2006-04-08 Special Called City Council Retreat Meeting of La Porte City Council

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MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL RETREAT MEETING OF LA PORTE CITY COUNCIL April 8, 2006 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Mayor Alton Porter at 8:30 a.m. Members of City Council Present: Councilmembers Chuck Engelken, Barry Beasley, Tommy Moser, Louis Rigby, Howard Ebow, Mike Clausen, Mike Mosteeit and Mayor Alton Porter. Members of Council Absent: NQfh - Pe-f er A r Members of City Executive Staff and City Employees Present: City Manager Debra Feazelle, Assistant City Manager Cynthia Alexander, City Secretary Martha Gillett, Public Works Director Steve Gillett, Parks and Recreation Director Stephen Barr, Assistant Fire Chief John Dunham, Director of Planning & Community Development Wayne Sabo, Assistant to the City Manager Crystal Scott, EMS Chief Ray Nolen and Fire Chief Mike Boaze. 2. OPENING REMARKS - Mayor Porter Thanked everyone for spending a Saturday in a meeting and hopes to provide staff with direction for the upcoming budget. 3. FINANCIAL OVERVIEW - D. Feazelle Ms. Feazelle provided Mayor and Council with a brief overview and summary of the financial status of the City. Mayor and Council were advised the IDA item will be covered in the Council meeting to be held Monday, April 10, 2006. Property Tax - it was noted numbers are favorable. Sales Tax - it was reported sales tax numbers are slightly down this year. It was reported the City was overpaid approximately $400,000.00 in sales tax and will be required to pay it back. Staff is investigating and researching this matter. Staff informed Mayor and Council this information is not open to the Public. Council directed staff to provide them with the legislation that states this information is confidential and not available for release to the City. Municipal Court - it was reported revenues have increased. Judge Mitrano has implemented new programs to improve the overall efficiency of court operations. General Fund - the goal is to have 90 to 120 days of working capital in reserve. Assistant City Manager reported they met with the rating agencies this week and are in hopes our rating will increase. Reserves currently reflect 120 days of working capital. Current concerns addressed were low sales tax revenues and high industry revenues. It was further noted if an emergency arises we could use the extra days of working capital back to 90 days. There is $284,000.00 still available in Council reserves for special projects. The General Fund Model was discussed. Long range plans were discussed. A general fund model was discussed and a 10 year history provided. Council inquired as to whether or not the City has ever held a lost revenue insurance policy. Staff will research and report back to City Council. It was noted Industrial District Agreements negations are upcoming. New projects and businesses opening in the City are expected to increase revenues. Water/Sewer Rate Model/Long Range Planning was discussed.