2013-05-13 Special/Study FY 14 budget

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MINUTES OF UNIVERSITY CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL/STUDY SESSION City Hall, second floor conference room 6801 Delmar Blvd Immediately after the adjournment of the Regular Council session May 13, 2013 A Special Session of the City Council of University City held in City Hall, fifth floor, May 13, 2013. Mayor Shelley Welsch called the meeting to order at 8:23 p.m. In addition to Mayor Welsch the following members of Council were present: Mr. Stephen Kraft Mr. Arthur Sharpe, Jr. Mr. Byron Price Ms. Paulette Carr Mr. Terry Crow Mr. Michael Glickert Also in attendance was City Manager Lehman Walker. Mr. Walker noted that for the past couple of years the Council has had study sessions from various departments for members of Council to weigh in with any additions or deletions to the proposed budget. He said the document he passed out to Council was essentially a summary of the larger budget document. Mr. Walker stated there was not anything new. He said Councilmember Carr suggested consolidation of all the Professional Services expenditures as well as any significant changes to the budget. He noted the purpose of the meeting was for Council to instruct him on proposed changes. Mr. Walker stated they have gone through the public process, had several public meetings on the budget in each ward, and had the legislatively required Public Hearing. He said what he has not received suggestions from the Council in terms of things they would like to see either added to the budget, deleted from the budget or any proposed changes. Mr. Walker said he had a discussion with Councilmember Price, who asked if the fire cadet program be reinstituted at a yearly cost of $25,000, which was done. He said he was looking for direction from Council for other areas they would like to see the City add, delete, or change so the City can proceed with producing the final budget document for Council’s consideration. Mr. Glickert asked about the present position of job allocation and resources, if some of the City Clerk’s responsibilities are being assisted by the City Manager’s Secretary. Mr. Walker noted that it is in transition because of difficulty in filing the position and hoped that it would be filled in the next month or so. He stated the plan has always been for the City Manager’s Secretary to work with the City Clerk and assist her. Mr. Glickert asked what the most significant change was from last year’s budget to this year's proposed budget. Mr. Walker said it would be in the area of Public Works and Parks in working with bringing- up the infrastructure to standard. He said overall, staff brought in a budget with a projected surplus and has been able to do that by hiring well-qualified staff members. Mr. Walker agreed with Mr. Wilson in that the City has taken a harder look at the numbers. He also said the consolidation of Public Works and Parks has saved money with respect to personnel cost. Mr. Walker stated that in 2008, all of the departments were directed to 1