MINUTES OF
SPECIAL MEETING
May 30, 2023
CALL TO ORDER - PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Nagy called the meeting to order at 5:32 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Council Members: Giles - Marsigli – Bonta – Mayor Pro Tem Ford - Mayor Nagy Staff present: City Manager Anna Nicholas, Public Works Supervisor Dennis Castro, Recreation Manager Tiffany Vitorino, Fire Chief Patrick Borrelli, Finance Director Jenny Morrison, Economic & Community Development Director Jami Westervelt, Administrative Assistant Desirae Porras, and Administrative Services Director Melanie Correa
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Council member Bonta made a motion to approve the agenda.
The motion was seconded by Council member Marsigli and carried 5-0.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENDA
1. WORKSHOP: FY 23-24 Budget Discussion
1. Receive staff introduction and presentation
2. Receive public comment
3. Hold discussion
City Manager Nicholas advised the proposed budget is based on estimates and may change. She thanked Finance Director Morrison for stepping into the vacant position and taking over the budget process. She also thanked the executive team for assisting with the budget proposal. She advised City staff was able to incorporate the muchneeded expenses that will help City departments and the community.
Finance Director Morrison presented the staff report and presentation.
Council member Bonta inquired why the water fund was not included in the split for the message board, to which City Manager Nicholas advised she believes it is but stated she would double check.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired additional details on the budgeted expenses, to which Finance Director Morrison advised there are notes listed throughout the proposed budget and also advised if there are additional questions to please feel free to ask.
There was a brief discussion in regards to obtaining a rate study.
Mayor Nagy inquired if the PERS expense includes the payments toward the Pension Obligation Expense Bonds, to which Finance Director Morrison replied the bond payments was listed elsewhere, those amounts were just actual current PERS based on payroll.
Council member Marsigli inquired clarification on Tyler Technologies, to which Finance Director Morrison advised it is the software the City uses for budgeting, finance, and personnel.
Council member Marsigli inquired what is included in the planning revenue, to which Finance Director Morrison advised it is permits.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired on the Special Services Police revenue, to which Finance Director Morrison advised it includes animal control, dog licenses and grant funds.
Council member Bonta inquired where the funding comes from for the Recreation department, to which Finance Director Morrison advised the City supplements the Recreation Department from the UUT fund.
City Manager Nicholas reminded Council that UUT funds are not transferred until the end of the year, after the true-up process.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired on the Saputo fine, to which Public Works Supervisor Castro advised it was due to their being over biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) thresholds.
Council member Marsigli inquired if the storm drain account is always in a deficit, to which Finance Director Morrison advised the account has been in a deficit for a few years.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired where the Airport revenue comes from, to which City Manager Nicholas advised revenue is received from fuel sales and hangar rentals.
Council member Marsigli inquired if gas taxes are increasing or decreasing, to which City Manager Nicholas advised gas taxes are decreasing.
City Manager Nicholas updated Council on the tree trimming fund and stated that the City is continuing the fund for emergency tree trimming needs.
Council member Marsigli inquired what gas taxes can be used towards, to which City Manager Nicholas advised they can be used for street maintenance, street sweeping, signage, construction, etc.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired what the equipment replacement line item is for, to which Finance Director Morrison advised it is for routine replacement of laptops and desktops.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired if the City budgeted for two Police department vehicles last year, to which City Manager Nicholas advised the grant for the vehicles is on hold pending stock availability and informed Council that Police Chief Chavez has asked to use the grant for Dodge Chargers instead of Hybrid vehicles.
Council member Bonta inquired on the length of the City’s long-term debt, to which Finance Director Morrison presented an overview of the loans and the length of each loan.
There was further discussion in regards to the Vierra loan.
City Manager Nicholas provided a brief overview of the American Rescue Plan project list.
Council member Bonta inquired on the Pioneer Park grant, to which Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt advised the City is hoping to get the Congressional directed spending requests to assist with the funding shortage.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford questioned why a Supervising Accountant is listed as the first priority on future requests, to which Finance Director Morrison advised of the need within the Finance Department.
Council member Marsigli inquired if the Public Works Director position was included in the budget, to which City Manager Nicholas affirmed.
There was no public comment.
Council member Marsigli inquired on the City’s tax revenue once Family Dollar opens, to which City Manager Nicholas provided information on the prospect of hiring a consultant to forecast sales tax revenue.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired how a consultant generates revenue, to which City Manager Nicholas advised the consultant would provide data for the City to better forecast revenues.
There was a brief discussion in regards to the importance of having a strategic plan.
Council member Marsigli inquired on the Recreation fund, to which City Manager Nicholas advised it includes insurance and salaries.
There was further discussion in regards to Recreation events.
City Manager Nicholas provided details on the fund balance report.
Mayor Nagy inquired on the percentage of funds that go into the Measure V Alternate funds account, to which City Manager Nicholas advised the City needs to start utilizing Measure V Local funds.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired if the City Engineers are working on a priority maintenance list for City roads, to which City Manager Nicholas advised she is meeting with Gouveia next week and will inquire.
There was a brief discussion in regards to the General Fund Reserve.
City Manager Nicholas advised Council look to set the General Fund Reserve percentage.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired where the balance is located, to which City Manager Nicholas advised it is in Fund 38.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford also inquired if the City is actually setting aside 20% of the General Fund Budget, to which City Manager Nicholas advised the City takes the total estimated expenditures for that fiscal year and makes sure there is 20% set aside.
Mayor Nagy inquired on the Farmers Market budget, to which Recreation Manager Vitorino advised the account descriptions are being cleaned up and informed Council that line item is for Recreation events.
Council member Marsigli inquired on the “other” unnamed accounts, to which Finance Director Morrison provided information on expenditures within Other Contract Services and Other Professional Contracts.
Council member Marsigli also inquired on the missing account descriptions, to which City Manager Nicholas advised that is how the Chart of Accounts are set up in Tyler.
Mayor Nagy inquired on the Fiscal Year 23/24 capital projects, to which Finance Director Morrison advised capital projects are not included.
Mayor Nagy inquired on raising the franchise tax fees when companies raise their rates, to which City Manager Nicholas advised the City needs to research the franchise fees that the City receives.
Council member Marsigli inquired if the City will get franchise fees from the new fiber rollouts, to which City Manager Nicholas advised the City should receive franchise fees.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired on the City’s regular tree trimming account, to which City Manager Nicholas advised that the amount in the fund is just a placeholder until the City can get the request for proposals sent out.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Nagy adjourned the meeting at 6:59 P.M.