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Session 1695, Minutes
<br />May 12, 1997
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<br />I 0.16 FINANCIA~ AI')MINISTRATION:
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<br />Under 71 I. I 0 Regular Employee Pay, the City Manager is recommending an additional entry level accountant. The City
<br />had three accountants back in the eighties and now are down to one. The quality and quantity of the work being produced
<br />has suffered and this department requires another accountant. The Finance Department, in response to the Auditors, is
<br />now handling the IDA, SBD, LCRA and the TIF's - the formerly independent groups, which requires additional help to
<br />handle the extra work properly. Responding to Mr. Wagner, Mr. Ollendorffexplained that each department head had to
<br />submit to him a detailed travel budget, including the organization, purpose, and amounts involved. On page C- 19, under
<br />the last column, Estimated Requirements, $333,000 should read $33,000. The totals are correct. Under Capital Outlay,
<br />the computer that is listed is a new computer for the print shop, not a replacement.
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<br />I 0.17 MAINTENANCE OF CITY PROPERTY:
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<br />Under 71 I. I 0, Mr. Ollendorff pointed out that a retiring custodian would not be replaced. Workloads and schedules would
<br />be revised to divide the work among the remaining three full time custodians. It may be necessary to use temporary or part
<br />time employees, if necessary. Under 742.01 Building Improvements, the roofs of four buildings will be repaired. Room 6
<br />will get a new lighted dropped ceiling. The bathroom restoration includes restoring the old marble partitions. This next
<br />budget year, the City needs to look at the five story City Hall Fire Escape. The structure is very old and the paint is flaking
<br />and very possibly is lead based. The Finance Director is checking on whether or not grants, such as Community
<br />Development monies, are available to help fund the project. If the lead has to be captured, the project could cost $80,000
<br />- $90,000.
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<br />I 0.19 PUBUC RFI ATIONS:
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<br />Mr. Ollendorff said that there were no major changes to this budget. Mr. Munkel asked why there is a printing budget line
<br />item when the City has a print shop budget under Finance. Mr. Ollendorffsald that this printing budget was for the City
<br />Calendar, CityScape newspaper and some miscellaneous items, which are outsourced print jobs which our print shop can
<br />not handle in house. The Calendar will be printed with a four color process. Mr. Ollendorffsaid that the Summer Concert
<br />monies, $5,200, were budgeted under 72 I. I 0, Miscellaneous Outside Personal Services.
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<br />20. I 0 POLICE DEPARTMENT:
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<br />Personnel is the largest part of the police budget, close to five million dollars, which includes salaries and the fringe benefts of
<br />medical, hospital and workmen's comp. Travel expense is down, because staff is finished with the accreditation process.
<br />At the next regular Council meeting, approval will be asked to apply for a grant to get another police oEcer for tra~c patrol.
<br />Conversation ensued at this point regarding the temporary personnel portion of Personal Services. Mr. Wagner asked Mr.
<br />Ollendorff his policy on cell phone usage. Mr. Ollendorff explained the process to Mr. Wagner and said that he didn't know
<br />exactly who had cellular phones, but besides the police and fire vehicles, there were probably only about six more. An exact
<br />list would be prepared for the next budget study meeting Wednesday night. Mr. Ollendorffsaid that regulations were being
<br />written on cell phone usage, as well as computer/lnternet use. The Police added one more sergeant this year. The Police
<br />requested one full time cadet, in addition to the four part time student cadets, but it was not added into the budget. The
<br />Capital Outlay item, 743.02, Engineering and Scientific Equipment, seemed to be raising dramatically to Mr. Munkel. Mr.
<br />Ollendorff said that the Police requirements for this type of equipment have increased this year, but other items, such as
<br />Buildings, 742.01, have decreased. Mr. Wagner asked about the condition of the jail cells. Mr. Ollendorff responded that
<br />the jail cells were in good condition. Not in the budget, but which the Police Department would like to have maybe next
<br />year are a body microphone and video camera undercover system. The Police Department is gradually updating all the old
<br />radio equipment. The budget has money to replace a few of them, but not all. Mr. Munkel would like to see radio
<br />replacements receive a higher priority. He felt it was extremely important for our emergency services to have reliable
<br />communications.
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