City Council Meeting Minutes - 4/19/2010
COMMON COUNCIL
APRIL 19, 2010 7:00 P.M.
THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE WAS GIVEN BY EVERYONE IN ATTENDANCE.
PRAYER WAS GIVEN BY PASTOR JOE JOPLIN, THE HOUSE.
MAYOR SMALL OPENED THE MEETING OF THE COMMON COUNCIL.
ROLL CALL:
SANDY YORK PRESENT
ANGIE GOODMAN PRESENT
JAMES KIDD ABSENT
MARY MALONE PRESENT
MARK KOGER PRESENT
VAUGHN REID PRESENT
RICHARD HAHN PRESENT
MAYOR SMALL WELCOMED TEACHER MRS. COPENHAVER AND A 5TH GRADE CLASS FROM WILBUR WRIGHT SCHOOL WHO ARE STUDYING GOVERNMENT.
MINUTES WERE APPROVED AS PRESENTED.
PRESIDENT YORK MOVED TO PASS THIS RESOLUTION. COUNCILMAN HAHN: SECOND
ROLL CALL VOTE: SIX VOTES AYE. PASSED AND ORDERED.
COUNCILMAN REID MADE THE MOTION TO PASS THIS RESOLUTION. COUNCILADY GOODMAN: SECOND
DISCUSSION: COUNCILMAN REID ASKED WHEN THE CITY BIDS, THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT GOES BEFORE THE COUNCIL.
ATTORNEY COPENHAVER SAID THAT WAS RIGHT. THERE IS A PROVISION UNDER THE CODE THAT ALLOWS FOR A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. WHAT THAT DOES, YOU STILL ADVERTISE, HAVE BID SPECS, BUT GIVES YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH DIFFERENT SUPPLIERS AND DISCUSS WITH THEM CERTAIN ISSUES THAT MIGHT BE UNIQUE TO THIS SITUATION. THIS IS A SERVICE THAT WE ARE SEEKING OUT BIDS FOR. WE MIGHT BE WELL ADVISED TO MEET AND TALK WITH THEM ABOUT THEIR BID PACKAGES. TO REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS, YOU HAVE TO HAVE LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL.
COUNCILMAN REID ASKED WHAT THE DIFFERENCE WAS BETWEEN A PROPOSAL AND A BID.
ATTORNEY COPENHAVER SAID THE PRIMARY DIFFERENCE FOR THIS CASE WOULD BE TO CONFER WITH PEOPLE BEFORE YOU AWARD THE BID ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS.
COUNCILMAN REID SAID, THIS DOESN'T FORCE THE CITY TO OUT SOURCE.
ATTORNEY COPENHAVER SAID NO. IT ENCOURAGES THE SEWER PLANT TO SUBMIT A BID OR PROPOSAL. HE SAID HE MADE THE RESOLUTION AS GENERAL AS HE COULD, TO GIVE LATITUDE. THIS WAS THE BEST WAY TO EVALUATE THE PACKAGES.
COUNCILMAN REID ASKED ABOUT THE TRASH SHEET THAT WAS HANDED OUT BEFORE THE MEETING. HE SAID THIS GOES BACK TO COMMITTEE MEETINGS WITH THE MAYOR AND THE TRASH SUPERVISOR. IF WE LOOK AT THE AUTOMATED COLLECTION, IT SHOWS 2 DRIVERS FOR ROUTES AND 1 FOR BALK PICKUP, 2 HELPERS AND A FOREMAN. HE ASKED ABOUT VACATIONS AND PEOPLE OFF SICK. WHAT HAPPENS TO THE STAFFING PATTERN?
WASTEWATER SUPERINTENDENT HAMILTON SAID WITH THIS PARTICULAR LEVEL, PICKING UP THE THIRD AUTOMATED TRUCK, AS IT IS PRESENTLY SET UP, WE UTILIZE OTHER EMPLOYEES WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT TO COVER SICK AND VACATION TIME. HOPING IN PICKING UP THE THIRD AUTOMATED TRUCK, THE LIGHTNING TRUCK WOULD CUT DOWN ON THAT SITUATION BUT YOU ARE STILL GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE THE 3 SANITATION DRIVERS RUNNING THOSE TRUCKS PLUS THE RETRO ROUTES WHICH THE AUTOMATED TRUCKS CANNOT. BASICALLY, AS IT IS, WE HAVE 1 OFF ON SICK LEAVE AND WE DO HAVE TO COVER SICK AND VACATION. HE PULLS FROM THE DEPARTMENT TO SUBSIDIZE.
COUNCILMAN REID ASKED HOW THAT EFFECTED THE DEPARTMENT WHEN THAT HAPPENS.
SUPT. HAMILTON SAID IF WE ARE REPLACING IT IS OK FOR THE SANITATION DEPARTMENT BUT MAKES THE WASTEWATER A LITTLE WEAK.
COUNCILMAN REID ASKED IF THE CITY CONTINUES TO PROVIDE TRASH SERVICE
INTERNALLY, WE ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE CURB SIDE RECYCLING. IS THAT CORRECT? IF THE CITY OUT SOURCES, WE MORE THAN LIKELY WILL HAVE CURB SIDE RECYCLING. HE ASKED IF WE CAN OUT SOURCE AND THROUGH ATTRITION, DO YOU THINK WE CAN WITHOUT LAYING ANYBODY OFF?
SUPT. HAMILTON SAID NOT HAVING ANY CONTROL; WE DO HAVE 2 PEOPLE THAT ARE RETIRING IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS. SOME LAID OFFS COULD BE OBSERVED BACK INTO THE WORK FORCE.
COUNCILMAN REID ASKED HOW SOON THE CITY COULD BE COMPETITIVE WITH A PRIVATE OUT SOURCE.
SUPT. HAMILTON SAID WE ARE PURCHASING NEW EQUIPMENT TO BE MORE EFFICIENT. WE HAVE TO PAY FOR THAT EQUIPMENT. WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE AS COMPETITIVE AS THESE COMPANIES THAT ALREADY OWN THEIR EQUIPMENT. TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OVER RATES WE ARE NOT A PROFIT MAKING WHICH THEY ARE. THESE COMPANIES THAT BID, WILL COME IN WITH A BID AS LOW AS THEY CAN AND THEN THEY WILL HAVE AN ESTIMATING CLAUSE IN THEIR CONTRACT. CONNERSVILLE LOOKED AT PRIVATIZING OR KEEPING IT IN HOUSE. LONG TERM IT WAS BETTER TO KEEP IT IN HOUSE SO THEY COULD HAVE MORE CONTROL. YOU WOULD LOOK AT $3-$6 RESIDENT MORE THAN YOU WOULD PRIVATIZING. THEN THERE IS NO CURB SIDE PICK UP. THEY COULD OFFER IT BECAUSE THEY OWN THEIR OWN LANDFILLS. WE DON'T HAVE THAT. THOSE ARE ISSUES YOU'LL HAVE TO LOOK AT. HE SAID HE LIKED THE PROPOSAL INSTEAD OF A BID BECAUSE THEY CAN TALK TO THE PEOPLE WITH THE PROPOSAL AND SEE WHAT WOULD BE BEST FOR THE CITY.
COUNCILMAN REID SAID SO YOU'RE SAYING IN 5 TO 8 YEARS WE COULD BE COMPETITIVE, BUT STILL WOULDN'T HAVE CURB SIDE RECYCLING. HE ASKED ATTORNEY COPENHAVER, IF WE PASS THIS RESOLUTION TONIGHT, BEFORE THE CITY WOULD ACTUALLY OUT SOURCE, WOULD THAT HAVE TO COME AS A MOTION AGAIN?
ATTORNEY COPENHAVER SAID IF OR IF NOT THE PASSAGE OF THIS RESOLUTION,
IT HAS NO BEARING ON THAT. TECHNICALLY, THE CITY COULD OUT SOURCE,
REALISTICALLY, IT WOULDN'T DO THAT BECAUSE YOU WOULD HAVE TO IMPOSE A FEE AND THAT WOULD BE BY COUNCIL. YOU WOULD HAVE TO KNOW WHAT WOULD BE BEST FOR THE COMMUNITY. IT WOULD TAKE COUNCIL VOTE FOR A FEE. THE LEGISLATIVE BODY CAN OUT SOURCE SOMETHING, YES AS LONG IT IS WITHIN THE BUDGET. IN THIS CASE, HE DIDN'T SEE THAT HAPPENING.
COUNCILMAN REID ASKED MAYOR SMALL, IN THE PAST, WHEN UNPOPULAR DECISIONS HAD TO BE MADE, THE BLAME WAS PUT ON THE COUNCIL AND WE DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE DECISION. ARE YOU WILLING, PUBLICALLY, TO AGREE THAT IT IS IN THE TAXPAYERS BEST INTEREST, TO SHOP AROUND FOR PRIVATE BIDS FOR TRASH PICKUP?
MAYOR SMALL SAID DEFIANTLY. WE ALSO HAVE IN THERE HOW MUCH IT WILL COST US TO DO IT. HE SAID BY HIS SIGNATURE ON THIS RESOLUTION, IT FACT, ENDORSING IT.
ATTORNEY COPENHAVER SAID THIS RESOLUTION IS NOT, TIE ANYONE'S OR SUGGEST ANYONE'S INTENT ON HOW THEY MIGHT VOTE. ALL THIS RESOLUTION DOES IS AUTHORIZE THE CITY TO PROCEED TO COLLECT BIDS AND PROPOSALS.
COUNCILMAN REID ASKED IF THOSE PROPOSALS WILL BE SHARED WITH THE COUNCIL.
ATTORNEY COPENHAVER SAID THEY ARE PUBLIC RECORD.
COUNCILMAN REID ASKED MAYOR SMALL, IF WE COME TO THE POINT TO WHERE WE ARE GOING TO OUT SOURCE TRASH, WHAT IS THE FEASIBILITY WOULD BE IN DOING IT IN A WAY THAT WOULD RESULT IN A ZERO LAY OFF?
MAYOR SMALL SAID WE KNOW OF 4 POSITIONS THAT ARE GOING TO BE OPENED RIGHT NOW. THERE WILL ONLY BE ONE LEFT, THE FOREMAN. IT WILL INVOLVE 5 PEOPLE.
COUNCILMAN REID ASKED IF THERE WASN'T A SPOT OPEN, WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO ABSORB THEM INTO A DEPARTMENT WHERE YOU ARE SHORT HANDED. SUCH AS THE STREET OR CEMETERY?
MAYOR SMALL SAID THE STREET, WE PROBABLY COULD. NOT THE CEMETERY OR PARKS.
ATTORNEY COPENHAVER SAID YOU WOULD HAVE TO FOLLOW THE CONTRACT.
MAYOR SMALL SAID FOR THE RECORD, THIS VOTE ON THE RESOLUTION, WAS NOT INITIATED BY THE CITY COUNCIL. IT CAME FROM THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH AS REQUIRED BY INDIANA CODE. THE BUCK STARTS HERE.
COUNCILMAN REID SAID WE HAVE TO KNOW HOW WE ARE GOING TO COMPETE WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR. WE HAVE A JOB TO GET THE BEST DEAL AND THE BEST SERVICE FOR THE CITIZENS. IF WE CAN OUT SOURCE WITHOUT LYING OFF, AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR IS CHEAPER AND END UP WITH CURB SIDE RECYCLING, THAT WOULD BE A WIN-WIN FOR EVERYBODY. WE NEED TO PROCEED AT LOOKING AT COSTS AND HE HOPED THE REST OF THE COUNCIL WOULD AGREE WITH HIM.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION:
KELLY McCASLIN ASKED IF THEY WOULD ONLY BE TAKING PROPOSALS. THEN THE LOWEST BID.
ATTORNEY COPENHAVER SAID THIS RESOLUTION JUST DIRECTS THE BOARD OF WORKS TO HUNT AND SEEK PROPOSALS OR BIDS FOR TRASH PICK UP. TO IMPOSE A FEE, COUNCIL HAS TO APPROVE. NO FEE HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED YET. THERE IS NO DECISION YET HOW TO PAY FOR THE SERVICE. THE ONLY WAY THAT CAN BE DONE IS IF COUNCIL PASSES AN ORDINANCE TO PAY FOR IT. ALL THIS RESOLUTION DOES IS TO COLLECT INFORMATION ON WHAT THE SERVICE WILL COST.
COUNCILMAN REID SAID HE THOUGHT HE KNEW WHAT MR. McCASLIN WAS ASKING. ARE YOU ASKING IF THE MAYOR CAN OUT SOURCE WITHOUT THE COUNCIL'S APPROVAL? THE CITY CAN'T IMPOSE A FEE FOR IN HOUSE SERVICE OR THIRD PARTY TO PROVIDE THAT WITHOUT THE COUNCIL PASSING AN ORDINANCE. THE ORDINANCE WOULD INCLUDE A PUBLIC HEARING. THAT IS NOT WHAT THIS RESOLUTION DOES. YOU CAN COMPARE AS IF YOU WERE GOING TO WAL-MART, TARGET OR MEIJERS AND SEE WHO HAS THE BEST DEAL
INCLUDING OUR OWN IN HOUSE DEPARTMENT TO SEE WHO CAN PROVIDE THE TAX PAYER WITH THE BEST DEAL.
NORMA DISHMAN, SAID IF WE KEPT WHAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW, WE MIGHT HAVE TO GET A THIRD TRUCK, A LIGHTNING TRUCK. IN 5 TO 8 YEARS, WON'T YOU NEED NEW TRUCKS?
SUPT. HAMILTON SAID IF THEY HAVE GOOD MAINTENANCE IT COULD BE 15 TO 20 YEARS. LIKE OUR OLD PACKERS, THE CITY HAS OWNED THEM FOR 25 TO 30 YEARS. AFTER YOU HAVE THE TRUCKS PAID FOR IN 5 TO 6 YEARS, YOU BUILD A RESERVE. AFTER THE SEVENTH YEAR, PURCHASE ANOTHER ONE AS ABACK UP.
MRS. DISHMAN ASKED IF YOU WOULD OUT SOURCE TODAY, HOW WOULD YOU PAY FOR THE TRUCKS?
MAYOR SMALL SAID THEY WOULD PURCHASE THE TRUCKS AND THE TOTERS.
COUNCILMAN REID SAID IF THEY DON'T WE CAN LET THEM GO BACK.
ATTORNEY COPENHAVER SAID THAT IS ONE REASON FOR THE PROPOSAL SO THAT THESE CAN BE DISCUSSED. THIS WOULD BE A COMPLICATED ISSUE AND WE MUST SEE HOW IS WOULD BE BEST ACHIEVED.
COUNCILMAN REID SAID HE ASSUMED WE WOULD GO THE ROUTE THAT WOULD SAVE THE CITY THE MOST MONEY.
MAYOR SMALL SAID AS OF TODAY, WE HAVE NOT SPENT ONE PENNY. OUR FIST PAYMENT WILL BE DUE IN AUGUST IN THE AMOUNT OF $179,000.00. WE HAVE HAD A FREE RIDE ALL THIS PERIOD. IF WE MAKE THAT PAYMENT, WE CAN GIVE THE TRUCKS BACK. THERE IS ABOUT $500,000.00 IN THE TOTERS.
ATTORNEY COPENHAVER SAID TO MRS. DISHMAN THAT IF YOU WERE GOING TO TURN THE TRUCKS BACK IN, YOU WOULD HAVE TO MAKE THE FIRST PAYMENT.
COUNCILMAN REID ASKED WITH THE STANDARD BID PROPOSAL, WHICH THE BOARD OF WORKS COULD GO TO WITHOUT THIS RESOLUTION, WHAT WE CAN SAY IS WHAT WILL YOU CHARGE US FOR X, Y, AND Z. WE GET A SEALED BID, OPEN IT AND SAY EITHER AYE OR NAY. WITH THIS RESOLUTION, IT GIVES US THE ABILITY TO ENTER INTO NEGOTIATIONS.
PRESIDENT YORK ASKED IF THE RESOLUTION WAS PASSED, WE ARE NOT BOUND BY BID PROCESS, IS THAT CORRECT? WE COULD REJECT EVERYTHING.
ATTORNEY COPENHAVER SAID YES. THIS JUST GIVES US THE AUTHORITY TO PROCEED.
ROLL CALL VOTE: TWO AYES%u2026..FOUR NAYS (YORK,MALONE,KOGER,HAHN) DEFEATED.
MAYOR SMALL SAID THIS WILL NOW LIMIT US TO DOING IT OUT OF THE CITY'S RESOURCES. IT IS GOING TO REQUIRE A FEE. WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY IN THE GENERAL FUND TO DO THAT. HE SAID THE NEXT THING TO COME WILL BE AN ORDINANCE FOR THE FEE.
ATTORNEY COPENHAVER SAID WE CAN STILL GO OUT FOR BIDS. IT WOULD JUST BE STRAIGHT BIDS. HE SAID HE WASN'T SURE WHAT THE COUNCIL WAS TELLING THEM ABOUT THIS VOTE. IF IT IS COUNCIL'S WISHES THAT WE NOT SUBMIT BIDS, COUNCIL DOES NOT WANT THIS OUT SOURCED, IT WOULD BE A WASTE OF TIME AND EFFORT AND MONEY TO PUBLISH FOR BIDS. IF COUNCIL DOESN'T WANT US TO ASK FOR PROPOSALS, THEN WE COULD STILL SUBMIT BIDS. THAT IS THE ISSUE.
COUNCILMAN REID SAID HERE IS WHERE HE STANDS ON TRASH. HE SAID WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE LONG TERM BEST INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN THIS COMMUNITY. WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO CHARGE A FEE. WE ARE TOO SMALL. WE CAN'T GO BACK AND PICK UP LIKE WE WERE DUE TO THE MONEY SITUATION. HE SAID HE THOUGHT THAT SOME OF THE COUNCIL DISAGREED. THIS TOWN IS BEHIND THE TIMES BY NOT OFFERING CURBSIDE RECYCLING. THERE IS ALSO THE QUESTION WITH THE MANAGEMENT OF THE AUTOMATED TRASH PICK UP. UNTIL THE DEPARTMENT HEAD CHANGED, WE WERE PAYING SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF OVERTIME. SO IT IS HIT OR MISS IF WE ARE GOING TO HAVE AN EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT TRASH PICK UP. HE THOUGHT IT WAS IN THE BEST INTEREST FOR THE CITY TO LOOK OUT SOURCING. WE ARE GOING TO GET MORE SERVICES AT A CHEAPER COST RATHER THAN DO IT IN HOUSE. IT IS TIME FOR THE CITY TO GET OUT OF THE BUSINESS OF PICKING UP TRASH.
MAYOR SMALL SAID THE SPREAD SHEET THAT WAS GIVEN WAS A VERY CONSERVATIVE ESTIMATE. BY ESTIMATE, IT WILL COST THE CITY $13.80 A MONTH, EACH RESIDENT. THIS IS FOR TRASH COLLECTION THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE RECYCLING. YORKTOWN HAS EVERYTHING. TRASH COLLECTION, RECYCLING, LEAF COLLECTION AND PAYING $12.00. ANDERSON HAS THE SAME SERVICE AT $10.75. LARGE COMMUNITY. WE WOULD BE SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN.
COUNCILMAN HAHN SAID HE WANTED TO TELL YOU THAT THE FOUR COUNCIL PERSONS THAT VOTED NAY DID NOT MOVE THE CITY BACKWARDS. WE WILL CONTINUE FORWARD. AS YOU KNOW TONIGHT, THERE ARE FOUR OF US THAT VOTED NAY BECAUSE WE ARE CONCERNED BUT NOT THE WAY YOU ARE. YOU HAVE YOUR OPINION AND WE HAVE OURS. WE CARE BUT WE ARE LOOKING AT OTHER AVENUES TO GO ABOUT THIS. IF YOU PRIVATIZE EVERYTHING, HAVE ALL THE USER FEES, THE TAX PAYERS WANT TO KNOW WHEN IT IS GOING TO STOP. IF THERE IS NO OTHER WAY TO GET AROUND IT, HE WAS ALL FOR REDUCING AND HELP THE TAX PAYERS AND CITY. HE SAID HE FELT AT THIS TIME, WE TOOK A VOTE AND THE VOTE SPOKE FOR ITSELF. HE FELT THEY SHOULD ALL GET TOGETHER AND TRY TO COME UP WITH BETTER IDEAS. HE SAID IT WAS AT A DEAD END AT THIS POINT. HE FELT THAT THIS HAD NO MERIT.
COUNCILMAN REID SAID HE UNDERSTOOD WHAT WAS BEING SAID BUT HE SAID IT DOES HAVE MERIT. NOT LOOKING AT THIS, WE ARE DENYING THE CITIZENS OF THE COMMUNITY CURBSIDE RECYCLING AND ARE FORCING THEM TO PAY BETWEEN 2 AND 4 DOLLARS A MONTH MORE FOR TRASH THAN WHAT THEY WOULD DO OTHERWISE. THAT IS NOT LOOKING OUT FOR THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CITIZENS.
PRESIDENT YORK SAID THAT IS YOUR OPINION, VAUGHN.
COUNCILMAN REID SAID IT IS NOT MY OPINION, WE HAVE SEEN THE ESTIMATES.
COUNCILMAN KOGER SAID, SPEAKING FOR HIMSELF, HE WAS NOT AGAINST THIS RESOLUTION BY GOING OUT AND SEEKING PROPOSALS. WHAT HE WANTED TO HEAR FROM THE ADMINISTRATION, IT IS TIME THE COUNCIL KNOWS WHAT YOUR PLAN IS. WE WANT TO KNOW WHAT YOUR PLAN IS FOR THE NEXT YEAR AND A HALF, ON OTHER DEPARTMENTS BESIDES THIS. THIS IS NOT GOING TO SAVE THE CITY OF NEW CASTLE. THIS $13 OR $15 USER FEE, OR WHAT EVER THE COUNCIL DECIDES ON IS NOT GOING TO SAVE THE CITY. AS MUCH AS THIS ADMINISTRATION WANTS YOU TO THINK THAT, IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. HE SAID HE WANTED TO KNOW WHERE THIS ADMINISTRATION IS GOING TO CUT IN THE NEXT YEAR AND A HALF.
COUNCILADY GOODMAN SAID WE HAVE TO CHARGE A USER FEE. SHE SAID THE ONLY CUTS THAT CAN BE MADE IS IN THE EMERGENCY SERVICES AND INSURANCE.
COUNCILMAN REID SAID HE WAS GOING TO AGREE. HE WANTS TO KNOW WHAT THE PLANS ARE FOR THE NEXT YEAR AND A HALF. HE SAID HE KNEW THAT PART OF THE SOLUTION, NO MAGIC BULLET THAT NEW CASTLE CAN SHOOT ITSELF WITH THAT IS GOING TO FIX ARE FINANCIAL ISSUES. THESE ISSUES HAVE BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER A DECADE BUT NO ONE CHOSE TO ADDRESS THEM. WHAT IS GOING TO FIX THE PROBLEM, THE USER FEE AND WE OWE IT TO THE CITIZENS TO PROVIDE THE BEST SERVICE AT THE CHEAPEST PRICE AND THE WAY TO LOOK AT THAT IS TO LOOK AT SEE WHAT IS AVAILABLE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR. IN ADDITION, THE CITY IS GOING TO HAVE TO CUT INSURANCE AND MORE THAN LIKELY CUTS TO THE EMERGENCY SERVICES. HE FELT THE STAFFING IN THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS AND ADD SOME NON-PAID RESOURCES TO OFF SET CUTS. WE ARE NOW IN THE THIRD YEAR OF THE ADMINISTRATION AND THERE ARE NO PLANS TO OFF SET THOSE. HE DIDN'T KNOW HOW THE MAYOR WAS GOING TO MAKE IT THROUGH AND MAKE A BUDGET THAT WILL DEAL WITH THE REALITY OF THE PROPERTY TAX CAPS. WE HAVE NO RESERVE OPPONENTS TO OFF SET THE LOSE OF SERVICES.
MAYOR SMALL SAID IN REGARDS TO THE MAYOR'S BUDGET FOR NEXT YEAR, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT OUR BUDGET IS GOING TO BE FOR THIS YEAR. WE HAVE SUBMITTED ONE WHICH WAS APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF LOCAL FINANCE; HOWEVER, WE TOOK A SECOND LOOK AND DID A REVISED BUDGET. LATE SUMMER OR EARLY FALL, THAT WILL GET IT THROUGH. WE HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING HOW MANY OF THE ONE MILLION DOLLAR SHORT FALL THAT WE EXPERIENCED THIS YEAR FROM PEOPLE NOT PAYING PROPERTY TAXES. WE DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH OF THAT WILL BE PAID THIS YEAR. PERHAPS NOTHING. IF IT WAS ALL PAID, WE WOULD BE IN GOOD SHAPE. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE TAX COLLECTIONS RIGHT NOW FOR THIS YEAR. WE COULD BE ANOTHER MILLION DOLLARS SHORT. THE NEXT CUTS WILL HAVE TO COME FROM THE HEALTH PLANS. COUNCIL WILL HAVE TO LOOK AND SEE WHAT THEY WANT TO DO ABOUT THEIR INSURANCE PLAN. AFTER THAT, IT WILL BE THE EMERGENCY SERVICES. CUTS IN THOSE SERVICES WILL HURT THE CITY TREMENDOUSLY. HE SAID TO COUNCILMAN REID THAT CONTRARY TO SOME OF THE THINGS YOU HAVE BEEN SAYING, WE MAY BE ABLE TO MAKE IT THROUGH NEXT YEAR WITH THE CUTS WE ARE MAKING THIS YEAR.
COUNCILMAN REID SAID HE DIDN'T WANT TO SEE US HAVE TO CUT. YOU ARE AT YOUR BARE MINIMUM AT THE STREET DEPARTMENT. PARKS DEPARTMENT HAS ALMOST BEEN ELIMINATED FOR ALL PRACTICAL PURPOSES EXPECT FOR MOWING STUFF IN THE SUMMER AND THE CEMETERY IS AT THE BAREST BONE. WE ARE LUCKY TO HAVE THE DEPARTMENT HEAD THAT WE HAVE THERE ARE WE MIGHT HAVE TO HAVE MORE STAFF THERE. HE DIDN'T WANT TO SEE CUTS BUT IF WE LOSE ANOTHER 1.7 MILLION DOLLARS OVER AND ABOVE WHAT THE CUT WAS THIS YEAR, THEN THE CITY IS GOING TO HAVE TO CUT REGARDLESS. EVEN IF WE CHARGE FOUR OR FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR INSURANCE AND RAISE THE DEDUCTIBLE, WE'RE STILL GOING TO HAVE TO LAY OFF. THERE ISN'T MUCH MORE TO CUT. BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T PLANNED OR HAVE A RESERVE WE ARE NOT GOING TO OFF SET THOSE CUTS. THE LONGER THIS COUNCIL PUSHES OFF TRYING TO HAVE A TRASH FEE OR DO IT AS CHEAP AS POSSIBLE, MORE THAN LIKELY IT IS GOING TO FORCE TO REDUCE STAFFING. THOSE ARE HIS CONCERNS.
MAYOR SMALL SAID THERE WOULD BE A DRAFT OF A TRASH ORDINANCE IN THEIR NEXT PACKET.
COUNCILMAN REID SAID HE MOST LIKELY WOULD GO FOR A TRASH FEE.
COUNCILADY GOODMAN ALSO SAID SHE WOULD GO FOR A TRASH FEE. SHE SAID SHE UNDERSTOOD WHAT HAS TO BE DONE AND SHE, LIKE COUNCILMAN REID, WAS NOT HERE TO PLAY POLITICAL GAMES.
COUNCILADY MALONE SAID SHE BEGGED THE DIFFERENCE; NO ONE IS HERE PLAYING POLITICAL GAMES. SHE SAID SHE CARED ABOUT PEOPLE AND WHEN THEY CALL AND BEG NOT TO DO THE TRASH FEE. I'V GOT TO CONSIDER THEIR FEELINGS. THEY PUT ME IN THIS SEAT.
COUNCILMAN REID SAID EVEN IF IT BANKRUPTS THE CITY? HE SAID , BY PLAYING POLITICS AND BEING SCARED OF THE UNIONS OF THIS TOWN, THIS COUNCIL IS DRIVING THIS CITY INTO BANKRUPTCY.
COUNCILMAN REID SAID TO COUNCILMAN HAHN, YOU ONLY SHOW UP ABOUT A QUARTER OF THE TIME. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU REALLY HAVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE AN OPINION AT THIS POINT.
COUNCILMAN HAHN REPLIED, WE WILL TALK ABOUT THIS AFTERWARDS.
PRESIDENT YORK TOLD COUNCILADY GOODMAN THAT THIS WAS NOT A POLITICAL MOVE. WE DO NOT PLAY POLITICAL GAMES. YOU HAVE CONSTITUENTS HERE IN THE AUDIENCE TONIGHT, BUT YOU ARE NOT LISTENING TO THEM.
COUNCILADY GOODMAN SAID, THAT IS OUT OF LINE AND INAPPROPRIATE.
PRESIDENT YORK MOVED TO PASS THIS RESOLUTION. COUNCILMAN REID: SECOND
ROLL CALL VOTE: SIX VOTES AYE. PASSED AND ORDERED.
PRESIDENT YORK MOVED TO PASS THIS ORDINANCE ON SECOND READING. COUNCILMAN REID: SECOND ROLL CALL VOTE: SIX VOTES AYE. PASSED AND ORDERED.
PRESIDENT YORK MOVED TO PASS THIS ORDINANCE. COUNCILADY MALONE: SECOND.
ROLL CALL VOTE: SIX VOTES AYE. PASSED AND ORDERED.
A PETITION WAS PRESENTED FOR A 4-WAY STOP TO BE ERECTED AT THE INTERSECTION OF F AVE. AND SOUTH 21ST ST. THE PETITION WAS FROM THE RESIDENCES WHO SAY SPEEDING AND RECKLESS DRIVING IS THE REASON AND BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY CHILDREN IN THAT AREA.
A LETTER WAS WRITTEN BY KATHY HAMILTON, HOPE INITIATIVE, THANKING EVERYONE FOR THE HELP THAT HAS BEEN GIVEN. SHE SAID ON MAY 1, 2010, THE CLEAN-UP WILL BEGIN AT 8:30 A.M.. ALSO, BREAKFAST WILL BE SERVED BEFORE AND A SACK LUNCH WILL BE PREPARED FOR ALL WHO HELP WITH THE CLEAN-UP. SHE SAID SHE ENCOURAGED THE PUBLIC TO HELP.
MARY LOGAN SAID, HONESTLY, DO SOMETHING. SHE SAID SHE WAS VERY WILLING TO PAY A HIGHER FEE FOR TRASH PICK-UP IF IT WOULD HELP KEEP THE MEN WORKING. SHE ASKED THAT THE TRASH NOT BE OUT SOURCED.
PRESIDENT YORK MOVED TO ADJOURN.
