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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007/10/22 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session CITY OF OFFICIAL MINUTES T. LOUIS CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION PARK OCTOBER 22,2007 The meeting convened at 6:40 p.m. Councilmembers present: John Basill, C. Paul Carver, Phil Finkelstein, Paul Omodt, Loran Paprocki and Susan Sanger. Councilmembers absent: Paul Omodt, Mayor Jeff Jacobs arrived at 8:35 p.m. Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Deputy City Manager/HR Director (Ms. Gohman), Director of Inspections (Mr. Hoffman), Director of Park and Recreation (Ms. Walsh), Community Development Director (Mr. Locke), Director of Public Works (Mr. Rardin), Communications Coordinator (Mr. Zwilling), Director Technology and Support Services (Mr. Pires), Finance Director(Mr. DeJong), Public Works Administrative Coordinator(Mr. Merkley), Public Works Administrative Specialist (Ms. Hellekson) and Recording Secretary (Ms. Schmidt). Guests: Mike Siok,John Bathon, ARINC; Henry Camacho, Unplugged Cities; Jennefer Klennert, Waste Management. 1. Future Study Session Agenda Planning Mr. Harmening and Council discussed study session agenda planning. 2. Wireless Update Mr. Pires presented the staff report. Mr. Siok gave an updated progress report on WiFi since the last meeting with Council on September 24, 2007. Council, staff and Mr. Siok discussed the overall project, when the project would be completed and if any more delays were foreseen due to weather or problems with the system. Mr. Siok explained the project areas that still needed attention and why there were delays. He indicated ARINC was now looking at a 12-7-07 completion date. Council had concern with the newly ARINC proposed final completion date projection of 12-7-07, further asking if the entire project, with all four quadrants, would be completed by that date. Council further stated their disappointment with delays and inquired as to how long the testing would take once the project was turned over to the City. Council and Mr. Siok discussed the resources available to complete the project pursuant to the contract by the 12-7-07 date. Council also suggested ARINC work weekends to meet the original 11-30-07 completion date. Council inquired as to the number of poles being put up and if there would be more than originally suggested. Mr. Siok advised Council the number had increased, but was not sure of the exact amount. Mr. Pires noted that more poles going in would equate to larger maintenance efforts and costs to the City. Council asked when the shrouds would be installed, to which Mr. Siok stated once the project was acceptable and handed over to the City, the shrouds could go up. Council and staff discussed the projection of when they would be able to market the system. Council requested staff provide maps showing the neighborhoods as they are completed. Council stated that some residents were losing confidence in ARINC's ability to deliver a quality product due to its repeated revisits and efforts to try to make the system operational in Phase 1. Study Session Minutes -2- October 22, 2007 Mr. Harmening suggested ARINC stick to the original completion date of 11-30-07 and clarified that the City expects it to meet that date pursuant to the performance contract. There was Council consensus to uphold the 11-30-07 completion date with ARINC. 3. 2008 Budget Discussion Ms. Gohman presented the staff reports. Council and staff had discussion on climate, succession and management leadership and facility maintenance studies. Council also inquired about the projected budget for employee benefits in year 2008. Council suggested the labor management committees provide some input and see if there would be a need for consultants, suggesting internal resources may be the most beneficial. Councilmember Paprocki stated he felt the University Park program was a great program. Mr. Harmening stated it has been a great staff initiative for the continued leadership development within the City, which also allowed them to sell it to other organizations and defray the City's costs. Ms. Gohman stated there had also been funds put aside in the 2008 budget for Council's direction on use for Vision related activities. Mr. Harmening suggested a two-year survey cycle would provide more strategic direction in the Visioning process. 4. 2008—2012 CIP Discussion Mr. Harmening, Ms. Walsh, Mr. DeJong, Mr. Rardin, Mr. Hoffman, Mr. Pires and Mr. Locke along with Council discussed the overall view and individual fund details, inquiring if Council had any questions on individual projects. Council discussed the trail access and parking at the vacant lot at 7701 Edgebrook Drive, along with the possibility of adding a frisbee golf park or other under served recreational type activities. Councilmember Finkelstein complimented Ms. Walsh for the park improvements of the skate park and the bee hive restoration project. Ms. Gohman stated funding for trail system and community center would be discussed at a future meeting. Mr. Rardin stated the pavement management is projecting to maintain a positive fund balance over the next five years. Council and staff discussed a possible increase in franchising fees. Councilmember Finkelstein complimented Mr. Rardin on staff's forward thinking and planning ahead for the street pavement management funding. Mr. Harmening stated staff would need to do some long-range planning to provide money for the technology replacement fund and municipal building funds. Mr. Pires stated he would like to look at economic development projects and include technology as part of that development. Mr. Pires stated police and fire would be requiring some additional equipment with regard to the WiFi rollout. Mr. DeJong suggested property tax levies and/or yearly transfers from the general fund could provide some funding; however, he would like to see something more permanent. Mr. Pires stated they might have to look at charging technology fees in the future. Mr. Harmening stated as a short-term fix they would be able to transfer funds internally, but it would not be long-term solution.