HomeMy WebLinkAboutStudy Session Notes 10/20/2014STUDY SESSION NOTES
CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO
City Council Chambers 7500 W. 291h Avenue
October 20, 2014
Mayor Jay called the Study Session to order at 6:30p.m.
Council members present: Jerry DiTullio, Bud Starker, Kristi Davis, Zachary Urban,
Tracy Langworthy, Tim Fitzgerald, George Pond, and Genevieve Wooden
Also present: City Clerk, Janelle Shaver; City Attorney, Jerry Dahl; Community
Development Director, Ken Johnstone; Police Chief, Daniel Brennan; administrative
Services Director, Heather Geyer; Public Works Director, Scott Brink; Parks Director,
Joyce Manwaring; and interested citizens
PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS
Christine Disney (WR) encouraged Council to go forward with the 39th Avenue
implementation. She did the bus tour of the City. She's lived here 20 years and noticed
there are new businesses but the corridor could use some sprucing up.
Gina Hallisey spoke as a representative of the Zoppe Circus. She presented the final
financial report on the Circus and the Carnation Festival budget. She also presented
checkstotheCity.
Adam Wiley (WR), Active Transportation Advisory Team, spoke in support of the budget
for alternative transportation. Their goal for 2015 is to link 35th in Wheat Ridge to the
Denver bike path on 351h, work on ADA compliance, and work on Bike/Ped Master Plan.
Rachel Hultin (WR) from the ATAT, echoed what Adam said. She encouraged
investment in Wheat Ridge.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
.L Staff Report(s) none
2. 2015 Proposed Budget Presentation
City Manager Patrick Goff went through the power point presentation of next year's
budget. [Attached electronically or in hard copy form] Some highlights included:
Short term Budget Picture
• $589,649--City Manager reductions
• Continuation of Priority Based Budgeting
• $1 .4 M transfer to CIP from General Fund
• $125,000 transfer to Capital Equipment Replacement Fund from General Fund
• Decreased fund balance to 17% minimum reserve level per Council policy
STUDY SESSION NOTES: October 20, 2014 Page -2-
Long-term Fiscal Challenges
Perpetual systemic gap continues
Capital Improvement Projects funding gap projected for 2015-2023
• There is no funding beyond 2015 for capital projects
• 1% sales tax increase on the Nov ballot ($6.4 M dedicated to public works, parks,
and recreation infrastructure projects)
2015 Projected Revenue $36M (a 7% decrease compared to 2014 estimated)
Beginning Fund balance $13M
~ Total available funds $49M
2015 Proposed Expenditures $40.8M (19% decrease compared to 2014)
(Includes General 72%, CIP 16% and 8 special revenue funds (12% combined)
2015 Proposed General Fund Revenues $28.9M (5% decrease compared to 2014)
~ Projected Revenues $28.9M + Beg Fund Balance $8.4 = $37.4 M available
• Sales tax-60%; Use tax-9%; Other taxes-8%; Intergovernmental-6%;
Licenses-4%; Services-3.7%; Fines 2.5%; Property tax 2.6; Other-1 %;
Interest-0.1%
2015 Proposed General Fund Expenditures $29.7 M* (4% decrease compared to 2014)
*$28.9 M Projected Revenue + $794,206 use of Reserves
Police 32%
Public Works 15%
Administrative Services 11%
General Government 10%
Parks/Recreation 15%
Central Charges 1 0%
Community Development 4%
Goal 1 -Economically Viable Commercial Areas
$450,000 -Urban Renewal funding for projects
$400,000 -ESTIP and TIF's (tax incentives)
$ 98,600 -Ridge at 38 public events
Court 3%
$ 80,000 -Citywide public relations and marketing efforts ($60K for PR firm contract;
$20K for general economic develop related marketing and advertising)
$ 50,000 -Community engagement and communications (to WR2020 for staffing
related to communication efforts in the community)
$ 45,000 -WR Business District Loan Program (requested amount)
$ 40,000 -Live Local events (to WR2020) slight increase from last year
$ 25,000 -Building Up Business Loan Program (BUBL) (to WR2020) same as 2013
$ 15,000 -Citywide marketing and positioning tours (to WR2020) tours for realtors,
developers, new residents, etc)
$ 10,000 -441h Ave Corridor marketing efforts
$ 5,000 -291h Ave Marketplace efforts
$151 ,700 -Kipling Corridor planning efforts (Don't have a sub-area plan; need a plan
for what the corridor should look like)
$ 15,000 -Ridge at 38 banners and lights program (to WR2020)
Goal2-Financially Sound City Providing Exceptional Services
$1 ,600,000-Preventative street maintenance (CIP budget) (Actual need is $4 million)
$ 125,000-Transfer to Equipment Replacement Fund (for large equipment)
STUDY SESSION NOTES: October 20, 2014 Page -3-
$ 516,000-Fleet acquisition and Replacement (one front end loader; mostly police)
$ 450,000-Employee compensation (3% projected increase)
$ 235,000-Regionalization of Police Records Management System (Fund 57) Will
save millions over the years in software/program upgrades
$ 69,000-Lakewood crime lab services (outsource saves money)
$ 35,000 -City Hall LED lighting retrofits (Upfront cost; will save money over time)
$ 31 ,280-Regional crime lab (outsource saves money)
$ 30,950 -Employee safety & wellness programs (helps keep insurance rates down)
$ 17,000 -Priority Based Budgeting (year 4)
Goal 3: Desirable Neighborhoods
$300,000-Prospect Park improvements (Open Space Fund)
$180,000 -Outdoor pool maintenance (OS)
$100,000-Ped/bike improvements (CIP) (No specific project identified as yet)
$100,000 -Recreation Center maintenance (Conservation Trust Fund)
$ 85,000-Stites Park new playground equipment (Cons . Trust Fund)
$ 75,000-Active Adult Center parking lot replacement (Cons . Trust Fund)
$ 70,000-Kipling pedestrian trail improvement grant match (OS)
$ 35 ,000-Expansion of WR Block Improvement Program (to WR2020) (East WR
program to expand to other parts of the City; increase of $20K over 2013)
$ 28,500-Traffic Signal upgrades
$ 25,000-Home Investment Loan Program (HIP) (to WR2020)
$ 25,000 -Hayward Park outdoor fitness equipment (City Hall)
$ 17,655-Police Dept community-oriented neighborhood programs
$ 17,280 -Police Dept greenbelt patrol
$ 13,000-Aging Needs plan implementation
$ 10,000-Police Dept special events overtime
Goal4: More Attractive Wheat Ridge
$2,835,000 -Kipling multi-use path and lighting (partially grant funded)
$ 230,000-Parks and trails maintenance projects (Cons. Trust Fund and OS)
$ 90,000-Open Space improvements (general)
$ 55,636 -ROW maintenance contract (outsourced)
$ 36,000-Bus shelter/bench maintenance and cleaning
$ 20,000 -Public art acquisition (Public Art Fund)
$ 5,000 -Ridge at 38 annual plantings
$ 5,000-Large item pick-up program
Other Notable budget items
• $80,000 Carnation Festivai/Zoppe Circus (New combined event funding request
+ $28,000 for in-kind assistance (same as past) ($25K overtime; $3K barricades)
$42 ,000 Seniors Resource Center circulator bus (requested amount; same as 2013)
• $16,450 Jeffco Public Schools outdoor lab
$15,000 Arvada Food Bank (services all ofWR now)
• $10,000 Feed the Future Back Pack
• $10,000 Action Center capital campaign (last year agreed to $10Kiyr for 3 yrs)
• $10,000 Outside agency program (non-profits that serve WR)
• $ 4,000 Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC)
STUDY SESSION NOTES: October 20, 2014 Page -4-
• $ 3,000 Kite Festival
• $ 2, 500 Exempla Lutheran Leaves of Hope event
$ 2,500 Jefferson Center for Mental Health
• $ 2,500 WRHS Farmers 5000
• $ 1,000 WR Active Transportation Advisory Team (requested by ATAT)
Management contingency fund-$100,000 consolidation of Citywide contingency
funds (saves $75K a year)
Biennial citizen survey-$21 ,000-budgeted in 2014 and put on hold until 2015
2015 Proposed Capital Investment Program (CIP) $6 .5 M
(53%from grants; 41% from General Fund transfer)
Mr. Brink went through the Capital budget.
CIP Major Projects
$2.8M Kipling Street trail (80% grant funded; 20% City share)
$1.6M Preventative street maintenance (mostly asphalt overlay; also patching, crack
sealing, striping, misc. curb work; up from $1 .3M last year)
$680,228 Gold Line Station project (Tabor St: 1-70 north to rail line) (Fully grant funded
from RTD/federal)
$470,000 Wadsworth PEL (Planning study for 35th to 46th Ave; should be finished this
spring; federal grants cover 53%)
$250,000 Clear Creek Storm sewer outfall replacements (where storm water dumps into
Clear Creek; one near Balsam, one near Marshall)
$200,000 291h & Fenton intersection improvements (Denver Water will contribute)
$100,000 Bike/Ped improvements (to continue momentum; next project TBD)
$100,000 Neighborhood Traffic Management Program (program resurrected this year)
$ 50,000 Sidewalk ADA Transition Plan (to inventory ped ramps, mobility, ADA
compliance, increased walkability and transit access)
$ 15,000 Neighborhood street light installation (resurrected program; for neighborhood
requests)
+ Very limited funds available in 2016 and beyond
+ Continue to research and apply for grants
+Sales tax referendum partially dedicated to public works and parks and recreation
capital projects. If it fails possible budget cuts, new or increased fees, or charges for
service.
Joyce Manwaring went through the Parks and Recreation budgets for the Recreation
Center Fund, the Open Space Fund, and the Conservation Trust Fund
Open Space Fund Major Projects
Parks maintenance staff salaries $492,379
Prospect Park Improvements -$300,000
Outdoor pool maintenance -$180,000
Parks maintenance projects-$100,000
Open Space improvements $90,000
Kipling Ped Improvements Grants Match-$70,000
Trail Replacement/Repair-$50 ,000
Jeffco Open Space River Corridor Match-$25 ,000
STUDY SESSION NOTES: October 20, 2014
Conservation Trust Fund (Lottery money} Major Projects
Rec Center maintenance-$100,000
Stites Park Playground replacement -$85,000
Active Adult Center Parking lot replacement-$75,000
Park maintenance projects (ADA compliance)-$50,000
Resurfacing tennis/ basketball courts-$30,000
Outdoor fitness equip at Hayward Park -$25,000
Page -5-
Miscellaneous Special Funds (small funds; not discussed; see budget Pages 176-188)
Mr. Goff continued.
Staffing changes-overall net increase of 3.11 FTE's
Eliminated positions: 0.875 FTE Deputy Court Clerk-Muni Court (position never filled)
0.010 FTE Court Marshall --Muni Court (clerical error)
0.005 FTE Recreation Coordinator-Parks (clerical error)
Grant Funded positions: 2.0 FTE Police Officers-1 SRO; 1 Vice
(Previously funded with COPS grant; funding by City required in 2015)
New positions: 1.0 FTE Permit Tech-Comm Dev
(High volume of permits; currently have one tech; would increase customer service)
2.0 FTE Emergency Services Specialist-Police
1.0 FTE Deputy Court Administrator-Muni Court
2015 Pay-for-performance is in Year 3
$450,000 for 3% increase -consistent with market survey
Insurance benefits: Medical = 5% increase Dental = 4.85% increase
Vision = no increase Employees will absorb the cost increases in 2015
The Sonic Boom wellness program is very successful
City Insurance Coverage: Workers comp is up 8%; Property/Casualty is down 10%
2015 Proposed General Fund Budget is balanced using reserves.
$9 M is directly linked to Council Goals.
Continue to defer maintenance and large equipment .
Council Discussion
Councilmember Davis requested balancing the budget without using reserves (about
$800,000). Discussion followed. The historic Council policy of maintaining a 25%
reserve, but allow going down to 17%, was discussed. Councilmembers Pond and
Fitzgerald expressed they were OK with 17% reserves.
Councilmember Davis asked for consensus to move toward a balanced budget without
using reserves, with councillors to express preferences for cutting. Only 4 were in favor.
Discussion continued.
Councilmember DiTullio suggested some reduction in funding in vehicle replacement and
some consolidation of the City Marketing and WR2020 Marketing.
STUDY SESSION NOTES: October 20, 2014 Page -6-
Councilmember Starker received consensus to go through the budget tonight and
discuss places to trim, if possible, and ask staff to do the same.
Councilmember Starker suggested postponing rebuilding the 29th & Fenton intersection
($200,000) until the Ashland Reservoir is finished .
Councilmember Davis suggested removing the $15,000 for 38th banners and lighting as
we already have the $80K for marketing. She also recommended discontinuation of
funding for the Circus.
Councilmember Fitzgerald suggested cutting things from the Capital Improvement Fund
and expressed support for cuts in the equipment fund .
Councilmember Wooden asked if the Kipling Corridor planning ($151 , 700) could be
downsized and for the Citywide right-of-way maintenance contracts ($55,636) to be
examined. She also suggested delaying park improvements, but Mr. Goff said they are
from Open Space funds and would not affect the General Fund.
Councilmember Pond had questions about how the General Fund transfer works.
Councilmember Starker inquired if there was room to lower the monies for ESTIP and
Urban Renewal. Mr. Goff thinks there is. -He would like to see marketing for 291h Ave
the same as for 44th Ave.-He agreed on lowering funds for fleet acquisition. -He
agrees with removing funding for the Circus. -He recommended neighborhood identity
signage be included as part of the Neighborhood Traffic Management program (but no
increase to the amount for the program).
Councilmember DiTullio said he supported postponing 29th & Fenton, downsizing the
Kipling Corridor planning, and adding neighborhood signage to the traffic calming
program.
Councilmember Urban inquired about the ADA Transition Plan ($50,000). Mr. Brink said
the biggest cost is hiring temporary help to go out and do the survey, but he will look at it.
Councilmember DiTullio doesn't favor cutting donations to community non-profit program.
Councilmember Fitzgerald noted the police department is the biggest part of our budget.
3. Elected Officials' Report(s) none
ADJOURNMENT
The Study Session adjourned at 8:29 p.m.
nelle Shaver, C1ty Clerk