FOUNDID 1889 Austin City Council MINUTES For SPECIAL CALLED MEETING - September 14, 1988 - 3:00 Ρ.Μ. Council Chambers, 307 West Second Street, Austin, Texas Mayor Cooke called the meeting to order, noting the presence of all Councilmembers. Prior to the taking of motions on the overall budget, Mayor Cooke recognized Mr. Bob May of Rudd and Wisdom, representing the Employee's Retirement Board. Mr. May stated that the Board opposed a second one-year reduction of .8 of a per cent to the retirement system contribution and that he shared the Board's concern. Former City Clerk Grace Monroe, a member of the Retirement Board, also opposed carrying over the reduction for a second year. SIX-YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PLAN Motion The Council, on Councilmember Nofziger's motion, Councilmember Urdy's second, approved the Six-Year Capital Improvements Plan, as amended, on second reading. (6-1 Vote, Coucilman Barnstone voting No) CAPITAL BUDGET Motion The Council, on Mayor Pro Tem Shipman's motion, Councilmember Carl-Mitchell's second, approved the 1988-89 Capital Budget, as amended, on second reading. (5-2 Vote, Councilman Barnstone and Councilmember Humphrey voting No) HISTORIC EXEMPTION Motion The Council, on Councilmember Carl-Mitchell's motion, Councilmember Humphrey's second, approved the Historic Property Tax Exemptions on second reading. (7-0 Vote) Council Memo DISABLED AND ELDERLY Page 2 September 14, 1988 Motion The Council, on Councilmember Humphrey's motion, Mayor Pro Tem Shipman's second, reaffirmed property tax exemptions for the disabled and elderly on second reading. (7-0 Vote) DOWNTOWN PARKING RATES Motion Councilman Barnstone moved that the Council set downtown parking meter rates at the rate before the last increase. Councilmember Humphrey seconded the motion. The motion FAILED by a 2-5-1 Vote, with Mayor Pro Tem Shipman and Councilmembers Carl-Mitchell, Nofziger and Urdy voting No and Councilmember Humphrey abstaining. FEES, RATES AND CHARGES Motion The Council, on Mayor Pro Tem Shipman's motion, Councilmember Urdy's second, approved fees, rates and charges, excluding electric rates and property taxes, on second reading. (6-1 Vote, Councilman Barnstone voting No) ENTERPRISE FUNDS Motion The Council, on Mayor Pro Tem Shipman's motion, Councilmember Nofziger's second, approved the following Enterprise Funds, as amended, on second reading. (6-0 Vote, Councilmember Urdy out of the room at roll call) Aviation Fund Electric Utility Fund General Services Fund Growth Services Fund Hotel/Motel Bed Tax Fund Parks and Recreation Enterprise Funds Tennis Enterprise Fund Golf Enterprise Fund Public Events Facilities Fund Solid Waste Services Fund Water and Wastewater Utility Fund Cultural Arts Fund Employee Benefits Fund General Obligation Debt Service Fund Liability Reserve Fund Revenue Bond Redemption Fund Workers' Compensation Fund Council Memo Page 3 September 14, 1988 BRACKENRIDGE HOSPITAL Motion Former Councilwoman Betty Himmelblau, speaking for the Brackenridge Hospital Board, asked that 14 positions be restored at the Hospital. The Council, on Councilmember Nofziger's motion, Mayor Cooke's second, restored the 14 positions at a cost of $256,000 and reduced the catastrophic care fund by $250,000. (7-0 Vote) Motion The Council, on Councilmember Nofziger's motion, Councilmember Urdy's second, approved the Brackenridge Hospital Enterprise Fund, as amended, on second reading. (7-0 Vote) HEALTH DEPARTMENT Motion Councilmember Carl-Mitchell moved that the Council restore 15 positions in the environmental services section of the Health Department. Mayor Pro Tem Shipman seconded the motion. Substitute Motion Councilman Barnstone offered a substitute motion that the Council cut environmental services by $225,000. Councilmember Humphrey seconded the motion. Friendly Amendment Accepted Councilmember Humphrey offered a friendly amendment that $225,000 be cut from the Health Department budget at the discretion of the Director. Councilman Barnstone accepted the friendly amendment. The motion, as amended, carried by a 4-3 Vote, Mayor Pro Tem Shipman and Councilmembers Carl-Mitchell and Urdy voting No. PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT - SOCCER In response to Councilmember Nofziger's question regarding the deletion of a Soccer Coordinator, Mr. Charles Jordan, Parks and Recreation Department Director, stated that the Soccer Association would retain most of the fees and the City would get $35 per team, instead of $126 per team. The City would mark the fields, put up nets and handle some special maintenance. Council Memo Page 4 September 14, 1988 Acting City Manager John Ware stated that the net effect would be to reduce revenues by $13,736, but a comparable savings would result by reducing the water and wastewater line item by the same amount. The item would be a wash. Motion The Council, on Councilmember Nofziger's motion, Mayor Cooke's second, adopted the City Manager's recommendation. (7-0 Vote) FIRE DEPARTMENT Chief Bill Roberts of the Fire Department, reviewed the proposed cuts in Fire Department personnel. Even with the restoration of 17 probationary firefighters and 10 members of the current cadet class, there would be a net loss of three, since the average annual turnover was 30 firefighters. Chief Roberts stated that the Department was understaffed by industry standards. Motion Mayor Pro Tem Shipman moved that the Council restore the fire cadet class. Councilmember Carl-Mitchell seconded the motion. After further discussion, the motion was withdrawn. Motion Mayor Pro Tem Shipman moved that the Council restore one manpower unit to the Fire Department at a cost of $325,000. The motion, seconded by Councilmember Carl-Mitchell, FAILED by a 3-4 Vote, with Mayor Cooke, Councilman Barnstone and Councilmembers Humphrey and Nofziger voting No. Motion Mayor Pro Tem Shipman moved that the Council restore 27 positions (10 cadets and 17 probationary firefighters) to the Fire Department. The motion, seconded by Councilmember Carl-Mitchell, FAILED by a 3-4 Vote, Mayor Cooke, Councilman Barnstone and Councilmember Humphrey and Nofziger voting No) Council Memo Page 5 September 14, 1988 PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT Motion The Council, on Councilmember Urdy's motion, Councilmember Carl-Mitchell's second, added a Program Manager to the Parks and Recreation Department's budget at a cost of $40,809. (4-3 Vote, Mayor Cooke, Councilman Barnstone and Councilmember Humphrey voting No) PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT Motion Councilman Barnstone moved that the Council cut $1 million from system support in the Department. Mayor Cooke seconded the motion. After further discussion, the Council asked the Acting City Manager to bring back a report on September 15th regarding the impact of the proposed cut. The motion and second were withdrawn by the makers. OPERATING BUDGET Motion Councilmember Nofziger moved that the Council approve the Operating Budget, as amended, on second reading. The motion, seconded by Councilmember Urdy, FAILED by a 3-2-0 Vote, Councilman Barnstone and Councilmember Humphrey voting No and Mayor Pro Tem Shipman and Councilmember Carl-Mitchell out of the room at roll call. RETIREMENT CONTRIBUTION Motion Mayor Pro Tem Shipman moved that the Council amend the Acting City Manager's recommendation and delete the 6.2% contribution to the Employee's Retirement Fund (restore the contribution to 7%). Councilmember Carl-Mitchell seconded the motion. After further discussion, the Council agreed to withhold the motion until third reading of the Budget on September 15th. The motion and second were withdrawn by the makers. OPERATING BUDGET Motion The Council, on Councilmember Urdy's motion, Councilmember Nofziger's second, approved the Operating Budget, as amended, on second reading. (5-2 Vote, Councilman Barnstone and Councilmember Humphrey voting No) Council Memo Page 6 September 14, 1988 TAX RATE Motion The Council, on Councilmember Urdy's motion, Councilmember Carl-Mitchell's second, approved on second reading a tax rate of .5355 cents per $100 valuation. (5-2 Vote, Councilman Barnstone and Councilmember Humphrey voting No) Adjournment The Council adjourned at 6:20 p.m.