committee of the Whole

Summary

Meeting Overview

The LFUCG Council met on June 16, 2009, to address changes to the Master Plan Budget (MPB), presided over by the Vice Mayor. The council considered five agenda items, took seven votes, and heard three public comments during the session.

The meeting focused primarily on budget matters for the fiscal year 2010. The council approved the review and approval of late item changes to the FY 2010 Budget, adopted the Mayor's proposed budget with amendments, and approved an amendment to the franchise fee revenue projection. Additionally, the council approved a motion to bond $1 million for the Trail Bond Fund. One item—Non-Budget Signage Recommendations—was referred for further consideration rather than voted on immediately.

Overall, the council approved four of the five agenda items brought before it, with one item referred to committee or a future meeting for additional review.

Attendance

The following individuals were present at the meeting on June 16, 2009:

Council Members: - Council Member Gordon - Council Member Martin - Council Member James - Council Member Lane - Council Member Ellinger - Council Member McCord - Council Member Stenet - Council Member Myers - Council Member Lawless - Council Member Feigl

Other Attendees: - Mayor Redekop - Jerry - Bill O'Meara - Mary Pfister

No council members or attendees were recorded as absent or late.

Votes and Decisions

The meeting included seven votes on budget and administrative matters, all of which passed.

Motion to accept late item changes to the FY 2010 budget 6:38 Moved by Mr. Tenet. Passed by voice vote.

Motion to bond $1 million for the trail bond fund 8:41 Moved by Council Member McCord and seconded by Council Member Gordon. This motion passed unanimously with 11 ayes and 0 nays. The following voted in favor: Council Member McCord, Council Member Gordon, Council Member Martin, Council Member James, Council Member Lane, Council Member Ellinger, Council Member Stenet, Council Member Myers, Council Member Lawless, Council Member Feigl, and Jerry.

Motion to refer non-budget signage recommendations to the Planning Committee 30:57 Moved by Council Member Martin and seconded by Council Member Stenet. Passed by voice vote.

Motion to amend franchise fee revenue projection from 3% to 3.5% 40:27 Moved by Council Member Stenet and seconded by Council Member Ellinger. Passed by voice vote.

Amendment to increase franchise fee revenue projection to 4.2% 52:25 Moved by Council Member Stenet and seconded by Council Member Ellinger. Passed by voice vote.

Amendment to increase franchise fee revenue projection to 4.5% 1:02:46 Moved by Council Member McCord and seconded by Council Member Ellinger. Passed by voice vote.

Motion to accept the Mayor's proposed budget with amendments adopted by the Council of the Whole 2:09:38 Moved by Council Member Gordon and seconded by Council Member Stenet. Passed by voice vote.

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting addressed multiple financial actions and appropriations across various city departments and services:

Revenue and Transfers

• Increase in franchise fees by 1.5%, generating $252,000
• Transfer of $1,280,000 from the overtime account to the regular personnel account for firefighter recruitment
• Use of unspent 2006B bond funds ($185,000) to reduce debt service in the general fund
• Utilization of debt service savings for design of Station #2 relocation ($25,043,880)

Equipment and Purchases

• Purchase of 6 radar trailers for police districts from the asset forfeiture account ($69,000)
• Funding for office relocations within the Phoenix Building ($25,000)

Personnel and Staffing Appropriations

• Funding for two vacant auditor positions ($140,000)
• Funding for two vacant Nuisance Control Officers ($25,000)
• Funding for reclassification process for Coroner's Office employees ($25,000)
• Funding for a Social Services Coordinator for Black & James Center ($100,000)
• Funding for an Administrative Officer (grade 118) for Day Treatment Center ($100,000)
• Funding for a Director position in Budgeting ($123,347)
• Funding for a Director position in Office of Policy & Budget ($153,180)
• Funding for an aide to Council position ($70,701)
• Funding for 4 additional animal control personnel ($58,080)
• Restoration of animal control funding to reflect 5% reduction level ($52,100)
• Funding for a part-time CSEPP Coordinator as a contract employee, 100% grant funded ($23,000)
• Funding for a Paramedic Nurse Coordinator as a contract employee ($11,850)

Employee Benefits and Services

• Funding for YMCA membership subsidy for non-collective bargaining employees ($100,000)
• Funding for optional flu immunizations for LFUCG employees ($100,000)
• Funding for personal protective equipment and college scholarship reimbursement for Fire & Emergency Services ($435,000)

Other Appropriations

• Funding for Sister Cities salary level to FY 2009 level ($40,000)
• Funding for study with UK ($100,000)
• Funding for Council Members' NDF and Operating Accounts to FY 2009 levels ($245,850)
• Additional funds for increased advertising expense for Council Clerk ($199,520)
• Correction to LexCall Staff Assistant (107) civil service salaries and benefits ($100,000)
• Renegotiation of online research contract ($100,000)

Public Comment

Three council members addressed the body during the meeting, raising concerns about signage regulations, state revenue conditions, and budget implementation.

Signage Ordinance Review

28:50 Council Member Martin raised concerns about neighborhood and commercial signage issues. He noted that neighborhood groups were experiencing difficulty posting signs for meetings, while commercial property owners faced restrictions on sign size. Council Member Martin recommended reviewing the signage ordinance and referred the matter to the Planning Committee for further consideration.

State Revenue Trends

1:07:24 Council Member Lane presented state revenue data indicating declines across multiple tax categories, including sales tax, corporate income tax, and individual income tax collections. He urged the council to maintain vigilance regarding local revenue trends and to be prepared for potential budget adjustments in response to these statewide economic conditions.

Budget Accountability and Implementation

2:05:53 Council Member Myers emphasized the importance of council oversight extending beyond the initial budget adoption process. He proposed a resolution to mandate hiring for key positions that had been approved in the budget, ensuring that budgeted positions would actually be filled and the budget would be properly implemented.

Contested Items

Revenue Projection Increase

The council debated a proposal to increase the franchise fee revenue projection from 3% to 4.5%. Council Member Ellinger opposed the increase, arguing that it was irresponsible given declining state revenues. Other council members supported the proposal, citing recent data and economic recovery indicators as justification for the higher projection. This disagreement resulted in a split vote.

Budget Adoption and Administrative Oversight

Council members engaged in a heated discussion regarding the extent of council control over budget implementation. The central concern was whether the administration could make significant cuts to the budget without requiring council approval, despite the budget having already been passed. This debate reflected broader questions about the balance of power between the council and administration in managing fiscal decisions after the budget's adoption.

Review and Approval of Late Item Changes to FY 2010 Budget

0:00

The Council reviewed and approved late item changes to the FY 2010 budget totaling $682,040 in net reductions to the General Fund. These changes were submitted by the administration after the Mayor's proposed budget had been presented.

Key Speakers

Mr. Tenet and Jerry led the discussion on this agenda item.

Changes Presented

The late item changes involved reconciliations from various funds and included adjustments to both revenue and expense items. The net effect of these adjustments resulted in a reduction of $682,040 to the General Fund.

Outcome

The Council approved the late item changes to the FY 2010 budget.

Motion to Bond $1 Million for Trail Bond Fund

Council Member McCord proposed bonding $1 million for the trail bond fund to support green infrastructure initiatives 9:14. The proposal was framed within the context of federal transportation reauthorization, with McCord emphasizing the need for flexible local funding mechanisms to leverage available grants.

The motion was discussed by Council Members Martin, Lane, and Ellinger in addition to McCord. The key rationale presented was that establishing this bond fund would enable the municipality to access and maximize federal transportation funding opportunities while maintaining local control over how those resources are deployed for trail development and related green infrastructure projects.

The council voted unanimously to approve the motion to bond $1 million for the trail bond fund.

Non-Budget Signage Recommendations

28:50

Council Member Martin brought forward concerns regarding neighborhood and commercial signage regulations during this agenda item discussion. The Council engaged in deliberation about the existing signage ordinances and their application across the municipality.

Key Participants

The discussion involved Council Member Martin, who initiated the matter, along with Council Member Stenet and Council Member Lane.

Issues Raised

Council Member Martin presented concerns about how current signage regulations affect both neighborhood and commercial areas. The discussion centered on the need to examine and potentially revise the existing ordinances governing signage throughout the jurisdiction.

Action Taken

Following the discussion, the Council voted to refer the matter to the Planning Committee for further review. This referral will allow the Planning Committee to examine the signage regulations in detail and consider potential changes to the ordinance framework. The outcome indicates the Council's intent to pursue a comprehensive review rather than take immediate action on the matter.

Amendment to Franchise Fee Revenue Projection

34:40

The Council discussed and debated an amendment to the franchise fee revenue projection during this agenda item. The proposed change involved increasing the projected franchise fee growth rate from 3% to 4.5%.

Rationale for the Amendment

The amendment was based on recent data indicating higher-than-expected collections and projected increases in utility rates. Council members determined that the original 3% projection did not adequately reflect current revenue trends and future expectations.

Key Speakers and Discussion

Council Member Stenet, Council Member Ellinger, Council Member McCord, and Council Member Gordon participated in the debate regarding this amendment. The discussion centered on whether the increased projection of 4.5% was justified and appropriate for addressing identified revenue shortfalls.

Outcome

The Council approved the amendment to increase the franchise fee revenue projection from 3% to 4.5%. This adjustment was intended to better align the revenue projections with actual collection data and anticipated utility rate increases.

Adoption of Mayor's Proposed Budget with Amendments

The Council voted to adopt the Mayor's proposed budget with amendments. The final budget totaled $279.03 million, adjusted from the Mayor's initial proposal of $278.8 million to reflect amendments including a franchise fee increase. 2:09:38

Key Speakers and Discussion

Council Member Gordon, Council Member Stenet, Council Member Ellinger, and Council Member Myers participated in the discussion on this agenda item.

Outcome

The motion to adopt the amended budget passed with support from most Council members. However, some members expressed concerns about the revenue assumptions underlying the budget proposal during the deliberation.