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 <br /> Professional development increased by $640 due to attendance at national and state <br />events. <br /> <br /> Advertising/public notices increased by $1,850 due to increase in the number of bidding <br />projects and need to meet minority requirements. <br /> <br /> Staff training increased by $1,200 due to additional requirements for staff expertise. <br /> <br /> Office and computer equipment increases 100 percent due to upgrade. <br /> <br />SIGNIFICANT BUDGETARY ISSUES <br /> <br /> Aging infrastructure <br /> <br /> Upgrading of streets and sidewalks <br />Mr. Wilson stated that this past year the City became a part of MSD’s Phase II System, a five year <br />plan that requires the City to ensure that drainage systems, streams and the maintenance garage <br />are drained into a sanitary sewer. He stated that this year the City will be working on erosion <br />issues which entails a change in the ordinance, but in the future some physical changes may be <br />needed in order to maintain compliance with the code. <br /> <br />Mr. Carr asked if the erosion was in Ruth Park Woods. Mr. Wilson stated that while Ruth Park <br />would show up as a violation, it could be any development that disturbs more than an acre of <br />ground. <br /> <br />Mayor Welsch stated that it seems as though the trees have really been suffering after last year’s <br />drought and asked Mr. Wilson what his ideal staffing requirements would be for forestry? Mr. <br />Wilson stated that forestry has gone as far as it can with its current employees, so there would be <br />a need for additional staff in order to enhance their efforts. He will provide Mayor Welsch with his <br />“ideal” staffing and equipment plan. <br /> <br />Performance Summary <br />Mr. Wilson stated that his department spent 3 million dollars for the improvements listed in his <br />study session handout. <br /> <br />Ms. Carr asked about the Ferguson Avenue bridge delays. Mr. Wilson said he would provide <br />Council with an update. <br /> <br />Performance Measurements <br />Mr. Wilson stated that most of the increases for the items highlighted on page 109 were due to <br />the transfer of expenditures to individual departments. <br /> <br />STREETS, PARKS & FORESTRY MAINTENANCE <br /> <br /> The budget for streets has increased by 8 percent. <br /> <br /> The budget for Parks and Forestry has decreased by 1 percent. <br />Mr. Wilson stated that the main reason for this increase is that last year there was big discussion <br />about the capital improvement program and as a result maintenance contracts have been <br />included in the budget under streets rather than capital improvements. <br /> <br />Mr. Glickert asked Mr. Wilson if he had found or secured another area for the compost in Ruth <br />Park Woods. Mr. Wilson stated that he has not found another place, although it is not a top <br />priority. He noted it is something that Clayton and University City need to be talking more about. <br />Mr. Glickert stated that he had talked to a couple of restaurant owners on Olive who complained <br />about the odor coming from the compost that is preventing them from having outdoor seating. Mr. <br />Wilson stated that he knows that the pollution and odor that is being created at both Ruth and <br />Heman Parks is important enough that it needs to be addressed. <br /> <br />Goals – Streets <br /> <br />