2004-12-06 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Ms. Hamilton said she is willing to keep it the same, and agreed with Mr. Caravati about the need for a community conversation. Mr. Caravati made a motion to leave #4 as stated, and to include asking that the School Board and administration develop a strategic plan over a longer period of time before audit recommendations are implemented. Mr. Caravati said he is afraid things are going to get out of hand. Mr. Caravati's motion died for lack of a second. On motion by Mr. Lynch, seconded by Dr. Brown, guideline #4 was approved as originally presented by the following vote. Ayes: Dr. Brown, Mr. Caravati, Ms. Hamilton, Mr. Lynch. Noes: Mr. Schilling. Regarding #7, Mr. Schilling said he is still wondering about the AAA bond rating and said that the 12% fund balance is becoming burdensome. He said he would like to know all known factors that contribute to the credit rating and where we stand on all of them. Mr. O'Connell said he will provide the information, but noted that staff was grilled by the rating agencies about the shortfall last year. He said they look at the City's long-term commitment to stability. Mr. Schilling suggested that this guideline be deferred. Mr. Lynch made a motion to leave guideline #7 as presented, which leaves the fund balance equal to one and one half months of working capital. Ms. Hamilton seconded the motion and it was approved by the following vote. Ayes: Dr. Brown, Mr. Caravati, Ms. Hamilton, Mr. Lynch. Noes: None. Abstaining: Mr. Schilling. Regarding guideline #8, Mr. Caravati asked if gainsharing is being reviewed. Mr. O'Connell said that it is and he expects that it will not be recommended for next year. He suggested that this guideline be taken out. On motion by Mr. Lynch, seconded by Mr. Caravati, #8 was amended to strike "and privatization" and to add "to evaluate the policy of gainsharing" by the following vote. Ayes: Dr. Brown, Mr. Caravati, Ms. Hamilton, Mr. Lynch. Noes: Mr. Schilling. Regarding #13, Mr. Lynch said there are two big cost areas for the City: demographics and poverty. He said he is happy to leave in this guideline, but we should be careful when we look at outside agencies not to cut across the board, but to look at what programs are achieving results. Regarding #15, Mr. Schilling said he never favored having a Council reserve and he does not want what he heard a former Councilor refer to as "play money." He made a motion to eliminate guideline #15. Mr. Lynch said that things come up throughout the year and this gives Council the flexibility to be able to react to them. Responding to a question from Ms. Hamilton, Mr. O'Connell said that the reserve is generally between $75,000 and $100,000. Mr. O'Connell noted that Council generally uses some of the reserve during the budget process. Mr. Schilling's motion died for lack of a second. On motion by Mr. Lynch, seconded by Ms. Hamilton, guideline #15 remained as presented by the following vote. Ayes: Dr. Brown, Mr. Caravati, Ms. Hamilton, Mr. Lynch. Noes: Mr. Schilling.