CC Minutes - 12/09/02 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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IV. PUBLIC HEARING AND ACTION: Resolution 4745 Adopting a Supplemental Budget; Making Appropriations for the City of Eugene for the Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2002 and Ending June 30, 2003 Mayor Torrey opened the public hearing. Seeing no one wishing to speak, he closed the hearing and called for questions/comments from the council. In response to a question from Councilor Rayor regarding grants that were not listed in the spreadsheets for the supplemental budget, City Manager pro tem Jim Carlson confirmed the funds were earmarked for wetlands acquisition. Councilor Bettman said the supplemental budget did not clearly call out the different categories of expenditures. She noted that there was a $60,000 expenditure for training in the Permit and Information Center (PIC) for certification of inspectors, which would mean the PIC would increase its budget for the year. She noted that she believed there had been a commitment to not add any new services and stressed that this allocation was made outside of any other kind of prioritization process and therefore she would oppose the entire supplemental budget. In response to a question from Councilor Pap6 regarding funds allocated to the Santa Clara Fire Station land purchase, City Manager Carlson said there had been a motion made to only allocate $400,000 from the River Road/Santa Clara Residual Assessment Fund and the remainder was to come from the Facility Reserve Fund. He said this allowed the retention of $155,000 to start implementing the construction of River Road/Santa Clara Fire Station. In response to a question from Councilor Kelly regarding the allocation to the PIC, Mr. Coyle said a management decision was made to cross-train staff to inspect electrical work in addition to its other inspections. He noted that such a certification was needed to perform certain inspections in the State of Oregon. He said cross-training would allow for flexibility of resources and allow employees to make on-site decisions, thereby creating efficiencies in job site inspections. In response to a question from Councilor Kelly regarding whether any of the funding could be used to restore the reception desk at the PIC to full-time, Mr. Coyle said if the council desired to assume that management prerogative, it could do so. He said the staff proposal was a more effective way to use the funds. Councilor Kelly asked staff to prepare an amendment to use a portion of the money being allocated for cross- training to be used to restore the reception position at the PIC. Councilor Bettman noted the complexity of the supplemental budget and expressed her frustration with trying to understand where new services are being added with this particular format. She encouraged staff to come with a document summary that could be more readily understood by the council. In response to a question from Councilor Kelly regarding a $300,000 one-time transfer for vehicle maintenance, City Manager Carlson said it was going to be used instead of the fee increase for the FY04 budget because executive managers were uncomfortable with the current increase and wanted to take the time to analyze the fleet system before implementing higher fees. He said using one-time funding would allow time for a comprehensive resolution to the problem. MINUTES--Eugene City Council December 9, 2002 Page 5 Regular Meeting