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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-17-10 Finance Comm minutesDUBLIN CITY COUNCIL FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING Wednesday, November 17,2010 — 6:30 pm. Council Chambers Mr. Gerber, Chair, called the operating budget workshop meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Council Members present.- Mayor Lecklider, Vice Mayor Salay, Mr. Keenan, Mr. Gerber, Mrs. Boring and Ms. Chinnicl-Zuercher. Mr. Reiner was absent (excused). Staff present.- Ms. Grigsby, Mr. Thurman, Mr. McDaniel, Mr. Harding, Mr. Hammersmith, Mr. Langworthy, Ms. Crandall, Mr. Burns, Mr. Tyler, Mr. Gunderman, Ms. Kennedy, Ms. Noble-Flading, Ms. Adkins, Ms. Colley, Ms. Rogers. Mr. Gerber stated this is the second budget review meeting for the purpose of reviewing the proposed 2011 Operating Budget. row �fir. Keenan inquired if I.T. was providing assistance. Mr. Tyler responded that they are. A cross -functional, cross -work division team that is developing a product for Building Standards, and potentially an opportunity for other work u 'ts, as well. ni Council members expressed support for the concept, and had no further questions. Finance Committee of the Whoft November 17, 2010 Page 2 Mr. Gerber noted that in his practice he meets many businesses from Canada and Europe *o those are developing trends that he hopes will also be included. Mr. McDaniel agreed. He has also been approached by several Israeli companies. Finance Committee of the Whole Ne?vember 17, 2010 Page 3 Mr. Keenan inquired if those discussions occur at the staff level. Finance Committee of the Whole November 17,2010 Page 4 Mr. McDaniel stated that those discussion have occurred, and an effort 'is being made to resolve the 'issue. Mr. Keenan stated that would be the appropriate place to resolve the matter, then bring it back to Council. Ms. Chinnici-Zuercher inquired if there was any potential infrastructure at the DEC that I if it had been in place, would have made Dublin competitive for the three companies now going to New Albany? Mr. McDaniel inquired which three companies. Ms. Chinnici-Zuercher responded that it was the three companies listed in today's newspaper. Mr. McDaniel indicated that he was traveling all day and had not yet read today's news. Mr. Gerber indicated that the companies involved light manufacturing and support staff. Mr. Keenan noted that it was 550 jobs. Mayor Lecklider indicated that they were not high compensation jobs. Mr. McDaniel stated that the advantage New Albany has is real estate tax abatements. However, recently, Dublin has been able to show site selectors (as this is an education issue) and site consultants that Dublin can get within $100,000 of that tax abatement range through net present value money. That is making Dublin more competitive. Mr. Keenan stated that the real estate tax abatement 'is very attractive to somt companies; it is much different than an income tax abatement. Mr. McDaniel stated that 'it is, and New Albany advertises either a 15 or 20 -year tax a abatement. However, Dublin is very innovative in how it approaches those numbers in other ways. Mr. Keenan stated that in their Economic Development outreach, New Alban I _y is Finance Committee of the Whole Nolvember 17, 2010 Page 5 -Mr. McDaniel stated that he would like to hire a second Administrator quickly, and look at the classification issue, as well. Perhaps a third Administrator, rather than a Director, would be an option, too. He would appreciate the position being included as a placeho;lder. Ms. Chinnici-Zuercher noted that there is a need for available career ladders for staff. Mayor Lecklider stated that all of Council has expressed support. for increased resources in tnis program. He cannot foresee that Council would change that view. Therefore, he Finance Committee of the Whole Npvember 17, 2010 Page 6 1 9 wouia prefer to have the flexibility in the budget to hire either a Director or another Administrator later in 2011. Mr. Gerber stated that he would like to include a flexible position for staff to determine how best to address. Mr. McDaniel agreed that those relationships are not built overnight. It is important to build the depth on the bench to be building those relationships. If he and Ms. Gilger are no longer here someday, the relationships and continuity can continue. That is a good investment in this effort. Ms. Chinnici-Zuercher stated that she wanted to clarify her purpose for including the position in the budget, but it would not be necessary to fund it in either the first or second quarter, but rather after the evaluations have been completed and a better understanding of the future need is achieved. Mrs. Boring suggested that it be stated that a position would be included, to be later determined what level/title would be more effective. Council concurred with the recommendation. There were no other questions regarding the Economic Development budget. Finance Committee of the Whole Nnvember 17, 2010 Page 7 ENO: Mr. Thurman stated that there are two full-time positions that will remain authorized but unfunded Am** a Planner and a Zoning Inspector. There are also two Planning Assistant positions that are authorized but unfunded. Planning and Building staff have been collaborating to share those duties. He asked Mr. Langworthy to comment. Mr. Gerber inquired what staff members are involved with Code Enforcement. Mr. Langworthy responded that there is the Code Enforcement Supervisior, a Zoning Inspector, and two Zoning Enforcement officers. Mrs. Bon*ng requested clarification - are two Planning positions authorized but not funded? Ms. Grigsby responded that is correct. Finance Committee of the Whole November 17,2010 Page 8 Mrs. Boring inquired the reasong that Planning Interns are now called Planning Assistants. Mr. Langworthy responded that he gave them that name, due to the level of tasks they perform. That title more accurately reflects that on their resume. Mr. Gerber inquired about Account 2344 --- Planning Services. Does Planning intend to do more inhouse this year? Mr. Langworthy responded that the numbers are deceiving. In 2010, funds were directed to the Bridge Street Corridor Project. It is assumed those funds will now be directed to the Pattern Book and Code projects next year. Mayor Lecklider stated that the information indicates that the same account pays for bridge load ratings and inspections mandated by ODOT. Does the City pay ODOT and Finance Committee of the Whole November 17, 2010 Page 9 they, in turn, it a consultant, or does Dublin hire its own consultants to provide those inspections? Mr. Hammersmith responded that Dublin contracts with Burgess & Niple to conduct the load ratings. This has only recently been required by ODOT, although 'it has always been -2, Federal requirement that most States have not enforced. The Federal government has now mandated that States require that structures over 10 feet in length have a load rating on record, which must be updated every five years. The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m. 00 Clerk of Council