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<br /> <br />City Council 2009-06-09, 7:45 p.m. <br />Minutes of Work Session <br /> <br />Present were Mayor Capra, Council members Linda Broussard-Vickers, Ben <br />Fehrenbacher, Jeff Paar and D Love. Also present were Finance Director, Mike <br />Jeziorski; City Attorney Kurt Glaser and Engineer Mark Statz. <br /> <br />Ron Mehl of Beard Group, reviewed a proforma for the redevelopment of Block 8. It was <br />noted that the Livable Communities Grant in the amount of $763,100 must be spent this <br />year or it could be lost. Mr. Mehl indicated that the only means of financing the <br />construction would be through HUD, which has a significant backlog of projects. He <br />believes it would likely take a year to get financing approved. Even so, a funding gap of <br />around $3.5 million exists on this phase. Several alternatives were discussed to reduce <br />the gap, including abating various fees, specially assessing the street improvements, <br />deferring development fees and applying for additional grants. Beard suggested that they <br />could refine their construction estimates and look for opportunities to reduce costs. Staff <br />will determine if the LCDA Grant can be extended and will work with Beard to <br />determine the feasibility of the project, including other grant opportunities. Staff and <br />Beard will report back in one month. <br /> <br />Finance Director, Mike Jeziorski reviewed the draft budget for 2011, including the <br />Capital Improvement Plan. He also reviewed budget projections for the following five <br />years showing levies that would result using projected capital improvements, planned <br />debt service levies and assuming a 3% inflation cost to all expense areas of the budget. <br /> <br />Dallas Larson discussed major cost elements of the proposed 2011 budget, including a <br />plan to retain the City’s project inspector as a regular employee. No cost of living <br />adjustments for 2011 are included in personnel costs but a small increase is planned for <br />cost of family health insurance, capital expenses include replacing the park tractor and <br />upgrading the skid loader to permit cleaning of residential sidewalks. The General Fund <br />levy is unchanged from 2010, but the Debt Service levy is up $25,000, with a combined <br />levy increase of about 1%. <br /> <br />The draft 2011 General Fund budget has a deficit of $68,450, which may be covered by <br />Fund Balance if Council wishes. Another budget work session will be held after the first <br />meeting in July. Staff will prepare to discuss areas where cuts could be made. <br /> <br />The meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:10 p.m. <br /> <br />Dallas Larson, Administrator <br />