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<br />Budget Study Session <br />May 11, 2005 <br /> <br />Ms. Welsch then asked about item 714.00 for overtime and whether hiring more officers <br />actually reduced overtime costs, and was advised that was true, but it could help <br />marginally, but dollar-wise the amount is only a few thousand dollars. <br /> <br />Mr. Sharpe asked if Washington University could meet with the City for the purpose “of <br />showing solidarity” instead of dealing with them by mail? The City Manager said he <br />would share information with the Council and when he meets with the University, he <br />would share the Council’s ideas with them. He suggested trying this first and letting <br /> <br />them know the Council would like to work with them as well. Mr. Wagner said if there is <br />a meeting, it needs to be “at the level of Steve Hoffner or someone above him, <br />someone who can do something.” Mr. Ollendorff said the policy is for people to deal <br />with their counterparts from the University, and he provided examples. <br /> <br />Mr. Wagner asked when the last meeting on police issues occurred and was advised it <br />was September or October 2004. The development issues were discussed face-to-face <br />about six weeks ago. Ms. Brot asked if Washington University has a contract with <br />Clayton for fire protection, and if they have to call University City also, is University City <br />paid, and she was advised there is a mutual-aid agreement with twenty other <br />departments in the area, and they mutually respond to each others calls on a pre- <br />arranged basis at no charge. Clayton and University City have a mutual-aid agreement <br />which is spelled-out specifically and exactly. He provided examples. Ms. Brot asked <br />about the Metro Link stations and the problems which could arise in the event of fire or <br />other disasters and the need for more protection at those locations. Is there a fund to <br />provide for this, or should the Council be setting money aside in anticipation? The City <br />Manager said this could be discussed in the revenue section of the budget and he will <br />suggest that the Council needs to increase revenue by adding a general operating sales <br />tax to next spring’s municipal election. In a year, more revenue will be needed. Choices <br />are limited: additional property taxes or additional one-quarter per cent sales tax, or <br />perhaps some other revenue sources to be determined. Mr. Ollendorff concluded by <br />saying he does not think there is any funding available to reinstate these three officers. <br />He added there will probably be less growth in the future and more cuts. <br /> <br />Ms. Brot reasserted her opinion that police and fire are needed, especially with an aging <br />population with increased need for ambulance calls. Some discussion on these points <br />ensued. <br /> <br />Ms. Colquitt commented about 728.09 as decreasing and suggested that if the money is <br />not used for this purpose, perhaps the funds could be used to pay a police officer’s <br />salary and suggested that it could be discussed in a Study Session. <br /> <br />Mr. Ollendorff addressed the audience and said that in respect of Washington University <br />and the police, they have contributed $60,000 to University City for police costs. The <br />University approached the City and said that students, faculty and staff all live in the <br />City as well as many who use the Loop, and said they needed more police protection <br />Page 3 <br /> <br />