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OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
COUNCIL MINUTES
May 14, 2009
The City Council of the City of Mesa met in a Study Session in the lower level meeting room of the Council Chambers, 57 East 1st Street, on May 14, 2009 at 7:31 a.m.
COUNCIL PRESENT |
COUNCIL ABSENT |
OFFICERS PRESENT |
Mayor Scott Smith |
Dennis Kavanaugh |
Christopher Brady |
Alex Finter |
Debbie Spinner | |
Dina Higgins |
Linda Crocker | |
Kyle Jones |
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Dave Richins |
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Scott Somers |
Mayor Smith excused Councilmember Kavanaugh from the entire meeting.
1. Review items on the agenda for the May 18, 2009 Regular Council meeting.
All of the items on the agenda were reviewed among Council and staff and the following was noted:
Conflicts of interest declared: None
Items added to the consent agenda: None
Items removed from the consent agenda: None
2. Hear a presentation on the Kino Pool Grand opening activities and citywide summer swim programs.
Parks, Recreation and Commercial Facilities Director Rhett Evans introduced Assistant Parks, Recreation and Commercial Facilities Director Mike Holste. Mr. Evans provided an update on the regional pool concept, which was adopted by the Council and the Parks & Recreation Board. He displayed a PowerPoint presentation (a copy is available for review in the City Clerk’s Office) and explained that the regional concept calls for fewer pools that are larger and offer more amenities. He reported that the Carson Pool has been completed, Kino will open soon, the Rhodes Pool is under construction and the Skyline Pool is about to enter into the design phase. Mr. Evans stated that Quality of Life sales tax revenues fund the pool construction costs.
Mr. Holste advised that the City would have seven pools operational this summer compared to ten last year. He provided information on the Kino, Rhodes and Skyline pools, the programs to be offered at each pool and the projected opening dates (see Attachment 1). He cited numerous competitive events that have been scheduled at the Kino Pool.
In response to a question from Vice Mayor Jones, Mr. Holste advised that the Skyline Pool is oriented from east to west with the spectator area on the south side.
Discussion ensued relative to the fact that the shaded areas at the Skyline Pool would incorporate a design similar to that of the Kino Pool; and that shade screens could be installed on the back of the bleachers.
Mayor Smith emphasized the importance of providing shade for spectators attending competitive events. He requested that staff pay close attention to the issue.
Responding to a question from Councilmember Somers, Mr. Evans advised that the design for the Skyline Pool is 60 percent complete at the present time.
City Manager Christopher Brady advised that staff was anxious to place the project out for bid because of the current reduction in construction costs as a result of the economic crisis. He noted that many bids received by the City for other projects have been lower than anticipated, which has enabled the City to address additional projects.
Mayor Smith noted that cost savings would be realized because the Skyline Pool is utilizing the same design as the Kino Pool.
Mr. Holste reported that Federal legislation to prevent pool and spa drain entrapments, the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, which applies to all public and semi-public pools became effective December 19, 2008. He advised that a consultant determined that the City’s pools are close to being in compliance and that the required changes, which are minimal, can be accomplished in-house. Mr. Holste explained that the Federal legislation requires the installation of pool drain covers, the purpose of which are to prevent the drowning of children and adults as a result of being trapped by the suction of the pool drain.
Mr. Evans added that the City’s pools provide additional safety by having dual drains so that if one drain is blocked, the other drain would begin to function.
Mr. Holste advised that staff is being proactive with regard to pool maintenance and public education in order to prevent contamination by the Cryptosporidium parasite. He advised that staff was recognized by Maricopa County for the development of a pamphlet titled, “Crypto. What is it?” (a copy is available for review in the City Clerk’s Office), which will be utilized as part of the public education effort.
In response to a suggestion by Councilmember Somers, Mr. Holste stated that copies of the pamphlet would be made available to homeowners’ associations and apartment complexes.
Mr. Holste provided an overview of the summer aquatics programs, and he reported that registration in 2009 has increased when compared to last year. He advised that the Guard Start Program provides a volunteer opportunity for young people aged 13 to 15 years old to assist lifeguards. Mr. Holste reported that last year 179 young people contributed 10,900 hours of volunteer service to the Program. He noted that the Making Waves Program provides an opportunity for local businesses and organizations to fund scholarships for underprivileged children. Mr. Holste said that the Kino Pool Grand Opening would be held on May 15th.
Mayor Smith thanked staff for the update.
3. Review and hear a presentation on the FY 2009/10 Preliminary Budget.
Budget Director Chuck Odom stated that the Council received the preliminary 2009/2010 Budget and the 2009/2010 CIP (Capital Improvement Program) binders (copies are available for review in the City Clerk’s Office). He displayed a PowerPoint presentation (a copy is available for review in the City Clerk’s Office) to provide an overview of the proposed budget. Mr. Odom displayed a chart titled the FY09/10 “All Funds” Budget (see Attachment 2), and he noted that budget cuts implemented during the year are reflected on the chart. He added that Quality of Life funds are included in the General Governmental Operations & Maintenance (O&M) fund.
In response to a question from Councilmember Higgins, Mr. Odom advised that for ten years Quality of Life was tracked as a separate fund. He noted that the last of the capital items are now being addressed and that the remaining funds will be utilized for O&M expenses.
Mayor Smith explained that the Quality of Life tax was approved for specific objectives such as the funding of additional police officers and projects, such as swimming pools. He said that because the capital projects will be completed with the current pool construction, the remaining funds that address Operations and Maintenance expense do not have to be tracked separately.
Mr. Odom stated that the proposed budget achieves the goal of reducing the budget by $152 million. He explained that the tentative budget to be presented to the Council on June 1st will be significantly higher in order to account for capital expenditures that were not completed in the current year and will be budgeted again in the coming year. He emphasized that this was a timing issue and did not represent a budget increase. Mr. Odom added that the final budget would be somewhat lower than the tentative budget.
Mayor Smith stated that the tentative budget establishes the maximum that can be budgeted for the next year. He explained that the City must also include in the budget the anticipated amount of Federal Stimulus Grants in order to expend the funds when the grants are received.
Mr. Odom stated that the City expects to receive the following Federal Stimulus Grants:
General Fund $ 20,848,000
Transportation Funds 10,785,000
Utilities/Enterprise Fund 2,958,000
All Other Restricted & Trust Funds 11,701,000
Federal Stimulus Grants $ 46,292,000
Mr. Odom reported that the City would have approximately 1.2 fewer full time employees per one thousand residents in 2009/2010 than in 2000/2001. He advised that the budget books and related documents are being made available on the City’s website, and he reviewed the following budget timeline:
May 18th Council Meeting: Adopt Utility Rate Notice of Intention
June 1st Council Meeting: Adopt Tentative Budget & Introduce
Utility Rate Ordinances
June 22nd Council Meeting: Public Hearings and Adopt FY 2009/10
Budget, 5-Year CIP, Utility Rates, &
Secondary Property Tax Rate
In response to a comment by Mayor Smith, Mr. Odom confirmed that the General Fund budget has been reduced by 15.1 percent.
Mayor Smith thanked Mr. Odom for the presentation.
4. Acknowledge receipt of minutes of various boards and committees.
a. Community & Neighborhood Services Committee meeting held April 30, 2009
b. Economic Development Advisory Board meeting held April 7, 2009
It was moved by Councilmember Somers, seconded by Vice Mayor Jones, that receipt of the above-referenced minutes be acknowledged.
Mayor Smith declared the motion carried unanimously by those present.
5. Hear reports on meetings and/or conferences attended.
Councilmember Finter: Annual Police Memorial Service
Mesa Public Safety Foundation Breakfast
6. Scheduling of meetings and general information.
City Manager Christopher Brady reported that City Hall at the Mall was very successful, and he thanked everyone who participated. He also thanked the management of Fiesta Mall for their cooperation, and he advised that the next event is scheduled for October 31st at Superstition Springs Mall.
Mr. Brady stated that the meeting schedule is as follows:
Friday, May 15, 2009, 5:00 p.m. – Kino Pool Grand Opening
Monday, May 18, 2009, 3:30 p.m. – Public Safety Committee Meeting
Monday, May 18, 2009, 5:00 p.m. – Study Session
Monday, May 18, 2009, 5:45 p.m. – Regular Council Meeting
Thursday, May 21, 2009, 7:30 a.m. – Study Session
Thursday, May 28, 2009, 6:30 p.m. – District 1 Building Strong Neighborhoods Meeting
7. Prescheduled public opinion appearances.
a. Hear from Steve Allen regarding light rail through downtown Mesa.
Mr. Allen stated that he would present his comments to the Council at the Regular Council meeting on May 18, 2009.
8. Items from citizens present.
There were no items from citizens present
9. Convene an Executive Session.
It was moved by Councilmember Somers, seconded by Vice Mayor Jones, that the Council enter into an Executive Session.
a. Discussion or consultation with the City Attorney in order to consider the City’s position and instruct the City Attorney regarding the City’s position regarding contracts that are the subject of negotiations, in pending or contemplated litigation or in settlement discussions conducted in order to avoid or resolve litigation. (A.R.S. §38-431-03A(4))
1. Chicago Cubs Spring Training
10. Adjournment.
Without objection, the Study Session adjourned at 8:13 a.m., prior to the Executive Session.
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SCOTT SMITH, MAYOR
ATTEST:
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LINDA CROCKER, CITY CLERK
I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Study Session of the City Council of Mesa, Arizona, held on the 14th day of May, 2009. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present.
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LINDA CROCKER, CITY CLERK
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Attachments (2)