2007-05-25 - Laserfiche WebLink

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To: Honorable Mayor Adams and City Council From: Julie Feier, City Manager Date: May 25, 2007 Subject: Weekly Update budget is After careful and substantial analysis and deliberation, the $1,979,905 deficit balanced. In order to preserve City services, and stabilize employment for all University City employees we were required to reduce ongoing operational expenses. Unfortunately, this includes a number of fee increases, service reductions and difficult personnel decisions. The goal was to make adjustments based on attrition as much as possible. In the end, seven positions will go unfilled via attrition and 12 positions eliminated as a part of a layoff. Layoffs began this week and will be concluded on Tuesday, May 29. It is always difficult to make the decision to eliminate jobs and lose valued employees because of budgetary concerns. Please be assured that we gave very careful consideration to these layoffs and did not take this decision lightly. In the end, however, a layoff was the only reasonable choice given our budgetary issues, and our desire to continue to provide a high level of service and a quality work environment, including competitive pay and benefits for our remaining employees. As follow up to our May 21 study session, I have included a Park and Recreation fee summary to solidify our discussion along with the revised budget summary sheets. A reminder of the Open House and Public Meeting to be held June 7 at the Heman Park Community Center, to offer interested citizens an opportunity to discuss ongoing flood River damage reduction planning efforts for that portion of the University City Branch of des Peres between Purdue Avenue and Olive Boulevard. The agenda includes indicates that from 6:00 PM to 6:50 PM citizens may view maps and talk with study team members about specific concerns. At 7:00 PM, the formal meeting will begin. U.S. Army Corp of Engineers and MSD representatives will present study results to date and answer questions from the audience. The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers is conducting the study in collaboration with the City and MSD. The Corp will report on flood risks, present a preliminary screening of potential flood reduction measures and solicit input from affected residents regarding which conceptual solutions examined in more detail.