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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.21.14 - Study Session NotesSTUDY SESSION NOTES CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO (Hybrid - Virtual Meeting) OCTOBER 21, 2024 This meeting was conducted both as a virtual meeting and hybrid, where some members of the Council or City staff were physically present at the Municipal building, and some members of the public attended in person as well. A quorum of members of Council were present in Council Chambers for this session. The Mayor explained the virtual/hybrid meeting format, how citizens will have the opportunity to be heard, and the procedures and policies to be followed. 1. Call to Order Mayor Starker called the Special Study Session to order at 6:30 p.m. 2. Attendance Council Members present: Jenny Snell, Rachel Hultin, Janeece Hoppe, Amanda Weaver, Korey Stites, Dan Larson, Leah Dozeman and Scott Ohm. Absent None. Also present: City Manager Patrick Goff, Deputy City Manager Allison Scheck, Assistant City Manager Marianne Schilling, Director of Public Works Maria D’Andrea, Director of Community Development Lauren Mikulak; Police Chief Chris Murtha; Municipal Court Administrator Kersten Armstrong; Director of Parks and Recreation Karen O’Donnell; and Senior Deputy City Clerk Margy Greer. 3. Public’s Right to Speak None. 4. Proposed 2025 Budget City Manager Patrick Goff introduced the 2025 proposed budget presentation stating Council’s Vision 2035 statement and reminded Council they could revisit the Vision Statement at their January annual retreat. Goff thanked Allison Scheck and all of the department directors for their hard work in putting the budget together. Deputy City Manager Alli Scheck and City Manager Patrick Goff gave a PowerPoint presentation regarding the proposed budget and spoke to several budget items including Year in Review regarding the 2024 General Fund Budget; 2025 Budget Overview; the Budget Fund Structure; and the 2025 Total Proposed Budget of $95.6 million, which included a $48.7 million General Fund and $38.89 million Capital Programs Budget. They reviewed the Total Expenditures by Fund; 2025 General Fund Revenues; the 2025 Projected General Fund Expenditures; and the Restricted Fund Balances. While speaking to the Financial Health of the City, they stated their concerns of meeting the Council’s minimum 17% Reserve and the recommendations on how to Balance the Budget which included placing short-term rental lodgers’ tax back to the General Fund (for one-two years); hold some vacant positions from being filled; reduction of across the board travel and conferences; utilizing ARPA funds for general operating purposes and reducing outside agency contributions. Each Department Director spoke about their 2024 Accomplishments and 2025 Strategic Priorities. The Capital Improvement Program in all areas of the City was spoken to at great length and the use of the 2J Bond Projects Fund was presented. Overall, Patrick Goff spoke to a proposed reduction in expenditures for 2025 and the need to focus on projects currently in process reaching completion in 2025. It was stated that the last five years have had a robust work program for the City and it’s time to pause and reset. Goff stated that he and Alli Scheck will be talking to Council regarding some proposed changes to their fund balance policy, Council Comments Council Weaver asked for Council’s support regarding finding funds for a safety remedy and sidewalks for children walking along between Miller and Simms on 38th Avenue. Council Member Hoppe asked if they should look at a policy regarding when they can fund or not fund the Housing program or move monies from the General Fund into the Housing program. She stated she does not want to lose site that this is only a short- term solution for a year or two and not to continue full time. Goff stated that it is the intent to only keep it in the General Fund for the next year or two and something could be written into the budget notes, but he suggested Council not restrict themselves by creating a policy, as future needs may dictate otherwise. Hoppe asked Karen O’Donnell to look at the diving blocks being replaced as well. Council Member Hultin expressed concern about not funding the Housing program as there was an intent with those dollars to help solve issues in the community. Goff stated that the Housing program had enough funding for 2025 without the transfer from the General Fund and that not diverting money from the General Fund to the Housing program is a short-term solution for perhaps a year or two only. Hultin and Hoppe asked that the funding discussion take place when the Inclusionary Zoning discussion takes place. Hultin also asked in 2025 for Council to look at funding sources for the CIP program. She asked about funding for school property acquisition and if the City is positioned to take action when those properties become available. O’Donnell stated that they are seeking feedback through their pathway projects; however, funding is limited. Goff stated that it is on the table, but the funds are not in the budget. The goal is to get the Green completed and then build up on the Conversation Trust Fund again. Hultin asked if the budget could be looked again in June, when hopefully revenues would be up. She stated she wanted to be sure to prioritize those purchases. Council Member Dozeman had confirmed that there are only two new FTEs in the 2025 Budget. She also asked if the outside organizations were aware of their reduction in contributions from the City. Ms. Scheck stated they have been informed. She asked for Council could address those contributions when the budget comes back to Council mid- year next year. Council Member Larson stated it is his first time going through the Budget process. He asked that the original allocation from ARPA of $7.9 million has been used and with the funding going away and in particular, there is no allocation for stormwater projects, he is concerned the budgeted amount is not enough to cover stormwater issues for 2025. Goff stated that once the funding is gone, the City will no longer be able to provide funding for the outside agencies. Goff stated that many were one-time grants which will not be funded in the future. Scheck stated that stormwater management is completely funded out of 2J Funds, and a stormwater management fee feasibility study will be presented to Council in the future for consideration. In answer to Larson’s question, Goff stated that a stormwater management fee would not need to be voted on by the residents. Council Member Snell asked about the City pursuing grants to help fund Homeless Navigation Program. Marianne Schilling stated that they did receive grant funds, and they have applied for another grant through DOLA. She stated she is hoping to come back to Council with a budget supplement for those grants. Council Member Ohms stated that there may be funds available if the parkland near Discover Park is sold. He also wanted to keep surface water issues on the table for budget discussions, along with traffic mitigation on 38th Avenue between Miller and Simms and along Dover St. Mayor Pro Tem Stites thanked staff for a great presentation and appreciated staff’s consideration of budget cuts. He asked to keep traffic on 38th Avenue between Miller and Simms a budget priority along with the purchase of school properties, in particular Kullerstrand Elementary. 5. Staff Report(s) City Manager Patrick Goff 6. Elected Officials’ Report(s) Council Members reported on various events they were involved with around the community. 7. Adjournment With no further business to come before Council, Mayor Starker adjourned the Study Session at 8:58 p.m. _________________________________ Margy Greer, Senior Deputy City Clerk ________________________________ Korey Stites, Mayor Pro Tem