Budget Workshop
NOTES
May 4, 2022
Council Comments, Requests, and Recommendations:
Community Development and Parks:
Council Members…
• Expressed desire for current grants to be utilized prior to expiration with consideration to service and supply constraints in mind.
• Requested a cost / benefit analysis regarding 3 part time vs 1 full time park staff (based on retention and cost issues)
• Requested a cost / benefit analysis for a woodchipper and associated on-going maintenance costs (with an annual maintenance agreement and shared equipment cost with other departments) vs current outsourcing approach to other agencies.
• Suggested a routine maintenance program for City owned facilities, including life expectancy/annual replacement fund allocations reflected in the budget for a more sustainable funding approach vs unexpected 1-time expenditures as they are identified.
• Recognized advantages of strategically placed Security Cameras in Parks and requested to review the line item with some financial flexibility.
• Requested Staff explore potential for internet towers on City owned facilities for revenue in line with small cell ordinance and technology/internet needs.
• Expressed positive interest in seed money for Recreation programs.
Finance & IT Department:
Council Members…
• Recognized demand for increased tech security to remain above minimum requirements for insurance compliance, and the associated budget challenges.
• Agreed OpenGov transparency advantageous to community and staff.
Police Department:
Council Members…
• Provided continued support for ClovReady and the importance to the community and identified increased School District participation.
• Requested continued efforts for a remodeled community outreach approach to address cultural and language barriers.
• Addressed County mutual-aid agreement contract concerns (double tax issues). • Identified Police Department structural issues and concerns and suggested façade updates utilizing an alternate façade maintenance line item.
• Identified the necessity to revisit and prioritize funding a new and modernized civic center to house Police, City Hall, and potentially chamber of commerce and identified the Time Square property agreement and table of funding options as a future closed session item.
Public Works:
Council Members…
• Identified liability concerns for street striping and suggested re-prioritizing importance from a safety perspective, and the intersection of Healdsurg Ave x Cloverdale needs to be included. • Suggested consistent speed deterrents City wide for public safety. • Addressed financial concerns regarding inadequate funding on the current annual striping and pavement maintenance line item and recommended to increase the amount from $100,000 to $200,000, and suggested researching potential alternate funding methods (i.e. Measure M) and desires a more strategic planning approach to better identify emergent issues vs long term needs, and better allocate appropriate funding.
Utilities:
Council Members…
• Recognized the water rate increase impact on the community, but supported the rate increases as a necessity to maintain and improve the infrastructure.