Austin's Budget & Public Works Revamp
Here's a summary of the September 02, 1986 Austin City Council meeting:
Public Opposes Budget Changes:
Residents voiced strong opposition to proposed fee increases for Parks and Recreation, including soccer programs, and cuts to social and human services, especially in East Austin.Major Department Consolidation Proposed:
The City Manager presented a plan to merge the Urban Transportation and Public Works departments, projecting $1 million in savings and the elimination of 40 vacant positions to improve efficiency and reduce overlapping duties.Budget Scrutiny Continues:
After public input, council members held detailed discussions with department directors from Water and Wastewater, Resource Management, and Vehicle Equipment Services regarding their operating budgets.
Full Transcript
i TY OF AUST FOUNDED ERS Austin City Council MINUTES For SPECIAL CALLED MEETING - September 02, 1986 - 4:00 Ρ.Μ. City Council Frank C.Cooksey * Mayor John Treviño, Jr. Mayor Pro Tem Council Members Mark Rose Smoot Carl-Mitchell Sally Shipman George Humphrey ! Charles E. Urdy Jorge Carrasco City Manager Elden Aldridge City Clerk Council Chambers, 307 West Second Street, Austin, Texas Memorandum To: Mayor Cooksey called to order the Special Called Meeting of the Council, noting the presence of all Councilmembers. PUBLIC HEARING - OPERATING BUDGET Mayor Cooksey opened the public hearing on the Operating Budget. The following people spoke: Sheryl Brown was against increased fees in the Parks and Recreation budget. Beverly Olchen also spoke against an increase in fees. John Moore spoke against cuts in social/human services in East Austin. Mr. Powers is against a raise in fees for soccer. City Manager Jorge Carrasco requested permission to report on the proposed consolidation of Urban Transportation and Public Works. He referred to his report distributed on August 12, 1986. Mr. Carrasco said the consolidation would save approximately $1,000,000.00 and reduce 40 positions. Mr. Terry Childers, Senior Assistant City Manager, reviewed the proposal. He said the duties of Urban Transportation and the Department of Public Works overlap and creates confusion for the public, developers and the State. Carrasco told Council transportation planning will be enhanced because conceptual aspects and construction will be together. Discussion followed by the Councilmembers and some members of the staff. Mayor Cooksey asked about the positions which would be reduced. Mr. Richard Ridings, Director of Public Works, told Council the people would be re-assigned in the consolidation. Mayor Cooksey asked if there would be lay-off's. Mr. Ridings said no, that there would be the elimination of 40 vacant positions as a part : Ca Council Memo of the merger. 2 9/2/86 Motion The Council, on Mayor Pro Tem Trevino's motion, Councilmember Carl-Mitchell's second, closed the public hearing. (5-0 Vote, Councilmember Shipman and Mayor Pro Tem Trevino out of the room.) RECESS Council recessed its meeting from 5:15 to 5:30p.m. PRESENTATION POSTPONED Mayor Cooksey announced the presentation by Dr. Amory Lovins on the South Texas Nuclear Project was postponed to September 3, 1986. PUBLIC HEARING - OPERATING BUDGET Motion - CONTINUED The Council, on Councilmember Carl-Mitchell's motion, Councilmember Humphrey's second, made a motion to reconsider the closing of the public hearing on the operating budget. (5-0 Vote, Councilmember Shipman and Mayor Pro Tem Trevino out of the room.) Mayor Cooksey asked to hear reports from various departments concerning their operating budgets. Jim Thompson, Director of Water and Wastewater discussed and answered questions about his department. Mike Heitz, Acting Director of Resource Management, discussed his department. The Director of Vehicle Equipment Services, Jesus Garza talked about his department and answered questions from Council. Motion The Council, by acclamation, closed the public hearing. ADJOURNMENT Council adjourned its meeting at 6:10 p.m.