILL YOU SEND UP A FLARE? THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. **[00:08] Mayor Tim Busse:** WILL DO. ONWARD. **[00:08] Kari Carlson (CFO):** [Discusses potential new revenues like corporate sponsorships, cell towers, and grants]. **[00:09] Mayor Tim Busse:** WHICH I APPRECIATE AND OBVIOUSLY AGREE WITH IT. WE DON'T WANT CREATE THAT STRUCTURAL IMBALANCE WONDERING IF THERE ARE GRANT OPPORTUNITIES AS THEY RELATE TO MORE CAPITAL PROJECTS ONE TIME EXPENDITURES TO FIX UP A, B OR C AS OPPOSED TO PUTTING A PROGRAM PLACE THAT EVENTUALLY THE FUNDING RUNS OUT FOR. **[00:09] Kari Carlson (CFO):** YES MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBERS THAT IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING THAT WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR FOR GRANT REVENUES TO FUND ONE TIME PROJECTS LIKE CAPITAL PROJECTS AND THEN MAKING SURE YOU HAVE THE STAFF TO CARRY THAT OUT AS WELL. **[00:10] Councilmember Dwayne Lowman:** MAYOR I AGREE WITH YOU ON THAT THE THE CAPITAL EXPENSES MAKE A LOT OF SENSE. THE OTHER QUESTION I HAD AS I LOOKED AT THE THE CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP PIECE IS SOMETIMES YOU KNOW, EITHER THOSE THOSE CORPORATIONS UNFORTUNATELY GO OUT OF BUSINESS OR THEY PARTICIPATE IN SOME THINGS THAT MAY NOT ALIGN OUR VALUES THAT WE HAVE. AND SO I'M JUST CURIOUS HAS STAFF THOUGHT ABOUT THAT IN TERMS HOW DO YOU UNWIND THAT OR GET OUT OF THAT IF NOT DOING A CAPITAL EXPENSING AND YOU'RE DOING AN ONGOING KIND OF BASIS AND YOU WANT TO KIND OF BACK OUT OF A SITUATION WHERE WE'VE GOT CORPORATE SPONSOR AND THEN YOU KNOW, THEY'RE NOT ALIGNED WITH SOME OF OUR MAYBE SAY OUR EQUITY STANCE. **[00:10] Kari Carlson (CFO):** MAYOR CITY COUNCILMEMBER LOWMAN I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE ELSE WANTS TO SPEAK TO THIS BUT I DON'T KNOW THAT WE'VE WE HAVE DUG VERY DEEPLY INTO THIS. I THINK WE'RE JUST LOOKING INTO THIS SUBJECT AND THESE ARE SOME OF THE FIRST THINGS THAT CAME UP BUT THAT WOULD BE ANOTHER THING TO CONSIDER AS WELL IF THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT WE WANTED TO LOOK AT. **[00:11] Councilmember Dwayne Lowman:** YEAH, I I'M CERTAINLY THINK ANY TIME WE CAN DEFER TAX DOLLARS IS GREAT BUT JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A SOME KIND OF WAY TO GET OURSELVES OVER. **[00:11] Mayor Tim Busse:** I'M CONFIDENT. I MEAN THERE'S THERE'S STRUCTURES IN PLACE. I'M SURE THE LEAGUE OF CITIES HAS SOMETHING ON CORPORATE SPONSORSHIPS... BUT I ALSO WANT TO POINT OUT, COUNCILMEMBER WE DON'T HAVE ANY OF THESE YET. **[00:12] Councilmember Dwayne Lowman:** NO I KNOW THAT I I'M JUST SAYING I'D LIKE TO JUST, YOU KNOW, BE PROACTIVE RATHER THAN WAIT UNTIL WE GET INTO A SITUATION. **[00:12] Councilmember Shawn Nelson:** THANK YOU MAYOR. I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY IS THE CORPORATE AND THE TAX EXEMPT AND BONDS LIMITATION LIMITED TO NAMING RIGHTS OR DOES IT APPLY TO OTHER ADVERTISING SOURCES? AND I ALSO BELIEVE WE ALREADY DO HAVE THIS WITH TORO OVER AT VALLEY VIEW... CAN WE PUT ADS UP ALONG THE BOARDS AT A HOCKEY RINK? **[00:13] Melissa Manderschied (City Attorney):** MAYOR MEMBERS THE THE THE REASON THAT THE LANGUAGE IS IN THERE IS THAT UNDER THE LAW THERE ARE LIMITS ON HOW MUCH INCOME YOU CAN TAKE IN WHEN YOU'RE USING TAX EXEMPT BONDS AND I BELIEVE IT'S 10%. **[00:13] Councilmember Shawn Nelson:** JUST A QUICK FOLLOW UP. 10% OF WHAT? BOND PRINCIPAL? INTEREST? **[00:13] Melissa Manderschied (City Attorney):** SO THAT WOULD BE A DECLINE MEAN AMOUNT. **[00:14] Mayor Tim Busse:** WELL DONE LEGISLATURE. COUNCIL ANY COUNCILMEMBER CARTER. **[00:14] Councilmember Jenna Carter:** THANK YOU MAYOR. I GUESS JUST A NOTE ON THE SPONSORSHIP PIECE BECAUSE I WAS MENTIONED PUTTING BANNERS ON LIKE THE BASEBALL FENCES OR WHATEVER. I DO KNOW SOME OF THE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS DO THAT AS A FUNDRAISING EFFORT AND SO I GUESS I WOULD JUST SAY IF WE ARE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS... I WOULD JUST BE COGNIZANT AND CONSIDER THE IMPACT ON OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TOO. **[00:15] Councilmember Jenna Carter:** AND A QUESTION I GUESS FOR THE CELL TOWERS ON CITY LAND, DOES THAT HAVE TO BE IN A SPECIFIC ZONING DISTRICT? **[00:15] Kari Carlson (CFO):** YES, IT DOES. **[00:15] Mayor Tim Busse:** VERY GOOD. THANK YOU. MOVING ON. **[00:16] Karla Henderson (Community Development Director):** GOOD EVENING, MR. MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS. [Presents Community Development budget, Assessing, Building Inspections, Environmental Health, and Planning divisions]. THAT IS THE END OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PRESENTATION FOR THE GENERAL FUND. **[00:17] Mayor Tim Busse:** THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION. QUICK QUESTION UNDER ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH THE RICHFIELD CONTRACT I'M ASSUMING SIMPLY IS A CONTRACT THAT PAYS FOR THE SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDE TO RICHFIELD... THAT IS CORRECT? **[00:17] Karla Henderson (Director):** MR. MAYOR COUNCILMEMBERS THAT IS CORRECT. **[00:18] Councilmember Dwayne Lowman:** I JUST WANTED TO GIVE ACCOLADES FOR THE ASSESSING DEPARTMENT... IF WE COMPARE THAT TO OTHER CITIES, HOW IS THAT COMPARABLE? **[00:19] Karla Henderson (Director):** THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION, MR. MAYOR. COUNCILMEMBERS COUNCILMEMBER LOWMAN I'LL GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE OF OUR ASSESSING TEAM AND OUR COMMERCIAL APPRAISERS. WE HAVE FOUR. AND THAT'S UNCOMMON FOR MOST CITIES BUT WE HAVE SUCH A ROBUST COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY THAT IT DEFINITELY PAYS FOR ITSELF. **[00:20] Mayor Tim Busse:** I THINK THE SHORT ANSWER COUNCIL MEMBERS IS EVERY CITY IS DIFFERENT... EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE IS DIFFERENT AND I THINK OUR STAFFING REFLECTS THE GOALS AND THE PRIORITIES AND VALUES THAT WE HAVE AS A CITY. **[00:21] Councilmember Shawn Nelson:** THANK YOU, MAYOR. JUST A QUICK FOLLOW UP TO THAT... ONE OF THE CONCERNS I HAVE IS ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH I RECEIVED A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT ORDINANCE VIOLATIONS... AT WHAT POINT DO WE GET HEAVY HANDED? AT WHAT POINT DO WE DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT? AND THE OTHER CONCERN I HAVE ON THIS ONE IS YOU KNOW, I NOTED THAT THE DRURY WAS ONE OF THE PROJECTS THAT WAS LISTED... HOW REALISTIC IS THAT PIPELINE GIVEN THE ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY? **[00:22] Karla Henderson (Director):** MR. MAYOR COUNCILMEMBER NELSON THAT'S AN EXCELLENT QUESTION. I KNOW WHEN WE ARE LOOKING AT PERMIT REVENUE WE ARE EXTREMELY CONSERVATIVE... WE PUT EVERYTHING ON THAT LIST KNOWING THAT SOME WILL PROBABLY BE DELAYED. **[00:23] Councilmember Shawn Nelson:** I APPRECIATE THAT. AND MY ONLY FOLLOW UP ON THAT... I'M JUST WONDERING CANDIDLY IF WE'RE BEING TOO CONSERVATIVE IN SOME OF THOSE REVENUES AND PUTTING A LEVY INCREASE IN FRONT OF PEOPLE THAT IS GOING TO HURT THEM THAT WE DON'T NEED TO DO. **[00:24] Mayor Tim Busse:** I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS COUNCILMEMBER AND LIKELY FOR ITEM 2.3 TO BE HONEST AS WE CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION AS WE LOOK AT THE OVERALL LEVY AND BUDGET WE CAN CONTINUE THAT CONVERSATION. **[00:25] Ann Kattreh (Parks and Recreation Director):** [Introduces the Parks and Recreation Department Budget and team members Allison Warren, Peter Kover, Leah Hughes, Jill Murphy, and Lenny Schmitz]. **[00:26] Allison Warren (Recreation Manager):** [Presents core programs and staffing challenges for youth programs and the aquatic center]. **[00:27] Jill Murphy (Creekside Manager):** [Presents Creekside Community Center budget and staffing needs]. **[00:28] Peter Kover (Golf Manager):** [Presents Dwan Golf Course rounds, revenues, and staffing challenges]. **[00:29] Kari Carlson (CFO):** [Review of the Long Term Budget model for Golf]. **[00:30] Councilmember Shawn Nelson:** THANK YOU, MAYOR AND THIS SLIDE BRINGS UP MY CONCERN... WE HAVE PROPERTY TAX REVENUE THAT IS GOING INTO THIS TO MAKE IT LOOK PROFITABLE AND THEN WHEN THAT GOES AWAY WE'RE SHOWING A LOSS... I CONTINUE TO BE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS FUND. **[00:31] Peter Kover (Golf Manager):** GOLF IS STRONG. I DO BELIEVE THAT AGAIN THE CRYSTAL BALL THAT NONE OF US CAN LOOK INTO ACCURATELY... BUT MUNICIPAL GOLF IS SOMETHING THAT'S REALLY UNDER PRESSURE... I DON'T THINK THERE'S A COMMUNITY IN AMERICA THAT'S LESSER FOR HAVING A GOLF COURSE. **[00:32] Ann Kattreh (Parks and Rec Director):** I WOULD ADD AS WELL THAT FROM AN OPERATIONAL PERSPECTIVE I DON'T THINK THAT THERE ARE MANY IF ANY GOLF COURSES IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA THAT HAVE MORE ROUNDS THAN DWAN DOES. **[00:33] Councilmember Lona Dallessandro:** THANK YOU MAYOR I WAS CURIOUS... DO WE EXPECT DWAN TO BE SELF-SUSTAINING WHEN WE DON'T FOR EXAMPLE EXPECT CREEKSIDE TO OR THE AQUATIC CENTER? I DIDN'T THINK IT'S A BIG DEAL TO HAVE, YOU KNOW, SOME PROPERTY TAX DOLLARS TOWARDS A PUBLIC AMENITY. **[00:34] Mayor Tim Busse:** THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER AND YES, THAT'S BEEN AN ONGOING DISCUSSION... DO WE CONSIDER A GOLF COURSE ANOTHER ONE OF OUR PARKS? AND LIKE THE OTHER PARKS IT DOES REQUIRE FINANCIAL SUPPORT. **[00:35] Councilmember Dwayne Lowman:** MY UNDERSTANDING WAS THAT THE THE THE GOLF PIECE WAS CONSIDERED TO BE AN ENTERPRISE FUND. AND SO MY UNDERSTANDING... IS THAT YOU KNOW THAT YOU'RE STRIVING TO TRY TO GET INTO THE BLACK. **[00:36] Zach Walker (City Manager):** MR. MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS I THINK A HELPFUL CAVEAT TO THAT DISCUSSION IS THAT IN OUR ENTERPRISE FUNDS WHILE WE DO WANT THEM TO OPERATE IN THE BLACK THAT'S THE OPERATIONS... HISTORICALLY WE HAVE TRIED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE OPERATING DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A DRAIN ON THE PROPERTY TAXPAYERS. **[00:37] Councilmember Shawn Nelson:** MY CONCERNS ABOUT THIS ONE IS THERE IS HONESTLY A VIABLE ALTERNATE TO US RUNNING IT... WE'VE SEEN THAT IT'S WORKED AT HIGHLAND. AND THE OTHER QUESTION I HAVE IS THERE IS $161,000 OF PROPERTY TAX THAT'S IN OUR LEVY THIS YEAR FOR THAT OPERATION. IF WE TAKE THAT OUT... DOES IT MAKE SENSE FOR US TO CONSIDER NOT DOING THAT SUBSIDY THIS YEAR? **[00:38] Lenny Schmitz (Ice Garden Manager):** [Presents Bloomington Ice Garden budget and utility cost increases]. **[00:39] Kari Carlson (CFO):** [Review of Ice Garden long-term model showing property tax needs for debt service and operations]. **[00:40] Councilmember Danielle Robertson:** THANK YOU MAYOR. I GUESS THE ONLY THING I WOULD ADD IN THIS CONVERSATION... I'M SEEING THESE PROPERTY TAX PORTIONS FOR OPERATIONS LOOKING IN YEARS FORWARD AND THAT'S A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER... I MEAN THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK IS GOING TO BE CONCERNING MOVING FORWARD. **[00:41] Leah Hughes (Center for the Arts Manager):** [Presents Center for the Arts attendance, facility fees, and the impact of Artistry's uncertainty]. **[00:43] Kari Carlson (CFO):** [Review of Center for the Arts long-term model]. **[00:44] Allison Warren (Recreation Manager):** [Presents Aquatics budget, lifeguard staffing, and Bush Lake Beach changes]. **[00:45] Councilmember Dwayne Lowman:** SO YOU KNOW THIS GOES NOT ONLY FOR THE AQUATICS BUT FOR SOME OF THE SEASONAL PROGRAMING FOR KIDS AS WELL... HAVE WE DONE IT IN THE PAST WHERE WE'VE PUT ANY FUNDS SO THAT WE COULD INCREASE THAT TO TRY TO MEET SOME OF THOSE MARKET PRESSURES? **[00:46] Ann Kattreh (Parks and Rec Director):** WE HAVE TRADITIONALLY NOT OFFERED CHILD CARE OR DAYCARE TYPE OF SERVICES... IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT THE COUNCIL WOULD LIKE US TO PURSUE, WE MOST CERTAINLY COULD PURSUE SOMETHING LIKE THAT. BUT THE COSTS WOULD BE VERY HIGH. **[00:47] Councilmember Dwayne Lowman:** WELL, I DIDN'T HEAR MYSELF ASK THAT... I JUST WANT TO ASK THE QUESTION TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS STAFFING THERE BY TRYING TO PROVIDE SOME AMOUNT OF A SURGE FUND. **[00:48] Allison Warren (Recreation Manager):** WE ALSO DID START AN INCENTIVE PROGRAM TO STAFF... AND I ALSO JUST WANT TO MENTION WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF IMPLEMENTING A LOTTERY SYSTEM TO HAVE A MORE EQUITABLE ACCESS FOR EVERYONE TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR PROGRAMS. **[00:49] Councilmember Jenna Carter:** THANK YOU VERY MUCH MAYOR... I'M WONDERING IF MOVING FORWARD... THERE'S A WAY WE CAN BE TARGETED ABOUT NOT IMPACTING FROM AN EQUITY STANDPOINT? **[00:50] Zach Walker (City Manager):** THANK YOU MR. MAYOR... STAFF DURING SOME BRAINSTORMING IDENTIFIED SOME AREAS WHERE WE THOUGHT WE COULD MAKE A SUBSTANTIAL IMPACT AND THE ISSUE THERE SIMPLY IS COST. WE WILL HAVE IT ON THE WORKPLAN WHEN WE COME FORWARD TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT. **[00:51] Councilmember Jenna Carter:** WHETHER IT WAS OUR INTENTION OR NOT I MEAN SUMMER CAMP SUMMER PROGRAMS ARE CHILD CARE IN THE SUMMER... AND THEN I ALSO WANT TO SAY THAT I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT YOU'RE CHANGING THE REGISTRATION SYSTEM TO A LOTTERY. **[00:52] Ann Kattreh (Parks and Rec Director):** MAYOR COUNCILMEMBER CARTER, I REALLY WANT TO GIVE ALLISON AND HER TEAM A LOT OF CREDIT FOR THAT... THEY WERE REALLY ABLE TO INFLUENCE ONE OF THE LARGEST RECREATION SOFTWARE PROGRAM MANUFACTURERS IN THE COUNTRY TO MAKE THIS CHANGE. **[00:53] Mayor Tim Busse:** THAT'S AMAZING. THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT. MAYBE YOU COULD TALK TO TICKETMASTER IF YOU HAVE THEM HERE IF ANYBODY COULD DO IT. ALYSON COULD. **[00:54] Councilmember Danielle Robertson:** I DID SOME QUICK MATH AND JUST WITH GOLF, THE BIG BCA AND AQUATICS I ENDED UP WITH ABOUT $1.75 MILLION IN PROPERTY TAX SUPPORT... BUDGET DECISIONS ARE POLICY DECISIONS. RIGHT. **[00:55] Councilmember Shawn Nelson:** I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IS YOU KNOW I LOOK AT THOSE PROGRAMS THAT OUR FAMILIES ARE STRUGGLING... HOW DO WE MAKE IT AFFORDABLE FOR THOSE FAMILIES THAT NEED IT? **[00:56] Diane Kirby (Director of Community Services):** [Presents Community Services overview, Public Health, Communications, and Support Services budgets]. **[00:58] Councilmember Shawn Nelson:** THANK YOU, MAYOR. JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY... DO WE HAVE ANY SENSE OF WHAT THE COST TO REVIEW AND NEGOTIATE WITH THE CABLE COMPANIES MIGHT BE? **[00:59] Diane Kirby (Director):** MY GUESS IS IT WILL BE SOMEWHERE IN THE 30 TO $50,000 RANGE. **[01:00] Councilmember Shawn Nelson:** THE REASON I BRING THAT UP, MAYOR, IS I THINK WE NEED TO THINK FURTHER ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT WE JUST BRING THAT BACK INTO THE GENERAL FUND AND ELIMINATE THE FRANCHISE FEES... WHY ARE WE LOOKING AT AN OUTSIDE CONSULTANT TO DO [THE PR STRATEGIC PLAN]? **[01:01] Diane Kirby (Director):** WE FELT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO GET OUTSIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ON DOING THAT STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS... THAT COST WAS APPROXIMATELY $26,000. **[01:02] Councilmember Danielle Robertson:** THANK YOU. THE QUESTION I HAVE THEN... DO YOU KNOW OFFHAND APPROXIMATELY HOW MUCH MORE THAT COST TO DO [THE BRIEFING] ONCE A MONTH VERSUS ONCE EVERY OTHER MONTH? **[01:03] Janine Hill (Director of Communications):** [Via Phone] YES... THAT COST WAS I BELIEVE $70,000... AND WE HIRED A PART TIME WRITER... WHICH MIGHT BE ABOUT $30,000 ADDITIONAL. **[01:04] Zach Walker (City Manager):** THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR... THE THOUGHT ABOUT JUST BRINGING THE COMMUNICATIONS INTO THE GENERAL FUND... IF THERE STARTS TO BE A LACK OF CLARITY ABOUT HOW WE ARE UTILIZING THOSE FRANCHISE FEES... IT COULD OPEN US UP TO AN AUDIT FROM COMCAST. SO THAT'S WHY WE KEEP THIS IN A SEPARATE FUND. **[01:06] Councilmember Dwayne Lowman:** FROM THE PUBLIC HEALTH SIDE... THAT BUILDING WE'VE GOT TO GET THAT DONE... AND THEN SECONDARILY I ALSO THINK THAT THIS IDEA OF HAVING A VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR... I THINK THAT IS ALSO A VERY GOOD IDEA. **[01:07] Lori Economy-Schroeder (CFO):** [Presents Finance Department budget, Insurance budget, and Grant Administration updates]. **[01:09] Councilmember Lona Dallessandro:** YES, THIS WAS ONE QUICK QUESTION, MR. MAYOR. THANK YOU. THE GRANT POSITION... I'M ASSUMING THAT OUR GRANT PERSON IS LOOKING INTO [THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT]. **[01:10] Zach Walker (City Manager):** WE TALKED ABOUT FINDING A UNICORN... JANET IS EXCEEDINGLY COMPETENT AND NOW IT'S A CAPACITY ISSUE... AS WE SEE THOSE OPPORTUNITIES WE'RE CERTAINLY GOING TO GO AFTER THEM. **[01:11] Mike Sable (Assistant City Manager):** [Presents Administration Department budget, Election costs, and Performance Management Dashboard]. **[01:12] Faith Jackson (Equity/Inclusion Director):** [Via Phone] [Discusses Office of Racial Equity, Inclusion and Belonging and internal/external work]. **[01:14] Mike Sable (Assistant City Manager):** [Presents Human Resources staffing and City Clerk overview]. **[01:15] Kristina Scipione (City Clerk):** HELLO, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL... WE RUN A VERY LEAN CREW IN OUR PASSPORT AREA... WE HAD PROPOSED TO INCREASE THAT PART TIME LICENSING SPECIALIST TO A FULL TIME POSITION... THE ADDITIONAL COST AFTER YOU INCLUDE THE ADDITIONAL PASSPORT REVENUE IS ABOUT 20,000. **[01:17] Councilmember Jenna Carter:** WHY WAS THIS NOT ORIGINALLY IN THE 2023 PRELIMINARY BUDGET? **[01:17] Mike Sable (Assistant City Manager):** I THINK THE SHORT ANSWER IS THERE'S A FINITE POOL OF RESOURCES AND WE TRIED TO PRIORITIZE THEM DIFFERENTLY. **[01:18] Councilmember Jenna Carter:** WHAT WOULD BE THE ADDITIONAL HOURS THAT THE PASSPORT OFFICE WOULD BE OPEN? **[01:19] Kristina Scipione (City Clerk):** IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO ADD MORE APPOINTMENTS IN THE EVENING HOURS... THE PLAN WOULD BE TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF APPOINTMENTS THAT WE HAVE DURING THE DAY AND ALSO TO BE ABLE TO SCHEDULE OUT MORE THAN JUST A WEEK. **[01:21] Councilmember Shawn Nelson:** AM I RIGHT IN UNDERSTANDING THAT WE'RE HAVING A NET COST TO THE CITY OF PROVIDING THIS SERVICE? **[01:22] Kristina Scipione (City Clerk):** THERE ARE OTHER THINGS THAT THESE POSITIONS DO IN ADDITION TO THE PASSPORT ACCEPTANCE... ALL OF THE ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, MASSAGE THERAPY [LICENSING]. **[01:23] Mike Sable (Assistant City Manager):** TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT IS GOING TO BE A SIGNIFICANT ITEM THAT YOU'LL HEAR ME TALK ABOUT REPEATEDLY IN FUTURE YEARS. **[01:24] Councilmember Lona Dallessandro:** HOW MANY OF THOSE [137 RECRUITMENTS] ARE ATTRITION VERSUS NEW POSITIONS? **[01:25] Zach Walker (City Manager):** ALMOST ALL OF THOSE ARE TURNOVER RECRUITMENTS. **[01:26] Kari Carlson (CFO):** [Presents the 2023 Overall Budget and Tax Levy Discussion. Introduces seven options for reducing the levy from the preliminary 10.5%]. **[01:28] Zach Walker (City Manager):** I JUST WANT TO PLANT MY FLAG IN THE GROUND HERE... I FEEL RELATIVELY STRONGLY ABOUT THE STRATEGIC PRIORITIES AND NOT CONTINUING TO HAVE THE $1.8 MILLION LEVY STABILIZATION... THE TRANSITION TO THE HYBRID STAFFING MODEL IS GOING TO TAKE US TEN YEARS. MAKING A GOOD DOWN PAYMENT ON IT NEXT YEAR WOULD BE GOOD. **[01:29] Councilmember Danielle Robertson:** IN TERMS OF THE TRANSITION TO THE FULL TIME FIRE DEPARTMENT... DOES THAT MAKE A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE? WOULD IT BE PENNY WISE AND POUND FOOLISH TO ONLY BRING ON 18 INSTEAD OF 24? **[01:30] Zach Walker (City Manager):** I WOULD PROBABLY FALL DOWN ON THE SIDE OF MODEL EFFICIENCY. **[01:31] Ulie Seal (Fire Chief):** THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 18 AND 24 IS SIX PEOPLE... WHICH GIVES US BETTER COVERAGE. WE'RE KIND OF SPREADING OUT OUR IMPACT AS WE TRY TO BUILD OUR STAFFING MODEL. **[01:32] Councilmember Dwayne Lowman:** I'D LIKE TO SEE THAT SIX FIREFIGHTERS AND I'D ALSO LIKE TO SEE THE SIX POLICE INCLUDED IN THAT NUMBER. I THINK WE REALLY HAVE IDENTIFIED A PUBLIC SAFETY NEED. **[01:34] Councilmember Lona Dallessandro:** WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR IS A COMBINATION HERE... IDEALLY I THINK SOMETHING UNDER 9% WOULD BE GREAT. **[01:35] Mayor Tim Busse:** WHAT IF IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE SEVEN OF US TONIGHT TO COME UP WITH A NUMBER? IF WE COULD DO THAT AND THEN TURN IT BACK OVER TO STAFF TO TRY AND FIGURE EXACTLY HOW WE GET THERE. **[01:36] Councilmember Patrick Martin:** I'M IN FAVOR OF DOING OPTION ONE BUT MY PRIORITY IS STAFFING... IF WE DON'T PAY FOR IT TODAY WE'RE GOING TO PAY FOR IT NEXT YEAR. **[01:37] Councilmember Shawn Nelson:** I SUPPORT THE FIREFIGHTERS. I SUPPORT THE POLICE OFFICERS. I'D LIKE MORE INFORMATION ON STRATEGIC PRIORITIES... ADMIN WENT UP LIKE 13% AND I THINK THAT ONE DESERVES A LITTLE BIT MORE SCRUTINY. **[01:38] Councilmember Danielle Robertson:** FOR ME I THINK A GOOD TARGET WOULD BE SOMEWHERE IN THE 9% RANGE. THE CLOSEST FRANKLY TO MY THINKING WOULD PROBABLY BE OPTION FOUR. **[01:39] Councilmember Jenna Carter:** I REALLY, REALLY WOULD LIKE TO SEE US BELOW 9%. **[01:40] Mayor Tim Busse:** I WOULD AGREE WITH COUNCILMEMBER COULTER. I'M PROBABLY LEANING CLOSER TO NUMBER FOUR... I DO NOT HAVE SPECIFIC DIRECTION, BUT I AM CONFIDENT SAYING THAT I HAVE GENERAL DIRECTION [FOR STAFF]. **[01:42] Zach Walker (City Manager):** JUST TO SET AN EXPECTATION... THE NEXT TIME WE'RE PLANNING TO HAVE A BUDGET CONVERSATION IS GOING TO BE ON DECEMBER 5TH. **[01:43] Mayor Tim Busse:** THE DELEGATES FROM VIRGINIA YOU'RE OKAY WITH THAT? VERY GOOD. ALL RIGHT THEN THE LAST ITEM TONIGHT ITEM 2.4 FOR THE CITY MANAGER COUNCIL UPDATES. **[01:44] Councilmember Lona Dallessandro:** MAYOR I JUST WANTED TO WISH EVERYBODY A HAPPY THANKSGIVING. I'M GRATEFUL FOR ALL OF YOU. **[01:45] Mayor Tim Busse:** I WOULD ENTERTAIN MOTION TO ADJOURN. **[01:45] Councilmember Shawn Nelson:** SO MOVED. **[01:45] Mayor Tim Busse:** A MOTION IN A SECOND TO ADJOURN. MR. BROUSSARD, WE HAVE A MOTION IN A SECOND. WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL? **[01:45] Priyanka Rai (Council Secretary):** [Calls roll: Nelson, Carter, Lowman, Martin, Dallessandro, Rivas, Busse]. **[01:46] Mayor Tim Busse:** MOTION CARRIES SEVEN ZERO. WE ARE ADJOURNED. THANKS COUNSELOR. GOOD DISCUSSION.