2010-03-22 Regular City Council Agenda

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$46,000 so add in a little loading for benefits and figured that would come up to $180,000 a year by eliminating four dispatchers and add the $77,000 a year the City is paying North Central, which equates to a quarter of a million dollar swing in the City’s budget. He contended with a little creative thinking, some salesmanship and some smart negotiating, the City could be well on their way of joining East Central. The Mayor or City Manager would sit on this board. Mr. Pace said if the City doesn’t use critical thinking, he sees no choice but to get an outside state audit to look at the City. M. COUNCIL COMMENTS Mr. Wagner wanted to commend the youth and senior proposed programs. He said Mr. Price has done a wonderful job in advocating these programs. Mr. Wagner stated that Mr. Davoli has done extremely well and analyzed plans for helping both seniors and youth. He thought some of his ideas to form a 501C3 organization to assume some of the organization liability risks from the City were incisive and pertinent. Mr. Wagner said that approach will support these programs off budget for the City and will make possible public support through non-profit fund raising events. He stated the City should focus on all of these ideas and work to launch and encourage public support. Mr. Wagner thanked Ms. Ricci on her handout on Adoption of Financial Policy. The article was from the Government Finance Officers Association, GFOA, advising cities to formally adopt public documents describing financial planning policies, revenue policies and expenditure policies would help clarify U City’s financial procedures. Mr. Price asked the City Manager about the bill he asked to be introduced called the Parent Responsibility Law which addresses repeat offenders under parent’s jurisdiction. He requested the Chief of Police bring that law back at the next Council meeting. Secondly he would like the City Manager and Police Chief to look at repeat nuisance homes/individuals and would like the Chief to come back with a plan to target hot locations so they can be eradicated over time. When the police receive repeated calls, it is a waste of City money. Lastly, Mr. Sharpe and he had a meeting where they heard from a group of people who would like trash carts instead of dumpsters. Mr. Price asked the City Manager to re-survey the individuals for a broader mix. He also noted that from this meeting came the need to have more educational materials on the dos and don’ts because of people moving in and out of apartments. Mr. Price asked for a report from the Interim Planning Director as to exactly where the City is on Cunningham Park and how we can make it happen. He said that Councilwoman Irby asked Mr. Price to relate to the people flooded on Wilson that she planned on having a meeting on March 17 at 6:30 p.m. at the Laclede Gas Worker’s building. He said he would get the City Manager more information. Mr. Price said he was contacted by numerous organizations that are willing to help and partner with the City. He said he would give the City Manager those contacts. Mr. Price said the Urban League has expressed great interest and do a great youth program. He stated the City can co-partner with these organizations and in a year from now, we will be a beacon to the world. Ms. Ricci asked if the City’s auditor was able to provide model financial policies and asked if the City Manager or Financial Director would follow-up with him on it. She thanked Ms. Watson for the 09 and 10 GFOA applications and asked if there was one for 08. Ms. Watson stated there was none for 08 and will check to be sure what Ms. Ricci had was complete. Ms. Ricci spoke in reference to the passage of the fire dispatch contract, that was placed in the City Manager’s report and it was not clear it required a vote or the import of which was not properly communicated and felt Council should go back and revisit the issue. Ms. Ricci asked Ms. Feier to have a meeting with Mr. Pace and her. Ms. Ricci stated she went to the Economic Development Retail Sales Tax meeting and was presently surprised to learn that the $100,000 6