2009-05-20 - Laserfiche WebLink

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NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CHARLOTTESVILLE CITY COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON Wednesday, May 20, 2009 AT 5:00 p.m. IN THE Basement Conference Room. THE PROPOSED AGENDA IS AS FOLLOWS: Work Session: Efficiency Study BY ORDER OF THE MAYOR BY Jeanne Cox BASEMENT CONFERENCE ROOM – May 20, 2009 Council met in special session on this date with the following members present: Dr. Brown, Ms. Edwards, Mr. Huja, Mr. Norris. Absent: Mr. Taliaferro. Mr. O’Connell reviewed the scope of the study as follows: broad review of services within the context of the City Council vision; conduct peer review; identify potential short-term efficiencies; and identify long-term savings. Mr. Maurice Jones, Assistant City Manager, reviewed the study findings. Regarding some of the recommendations, Ms. Jennifer Brown, Treasurer, said that a change in State legislation would be needed in order to increase the cigarette tax. She said she would like to outsource dog tags, but is also looking at three-year tags. Mr. Jones reviewed current initiatives as follows: improving customer service; CACVB/Fire Department websites; succession planning; reporting on delinquent bills; IT strategic planning; agency budget review process; consolidating health care with City Schools; improving demographic data; utilizing inmate labor; regular performance discussions with Schools; peer review of Public Service crews; and CSA administration Mr. Robert Cox, Director of Social Services, said that meetings have been held with Albemarle County to talk about the direction the City and County want to go with Comprehensive Services Act administration. He said they are primarily looking at ways to decrease administrative costs and increase effectiveness. Councilors indicted their interest in exploring CSA administration further. Mr. Jones reviewed short-term initiatives (3-6 months): begin addressing future retirement benefits; performance measurements (P3); peer review for risk management; fee increases (not proposed for FY 2010). Dr. Brown asked if the structure of our Retirement Commission is typical of other localities, adding that he does not think it is. He said he believes some Commissions include business representatives. Mr. Brad Hammer, from the Weldon Cooper Center which conducted the study, said there are mixes of members on retirement commissions, some have fiduciary expertise, some retirees, and some citizens representatives. Dr. Brown said it would be interesting to engage more citizens in the process. Council asked staff to pick out comparables from other cities. Mr. Jones discussed long-term initiatives as follows (6-12 months): consolidating of services with City Schools; consolidation of services with Albemarle County and joint planning; regional cooperation on affordable housing; School funding formula; funding of the Recycling Center.