WEBVTT

METADATA
Video-Count: 1
Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=ZqqkRS-HKNk

Part: 1

1
00:00:03.929 --> 00:01:35.759
[music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] ter. >> I wouldn't even notice if you didn't say anything. I just wouldn't say it. I like

2
00:01:35.759 --> 00:02:24.480
how they put us far away. >> They put us far away so we can't yell at each other. [laughter] >> You picked the wrong spot. >> Right. That's what I was.

3
00:02:24.480 --> 00:03:13.360
>> Okay. >> [clears throat] >> Hi Tiggy. How are you? >> Good. All right. Please uh stand for the pledge of >> allegiance. Algian of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One

4
00:03:13.360 --> 00:03:29.680
nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> Good evening and welcome everyone. Uh Brie, take the roll call, please. >> Mayor King >> present. Council member at large Austin >> present.

5
00:03:29.680 --> 00:03:45.360
>> Council member Waller >> present. >> Council member Baskin >> present. >> Council member Posma >> present. >> Council member Hely >> present. >> Council member Obala >> present. >> Council member Fischer >> present.

6
00:03:45.360 --> 00:04:01.280
>> Mayor King. We have a quorum. >> Thank you Bri. Item number one on the agenda is the adoption of our agenda. >> So vote. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I opposed. >> Motion carries. Item number two is approving our minutes from July 20th. >> All right, Mr. Mayor, do we have to vote? >> Oh, yeah. We probably do. >> Remote person.

7
00:04:01.280 --> 00:04:18.320
>> Laura is uh by by the Zoom. So, yeah, every motion is going to have to be a >> Not that I didn't. >> Thanks for that, Jason. Yeah. Back to the adoption of the agenda. >> Council member Waller. >> I.

8
00:04:18.320 --> 00:04:34.720
>> Council member Baskin. >> I. >> Council member Posma. >> Hi. >> Council member Hely. [clears throat] Should I vote nay just to keep it interesting? [laughter] >> I, >> Council Member Obala, >> I. >> Council member Fischer, >> I. >> Council member at large Austin,

9
00:04:34.720 --> 00:04:50.240
>> I. >> Adoption of the agenda passes. >> Thanks, Bri. Uh, next item is approving our minutes from our July 20th, 2026 meeting. >> So moved. >> Second, >> Bri. >> Council member Waller. >> I.

10
00:04:50.240 --> 00:05:07.199
>> Council member Baskin. >> I. >> Council member Posma. I >> council member Hely >> I >> council member Obala >> I >> council member Fischer >> I >> council member at large Austin >> I >> approval of minutes from July 20th 2026

11
00:05:07.199 --> 00:05:23.680
passes >> thank you keeping it rolling item number three is our consent agenda looking for a motion >> so moved >> second >> council member Waller >> I >> council member Baskin >> I >> council member Posma I

12
00:05:23.680 --> 00:05:38.880
>> council member Heli >> I >> council member Obala >> I >> council member Fischer >> I >> council member at large Austin >> I >> adoption of the consent agenda passes >> uh thank you nothing under recognitions

13
00:05:38.880 --> 00:05:55.039
and awards uh item number five we have a presentation from coalition greater Minnesota cities I had the opportunity to meet the delight delightful presenter today Lily Sakai from League of I'm sorry coalition greater Minnesota >> sitters informed the session some of the themes um that folks were talking about

14
00:05:55.039 --> 00:06:11.280
leading up to session in the beginning of session that kind of led to um what was ended ended up being passed. Um so we continued with a divided government this past session. You know, we still have that 6767 tie in the House. Um the DFL continues to maintain that one seat

15
00:06:11.280 --> 00:06:26.560
majority in the Senate. Um and so ultimately that just causes everything that is negotiated at the capital to be a four-way negotiation between the House GOP. um the House DFL, the Senate DFL, and then the governor's office. Um a lot

16
00:06:26.560 --> 00:06:42.560
of the themes in this year were surrounded around um fraud, guns, um saving HCMC, school safety, and bonding. So, this year it was a bonding year. Um they didn't have to pass any supplemental budget bill. Um but the focus really was on getting a bonding

17
00:06:42.560 --> 00:06:59.919
bill passed. Our tasks at CGMC were really to protect LGA um get a bonding bill passed um leadline funding which was in the bonding bill and then resist that um zoning and development preeemption that we've seen since 2024. I'll get into a little bit more of the

18
00:06:59.919 --> 00:07:15.840
nitty-gritty there um in a second. A little bit about the February forecast. This really sets up the conversation of how much money um the government can spend at the state level if they do any supplemental budgets or even during a budget year um what that budget will look like that they'll have

19
00:07:15.840 --> 00:07:31.520
to pass. As you can see, we did in this um year had a little tiny bit of a surplus of 377 million, but ultimately there is a structural imbalance that the state has um with its uh spending that's going to need to be addressed in the

20
00:07:31.520 --> 00:07:47.680
next um bienium. Um, and we did see some of that kind of play into what was decided um through the budgets that leadership um agreed upon. Um, like I said, it was a non-budget year. Um, there were fiscal challenges really with that limited amount of

21
00:07:47.680 --> 00:08:04.160
spending. We heard from legislators that, you know, please don't ask us for big ticket items unless it's in the bonding bill. Um, and the focus was really on getting that bonding bill passed and any policy items. Um there was a threat in 2025 from the Senate um

22
00:08:04.160 --> 00:08:20.800
uh taxes chair to cut um LGA um by 20 million. Um we thankfully defeated that last year and so we are prepared to continue that conversation this year. Thankfully there was no discussion of cutting LGA. A little bit about bonding. Um so there

23
00:08:20.800 --> 00:08:36.800
was a bonding bill in 2025. Um it was really small. It was local projects only. Um, and you know, uh, bonding bills require 60% majority in order to pass. So, there's a lot of trades off to in order to get it passed. Um, you know, I'll vote for it if you give my, um,

24
00:08:36.800 --> 00:08:54.320
area something, that type of thing. The governor kicked off that conversation um by his uh putting out his budget proposal which really focused on um providing money to heavy uh on stateowned assets capital complex security giving the PFA 99 million BDPI

25
00:08:54.320 --> 00:09:09.519
or the business development [clears throat] um public infrastructure program 2.5 million. he put zero dollars um set aside for local roads and bridges and then local projects set aside that of 35 million that he said you know legislators you can figure that out. That was just the beginning of the

26
00:09:09.519 --> 00:09:24.800
conversation. That's not ultimately what happened. Um so we got in there and we were really focused on making sure that bonding bill passed especially when it came to the lead line replacement funding. So, as you can see, some of our CGMC members um spoke and testified in a

27
00:09:24.800 --> 00:09:39.760
few committees as well as our partners um uh with Lyuna um uh to, you know, emphasize the importance of funding some of uh the stuff in the bonding bill. We did get a bonding bill that passed the ult

28
00:09:39.760 --> 00:09:56.560
passing was about $1.24 billion um from all sources. There was about 400 and some change million for PFA programs um and local water and wastewater grants. 122 million of that um was for grant and loan programs. Local bridges got 25

29
00:09:56.560 --> 00:10:12.560
million. That's undesated so communities like yourselves can access those funds. Um local roads got 47 million and then BDPI only got $2 million. Unfortunately, that's going to only be like two projects. But um unlike 2025, there were millions in um local projects that were

30
00:10:12.560 --> 00:10:29.839
funded around the state. That brings me to we made a separate section for the lead le service lines because it's a huge thing. And I did look at um the map. It doesn't seem like Austin has a ton of lead lines. Um but you know, each community is different. I know like Brainer had has hundreds, but some communities have none. So it really

31
00:10:29.839 --> 00:10:45.440
depends. Um we wanted to really, you know, continue the momentum that came in 2023 when they invested $240 million around the state to replace those lead lines. Um because we have to meet that 2037 EPA deadline to remove all of those

32
00:10:45.440 --> 00:11:02.880
lead service lines. Um in the initial inventory, they identified 87,000 um lead lines statewide. There's still about 200,000 that still need to be identified. We anticipate that about 10% of those will be um lead lines and need to be replaced. Um that total cost

33
00:11:02.880 --> 00:11:20.480
estimate was $1.5 billion. And you know, our big push at CGMC was to really um continue that uh momentum of getting those funds um because we're worried if there's not enough of the infusion of dollars for this um the leadline replacement that it puts that um

34
00:11:20.480 --> 00:11:36.079
construction season um in peril because uh folks that work on those lead lines will go to other states that are willing to invest more money to do those leadline replacements. Um our original ask this year was 250 million. um that didn't uh come to fruition, not the

35
00:11:36.079 --> 00:11:51.200
total amount. Um and then also I've provided um uh staff here the um presentation and so if you want to look at the inventory map of where those lead lines are or are not um the U of M um has a great map um that you can access

36
00:11:51.200 --> 00:12:08.320
there. So, as you can see here, there's uh Bradley Peterson um executive director of CGMC um with all of the um bonding chairs um with on a press conference talking about um you know, the need for leadline um funding.

37
00:12:08.320 --> 00:12:24.880
Ultimately, like I mentioned earlier, when it comes to a bonding bill, because you need 60% of folks to vote for that bill, it's a lot of, you know, tradeoffs of, you know, we'll vote for this if you give me this amount. And so ultimately um the lead lines only got 15 million which is um not a lot compared to what

38
00:12:24.880 --> 00:12:41.519
was funded in 2023. Um and ultimately what we're going to look for in this next year is um uh some sort of dedicated funding source. Um so we don't have to rely on the you know whatifs of a bonding bill because it's also you know getting 60% of folks to vote for it

39
00:12:41.519 --> 00:12:57.519
is also a big whatif. Then getting into housing and zoning. And I'm sure you have all heard of this in the past few years. It's been an ongoing conversation that advocates continue to bring to the legislature. Um in 24 they introduced uh a package

40
00:12:57.519 --> 00:13:13.519
called the missing middle. Um in 25 they called it guest to homes and this past year they called it the Starter Home Act. Um they're all, you know, a little bit different from each other but have similar elements. Um and this year's package um really was going to require

41
00:13:13.519 --> 00:13:29.519
um preempting of aesthetic and material standards um of o HOAs and then requiring accessory dwelling units um in any size city. And then they kind of um built some requirements based on the larger that your city gets. So, for

42
00:13:29.519 --> 00:13:44.480
cities over 5,000, they were going to require um up to four units on 33% of areas zoned to single family, not allowing any um minimum lot sizes that are greater than an eighth of an acre in green field areas, and then allowing um

43
00:13:44.480 --> 00:14:00.720
or requiring multif family housing in 33% of areas zoned as commercial. And then for um cities over 10,000, we um they made this kind of choose your own adventure situation where you would choose six of the 10 things in the bill.

44
00:14:00.720 --> 00:14:16.639
Um so for those cities of first, second, and third class, they you know must pick those additional choices and they get points for it. So it would include things like parking minimums, additional upzoning and single family zones, um allowing multif family and commercial zones, and the creation of housing trust

45
00:14:16.639 --> 00:14:32.320
funds and other housing subsidy programs. Um, and we've talked to our members. We know how unpopular um, this preeemption stuff is with you all. You as community members know um, what's best for your community, especially when it comes to housing um, in greater Minnesota.

46
00:14:32.320 --> 00:14:48.160
Unfortunately, around the first week of session, the League of Minnesota Cities um, dropped active opposition to the bill, which meant they were like, we're not going to support or oppose it. Um thankfully um us at CGMC, our friends at the Metro Cities and the Municipal

47
00:14:48.160 --> 00:15:03.839
Legislative Commission, which are some [clears throat] of the metro suburbs, um continue to oppose that bill, um in the House. It was ultimately defeated in the uh Gov Ops Committee. You can see Bradley um Peterson here testifying um in that committee with our great

48
00:15:03.839 --> 00:15:20.880
handydandy housing packet. Um and there was ultimately no hearing in the Senate. Um, but we do expect advocates and legislators to bring back some version of this in 2027. Any questions before I get into looking

49
00:15:20.880 --> 00:15:39.440
ahead? [cough] Um, so we have an election coming up. Um, the primary is on August 11th. Um, the governor's race is up in November. Um, all of the 201 legislative seats are up. Um there's I think 43 retirements

50
00:15:39.440 --> 00:15:54.639
between the House and the Senate. Um so we're really anticipating doing a lot of education between election and um when uh session starts in January because we work on a ton of issues and we want to make sure um that these new legislators

51
00:15:54.639 --> 00:16:10.240
that are getting elected know about um all the issues that the CGMC and our members really care about and that they're you know know about those things. We do have a candidate packet. um mayor, you may have seen that at the conference earlier um this month. Um so

52
00:16:10.240 --> 00:16:26.240
we have a candidate packet really detailing all the issues that we work on at CGMC um with our you know members input as well and we plan on giving that to um folks after the uh primaries come August. [snorts] Um

53
00:16:26.240 --> 00:16:42.399
and then upcoming events, we already had the summer conference. I know I saw some of you there. Thank you so much for coming. Um we have the fall conference in November in weight park. Highly encourage you all to come. Um you know that's when the policy agendas are decided. Um and then we already actually have the legislative action day at the

54
00:16:42.399 --> 00:16:59.480
capital which will be February 10th in um in St. Paul. Um any questions here before I'm going to talk a little bit about GMP really quick. Um but anything else about this presentation?

55
00:16:59.759 --> 00:17:14.720
Lily, any I [clears throat] mean as you look forward with LGA, it's obviously not a conversation this year. Do you anticipate going into 27 conversations around either like risks to it or another conversation about, you know, whether it goes up? Obviously Austin,

56
00:17:14.720 --> 00:17:30.640
you know, big chunk of our budget comes from LGA. So having kind of an idea of flat, potentially higher, potentially lower helps us as we go through some of our budget stuff. >> I don't think there's going to be conversations, knock on wood, about um cutting it. Um there will be a lot of new folks to educate. So Fresh Faces

57
00:17:30.640 --> 00:17:46.640
will you know hopefully uh heed our call of not cutting LGA, but the member that um you know wanted to cut it um last year is is retiring. And so we're not going to see that person at the legislature anymore um you know I think there is probably going to be talks

58
00:17:46.640 --> 00:18:02.080
within membership to uh possibly increase that. We'll see what that looks like come the November conference and what members decide. >> Thanks. Any other questions? >> I think to your uh piece on educating

59
00:18:02.080 --> 00:18:17.440
the legislators and at the [clears throat] conference that Kendall calls uh was there and he never heard of LGA. So that was a little bit concerning. So there is a need for the education. I appreciate what you guys do for that. >> Very much so. And I'll just touch on I

60
00:18:17.440 --> 00:18:34.559
know Brienne mentioned earlier that you guys are going to be talking about the Greater Minnesota Partnership Group which is a I'll just kind of give a brief overview. It's a spin-off of CGMC. It brings together um cities um HASS, EDAS, um businesses and nonprofits all

61
00:18:34.559 --> 00:18:50.799
come together around a variety of issues around child care, housing, um infrastructure, economic development programs. Um, and then this past year, what uh GMP really worked on was the greater Minnesota inf uh housing infrastructure. And so that's for

62
00:18:50.799 --> 00:19:06.640
workforce housing. They got $14.3 million passed. Um, and so that won't be in this round of funding from um Minnesota housing, but it will be in the next round of funding for Minnesota housing. Um, they also work on encouraging um the BDPI program to

63
00:19:06.640 --> 00:19:21.440
increase funding for that. um the Teddy program um the infrastructure funding and then um also child care funding. I know there's newsletters that go out and whatnot. Um my colleague Dariel really leads on that. So if you have any

64
00:19:21.440 --> 00:19:40.640
questions um that I cannot answer, I uh will direct her to you. >> Thank you, Lily. Appreciate you coming down. Uh hope you have an enjoyable trip back and we always look forward to our kind of a a day with uh coalition going to come down here. Thank you

65
00:19:40.640 --> 00:20:03.200
>> so much. >> All right, moving on to item number uh six under bids and awards we have the wastewater treatment plant EQ digtor cover number two recoding project. Steven one second >> as we get this get our agenda pulled

66
00:20:03.200 --> 00:20:20.960
back up here. >> Thanks for coming out. >> Yeah, thanks for having me. It's a [clears throat] nonprofit side of the social. >> All right. So, this item before you tonight is related to um the EQ digtor

67
00:20:20.960 --> 00:20:37.280
codings project that was bid on June 11th. Bids were received with two biders bidding the project. Wopshot Construction was the low bidder at 1,723,000. Champion Codings was second at $2,369,000.

68
00:20:37.280 --> 00:20:54.159
Our engineers estimate on the project was 1.3 million. So bids came in considerably above our estimate. And before you tonight are those numbers also dating back to other projects that have been done recently at the treatment plant regarding these uh digesttors with

69
00:20:54.159 --> 00:21:10.880
coatings and covers and things like that. And our recommendation tonight is to reject all bids and we will review this project again in the future. So that would be our recommendation to council. >> All right. Thank you, Stephen. Council, any questions? Mr. Lang Otherwise looking for resolution on 6A.

70
00:21:10.880 --> 00:21:32.480
>> Move to reject the bids. >> Second. [clears throat] >> Bri. >> Council member Waller. >> I. >> Council member Baskin. >> I. >> Council member Posma. >> I. >> Council member Hely.

71
00:21:32.480 --> 00:21:47.440
>> I. >> Council member Obala. >> I. Council member Fischer. >> I. >> Council member at large Austin. >> I. >> Resolution passes 70. >> Thank you, Brian. Item number seven is flood hazard mitigation asbestous abatement at two properties, 210 4th

72
00:21:47.440 --> 00:22:03.440
Street Northeast and 500 Oakland Avenue East. Stephen, >> we had a number of biders on this project and the low bidder was Sterling Systems, Inc. Their total base bid amount was $84,180

73
00:22:03.440 --> 00:22:20.000
and bids ranged all the way up to Mavo Systems at $247,450. So a wide range of bids on the project, but you can see there was a second bidder that was quite close to the low bidder that was 12 environmental at $85,251.

74
00:22:20.000 --> 00:22:36.159
So each of these contractors look at these projects differently when it comes to the amount of work necessary to abate the asbestous and complete the environmental work. And so a lot of times their bids can range based on um [clears throat] how they look at the project, what their staffing is and

75
00:22:36.159 --> 00:22:52.320
their other workloads with other projects that they need to complete. Uh we do have a grant that will fund uh up to 50% of the work on this project. That's a that is a flood hazard mitigation grant. The remaining funds will be covered with our local option

76
00:22:52.320 --> 00:23:10.159
sales tax and we would recommend awarding this bid to Sterling Systems Inc. >> Very good. Thank you, Stephen. Council, any questions? >> Looking for resolution? It's all moved. >> Second. >> Free. >> Council member Waller. >> I.

77
00:23:10.159 --> 00:23:25.600
>> Council member Baskin. >> I. >> Council member Posma. >> I. Council member Hely. >> I. >> Council member Obala. >> I. >> Council member Fischer. >> I. >> Council member at large Austin. >> I. >> Resolution passes 70.

78
00:23:25.600 --> 00:23:43.280
>> Very good. Thanks, Bri. Under petitions and request, item number eight is uh exempt non-union healthcare savings plan participation amendment. Trish. >> Good evening, mayor and council. uh before you tonight is uh to consider changes to the HCSP contribution for

79
00:23:43.280 --> 00:24:01.200
nonUN non-exempt employees. Um this comes up periodically for a variety of groups. There's no cost to the city for this. This is the employees um dollars or unused sick leave or unused vacation that goes into this HCSP at retirement. Uh so before you is a change to this for

80
00:24:01.200 --> 00:24:18.159
non-union um exempt employees. Very >> good. Thanks, Trish. Council, any questions? Looking for resolution. >> So move. [clears throat and cough] >> Second. >> Three. >> Council member Waller. >> I.

81
00:24:18.159 --> 00:24:33.039
>> Council member Baskin. >> I. >> Council member Posma. >> Hi. >> Council member Hely. >> Hi. >> Council member Obala. >> I. >> Council member Fischer.

82
00:24:33.039 --> 00:24:50.159
>> Hi. Council member at large Austin >> I. >> Resolution passes 70. >> Thank you. Bri item number nine is approving our 2026 2028 labor agreement and memorandum of agreement with the International Association of Firefighters. Trish. >> So before you tonight is um request to

83
00:24:50.159 --> 00:25:06.400
approve the agreement with IIAFF for 2026, 2027 and 2028. The terms of the agreement are very similar to uh the agreements that have come come before you already this year. uh covering the wages for the 26, 27,

84
00:25:06.400 --> 00:25:23.039
and 28, uh sick leave provisions, um new vacation policy. There are some unique things uh to IFFF for assisting inspector pay and EMT pay, but otherwise um this uh resembles many of the other

85
00:25:23.039 --> 00:25:38.799
agreements we had and this would be number six of our eight labor agreements. >> Excellent. Thanks, Trish. Council, any questions on this? Looking for resolution? So moved. >> Second. >> Three, please. >> Council member Waller.

86
00:25:38.799 --> 00:25:53.600
>> Hi. >> Council member Baskin. >> Hi. >> Council member Postma. >> Hi. >> Council member Hely. >> I. >> Council member Obala. >> I. >> Council member Fischer. >> Hi. >> Council member at large Austin. >> I.

87
00:25:53.600 --> 00:26:09.279
>> Resolution passes 70. >> Thank you. Item number 10 is an ICM agreement uh with Envision Cold, formerly Minnesota Freezer Warehouse. Stephen, >> yes. This is just a name change. We bring these to you periodically. These ICM agreements regulate the wastewater

88
00:26:09.279 --> 00:26:26.320
flow from a particular business. In this case, this is a little bit different where um Envision Cold, formerly Minnesota Freezer Warehouse, we have an agreement with them to meter their water that goes down the sanitary sewer and uh because

89
00:26:26.320 --> 00:26:41.600
they have a lot of water that is lost to evaporation through their chillers. So, with this uh the agreement is the same. It is just a name change with the new ownership of the facility. So, we'd recommend approval. >> Excellent. Thanks, Stephen. Council, any

90
00:26:41.600 --> 00:26:57.600
questions? Nope. Move to approve. >> Second. >> Bri. [clears throat] >> Council member Waller. >> I. >> Council member Baskin. >> Hi. >> Council member Posma. >> I. >> Council member Hely.

91
00:26:57.600 --> 00:27:12.880
>> I. >> Council member Obala. >> I. >> Council member Fischer. >> I. >> Council member Large Austin. >> I. >> Resolution passes 70. >> Thank you. Moving item number 11 uh is a resolution uh for Murphy Creek Meadows change order. Stephen,

92
00:27:12.880 --> 00:27:30.799
>> so the H recently acquired the Murphy Creek Meadows, which is a development that started in the mid 2000s and it was set up for town homes on 24th Avenue Northwest. uh the development struggled for many years and the HR is now looking to uh

93
00:27:30.799 --> 00:27:46.400
build town homes in that area and part of the project involves completing the public infrastructure work that was never completed by the original developer. So the HA has worked with a local contractor that does a lot of our street reconstruction projects, Yulen

94
00:27:46.400 --> 00:28:04.880
Brothers. Uh we together have worked with the HA to indicate what work needs to be completed as part of the development agreement. Before you tonight is a change order where uh in the amount of $59,772.84 where the city would enter into a change

95
00:28:04.880 --> 00:28:22.240
order with the contractor. This is the same contractor that has all of our street reconstruction um projects for this year. We would do a change order to that contract where we would add these quantities and pay amounts. Then the work would get completed this fall and then we would pay the

96
00:28:22.240 --> 00:28:38.399
contractor for the work and then we would get reimbursed from the H because ultimately it is the H's responsibility to complete this infrastructure now that they have taken over the development agreement from the previous property owner. So with that, we would recommend council approval of this change order,

97
00:28:38.399 --> 00:28:56.640
which will ultimately be reimbursed back to the city by the HA. >> Very good. Thanks, Stephen. Council, any questions? >> Move to approve. >> Second. >> Bri, >> Council Member Waller, >> I. >> Council member Baskin, >> I. >> Council member Postma,

98
00:28:56.640 --> 00:29:12.480
>> I. >> Council member Hely, >> I. >> Council member Obala, >> I. Council member Fischer. >> I. >> Council member at large Austin. >> I. >> Resolution passes 70. >> Thank item number 12 is a motion granting the planning and zoning department the power to contract removal

99
00:29:12.480 --> 00:29:28.000
of junk and or legally stored vehicles at the following location. 204 2nd Avenue Southwest the Endright property. No motion. >> Second. >> Bri. >> Council member Waller. >> I. >> Council member Baskin. >> I. >> Council member Postma. >> I.

100
00:29:28.000 --> 00:29:45.039
>> Council member Hely. >> I. Council member Obala, >> I. >> Council member Fischer, >> I. >> Council member at large Austin. >> I. >> Motion passes for removal of junk. >> Very good. Thank you, Bri. And moving on to citizens addressing the counselors. Any citizens in the chambers wishing to

101
00:29:45.039 --> 00:29:59.919
speak with council on items that weren't on the agenda? >> Tom, you don't have 53 things you want to. >> Absolutely none. [laughter] >> Thank you. >> All right. Um, reports and recommendations.

102
00:29:59.919 --> 00:30:15.360
Dave, have anything from >> city administration or department heads? >> None. >> A lot but nothing right. >> Okay. [laughter] >> All right. Good. Sounds good. Uh on to city council members. Paul, >> nothing your honor. >> Thank you. Obala.

103
00:30:15.360 --> 00:30:31.760
>> Um I want to thanks all the uh police and sheriff for the work they have done today. We had an active shooting in the in the city. So we've been monitoring it. So great job. So everyone is safe. So the panic is down now. So, thank you for all the work you you're doing every

104
00:30:31.760 --> 00:30:47.760
day. >> Thanks, Jeff. Oh, I'm sorry. Let's go Laura. She's on the Laura. >> Yeah, just a reminder everybody to vote in the primary and thanks to our election judges who will make that happen. >> Thank you, Laura. Jeff.

105
00:30:47.760 --> 00:31:03.760
>> Uh, nothing your honor. >> Mike, uh, just a couple quick things. Uh, from the Austin H. Excited that this year's Riverland buildhouse is on the market. So, if you are interested in a brand new house, uh, that is on the market and we're excited they are adding

106
00:31:03.760 --> 00:31:20.000
more houses to Austin while training future construction folks. It's just such a great program. [snorts] Um, and then from the Discover Austin board, uh, excited to announce that they will be moving locations at the end of this month. Uh, they have purchased the

107
00:31:20.000 --> 00:31:35.120
building directly across the little oneway from the Spam Museum. Uh, I think it says Edward Jones on it now. possibly. And so, um, you'll you might even see a large group of teenagers walking boxes down the sidewalk at the

108
00:31:35.120 --> 00:31:51.679
end of August. So, um, NY's got a lot of great ideas as to how we're going to be able to use that new space and location to do even more to promote Austin. So, I'm excited for that. >> There'll be old people helping, too, because there's lunch provided. >> Oh, there you go. [snorts]

109
00:31:51.679 --> 00:32:07.440
>> Um, no. Only thing, um, Chief Hartman, thank you to you and the rest of the law enforcement community. I think, you know, knowing that there's just a tremendous amount of confidence that as dangerous situations arise that you guys have a handle on it. I thought you did a very nice job of communicating with it in a timely fashion and obviously

110
00:32:07.440 --> 00:32:23.440
ultimately resolving peacefully the situation. So, thank you to you and your team for all that great work. >> Very good. Thanks, Jason. Becky, >> nothing. >> Thank you. I just have a about three or so announcements here. I just want to read the August anniversaries uh of our city employees. So we got Kristen Olsson

111
00:32:23.440 --> 00:32:39.679
from the library 25 years. Josh Kunzie with fire 12 years. Hans Gilbert fire 12 years. Julie Kleinfelter congratulations Julie 12 years at the library. Luke Reese nature center 10 years. Emily Sulttus at the library nine years. Jeremy Mason sewer maintenance nine

112
00:32:39.679 --> 00:32:55.600
years. Joe Johnson street maintenance eight years. Ryan Mason facilities and buildings maintenance eight years. Craig Hegy, wastewater treatment plant, three years. Owen Smith, sewer maintenance, two years. and Ian Caruso with fire one year. Uh, also want to uh call

113
00:32:55.600 --> 00:33:11.519
everybody's attention to the retirement of Todd, the big beefy boy, captain of our police department is going to be retiring his last days August 14th. And uh there will be a celebration and lunch for him here at city council chambers 11:30 a.m. to 1. Uh everybody's welcome

114
00:33:11.519 --> 00:33:26.480
to join us. And we're going to miss Todd. I'm going to miss him as a a chief or captain of our PD plus a neighbor because he's moving out so up north. So we're going to miss Todd. Please come on August 14th, 11:30. Also, we have an employee appreciation breakfast moving back to a breakfast at the senior

115
00:33:26.480 --> 00:33:42.000
center. We did that some years ago. And it's always neat to have the council wait on the folks. So, uh please come if you want to pour orange juice or ask anybody how their first few bites are. All those things are important. So, please come to the employee appreciation breakfast 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at

116
00:33:42.000 --> 00:33:58.320
Senior Center on August 26th. Uh with that, looking for a motion to adjurnn. >> You know, mayor, I I did forget one thing. I forgot to offer my condolences on you getting bounced in the second round of the Putinham spelling be at the Somerset Theater. Only made it second

117
00:33:58.320 --> 00:34:14.639
round, but he gave a good effort. >> And in paper, >> I would have done a lot better. I think TJ Lynch, he got out bounced in the second round the night after, too. So, it can happen. [clears throat] There's some nerves up there in the stage. >> Oh, I I bet >> that was a very well done deal. And your daughter did a beautiful job of setting that up and getting those folks to come

118
00:34:14.639 --> 00:34:30.879
up and volunteer and and be embarrassed. But yeah, that was a well done production if anybody hopefully everybody got a chance to see it. If not, you missed a good one. So yeah, thanks for that posty. Really appreciate that a lot. Wanted to make sure you got >> get those in the minutes, Bri. >> Sure. We've got it captured. >> You don't know how many times I I heavy

119
00:34:30.879 --> 00:34:48.800
side all week and weekend about that affordability. You got to [snorts] anyway looking for a motion to adjurnn. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Bri. >> Council member Waller. >> I. >> Council member Baskin. I >> council member Posma

120
00:34:48.800 --> 00:35:03.920
>> I >> council member Hely >> I >> council member Obala >> I >> council member Fischer >> I >> council member Large Austin >> I >> meeting is adjourned >> very good thank you and we're going to stay live uh because Laura's on the zoom and we'll just either way if there's I

121
00:35:03.920 --> 00:35:18.240
don't know if there's sandwiches over there or not but we'll we'll go as soon as we can onto the work session I don't know if Marty has even to back up anything >> maybe just take about three or four minutes.

122
00:35:18.240 --> 00:35:54.119
>> This bundling is that >> he was three years. >> He went that way. >> That's nice. Thanks for passing that along. Yeah. I mean, >> we had one month that was $3,000 less than we got paid. >> Correct.

123
00:36:01.359 --> 00:36:23.320
>> I guess really torn. I mean, they're all they're all 15s a month. >> What month is this through? Do you know? >> Okay. They're all eight. So this doesn't have any for 2026 >> that it's 26.

124
00:36:26.720 --> 00:36:47.359
>> Okay. >> Yeah, I think it was April time that was down like this. I talked with Nancy after our meeting again like April I think was the month that was down three grand. The other months were all down. So that was 20%.

125
00:36:47.359 --> 00:37:28.839
The other months were all down 3 to 5%. just to make sure that we'll figure something. >> We have work to do. >> Yeah, I know. It's crazy. I'll do I'm gonna open both of these but I'll open >> it might be

126
00:37:30.800 --> 00:37:47.920
>> I'll actually >> and then you got the budget discussion >> I'm going to open it up turn it over to Emily and then the staff and then I do >> this one will be brief >> I was pretty happy though I got out there I heard it come And I'm like, "Oh, this car, if we find

127
00:37:47.920 --> 00:38:05.079
the car, the car's not going to stop." And so I quick ran out of the office, put my vest on, >> and then sure enough, they said, "Not stop." >> I knew. Yeah. >> I'm moving. I'm like, I'm getting in on this bad boy. So this week they're giving

128
00:38:08.320 --> 00:38:29.599
Walmart >> just finding more seats. They put them out. I'm like, >> you know, Jeff called me. He's like, "Hey, do you want me to come back?" I'm like, "Honestly, I don't think I have a car for you." I'm like, "You can come back, but you have to walk everywhere.

129
00:38:29.599 --> 00:39:07.599
Like I got no room for you, dude. >> I don't know what they got. >> Got a couple more things for tomorrow, too. >> All right, we are ready. We'll wait for Jeff. >> Marty's got us all with the thumbs up. So, we're gonna move on to our work

130
00:39:07.599 --> 00:39:32.480
session. And the first item is a Hormile Foundation grant review. And I think we got our voting in. Tom, do you want to say anything? Or Bri, both of you, I guess. >> Yeah. It's already done, huh? >> Um, yes. The foundation requests are due

131
00:39:32.480 --> 00:39:48.960
in um August 21st. Um, you have a council meeting you in two weeks that we can hit submit on, but Marie passed out ahead of time all the rankings and she was able to put them all together. And council member Hely did abstain from voting since there's a possibility she

132
00:39:48.960 --> 00:40:04.720
might end up going after one of these grants. um when it's all said and done and we'll rank these and we'll get them out to you, but it appears the Todd Park ball fields were number

133
00:40:04.720 --> 00:40:19.520
one. Riverside Arena improvements too 70 75 Cedar River Whitewater project design and HR property acquisition were the top

134
00:40:19.520 --> 00:40:35.520
ones. Um, but again, we will submit unless there's uh any requests from council, we will submit all of these uh at the next council meeting for official approval. Again, they'll go into the foundation for review. The contributions committee has three meetings set up where they will review these. And yes,

135
00:40:35.520 --> 00:40:52.079
your ranking does count because when it comes down to the end of the how much money is left over from everybody's allocation, there might be a project in here that they could squeeze in that wasn't a high priority but still made the made the cut. So, that being said, um Bri, if you we'll send that out to

136
00:40:52.079 --> 00:41:07.280
you so everybody can see it and that was what we'll base the council agenda on for uh Monday in two weeks. >> Very good. Thank you. I think this might be the first year we didn't get a tutorial on which was number one 15 or one. >> Will say I will say

137
00:41:07.280 --> 00:41:24.400
>> well we were supposed to [laughter] >> Yeah, one was my highest. >> You're in the headlights like oh I'm not saying anything. Um, I will say your 15 requests are at the high end of probably any of the 10 organizations. Um, dollar amounts roughly the same as last year,

138
00:41:24.400 --> 00:41:40.880
so that's good. And we've been 9 12 applications, 15 this year. We might want to look in future years to pair them down a little bit. Um, they'll get over 110 applications for the contributions committee to look at. So, we like to get some of the basic ones in. >> Very good.

139
00:41:40.880 --> 00:42:05.920
>> Thank you. appreciate your time and the votes and uh we'll take this to them for a a decision. >> Very good. Thanks, Thomas. >> Thanks, Tom. >> Item number two, 2027, budget discussion. David, see you tomorrow again. Mayor, members of the council, this is

140
00:42:05.920 --> 00:42:22.240
the first um first public conversation we have on the 2027 budget this evening. I'm going to set the stage to be very efficient here in my opening comments. I want to kind of lay the groundwork and I'm going to turn it over to Emily. Emilyy's going to get a little bit more into the presentation materials that are

141
00:42:22.240 --> 00:42:36.800
in your packet. They're going to turn it over to our team for briefings and presentations. We're going to essentially do the same thing in two weeks. uh probably not without me setting the stage and Emily may have some more information or something that she might want to and we're going to get

142
00:42:36.800 --> 00:42:52.960
into it uh in in full force on August 24th. So my my conversations for context I've said it a couple times and I put it in my update the other day is that uh it's a fascinating experience to do this after decades of doing public sector budgeting but coming into an organization that I'm relatively

143
00:42:52.960 --> 00:43:08.880
unfamiliar with with five of the nine senior leaders doing it for the first time together with us. And it's not because some of them don't have a lot of experience in the organizations. It's just that they're relatively new in the position, but it's certainly a a team effort in and a total team effort here.

144
00:43:08.880 --> 00:43:24.880
And we're going to do successfully well and exceed your expectations at the end of the day. I'm very confident of that. Um the packet includes a template. Uh Emily created a either had it before or used it before, a template that we're going to structure each one of the department heads presentations around.

145
00:43:24.880 --> 00:43:40.960
It includes goals. It includes accomplishments. includes some highlevel financial information. It also included in your packet the spreadsheets, the spreadsheets of each one of the departments. It is not our intention to get into those spreadsheets this evening or in two weeks. However, they're there

146
00:43:40.960 --> 00:43:56.960
because you obviously want to see them or potentially look at them. And if you have done that and you have any questions, clearly our team is ready to answer those questions, but they're still preliminary at this point in time. Nothing is final with respect to uh uh to the budget. We're still working with

147
00:43:56.960 --> 00:44:12.079
the department heads on capital requests, some operating requests. We're waiting for some fund balance information. As you know, Tom, who is here, has been helping us with the 2025 audit. We should have the the general fund balance, but that shortly. We're working on identifying the building fund

148
00:44:12.079 --> 00:44:28.319
balances. So, some of the tools that we may use to support the 2027 budget, the data and the final numbers aren't available today, but they will be in a couple weeks when we're ready to talk about it. It's our intention to present to the city council a preliminary levy recommendation on August 24th. So,

149
00:44:28.319 --> 00:44:44.160
you're going to see in your schedule that you have uh that we've identified that date in all of the communications that we've had with you prior, but now we can say with some confidence that we're going to use that date to present that recommendation. Uh we I met with Emily today at 4:00 when I came in and

150
00:44:44.160 --> 00:44:59.200
we're going to share with the staff tomorrow at our staff meeting at 11 kind of the roadmap to get us there beginning today beginning tomorrow eventually. to uh uh August 21st when the packet is ready to go and then our presentation on the on the 24th. We're going to include

151
00:44:59.200 --> 00:45:14.800
in that some comparisons with some peers, some data analysis, and some graphs that you're going to see that tells our story that tells the Austin story, and I'll refer to that in a second. This morning, I reached out to Dr. Paige and uh the county administrator. I asked them where they

152
00:45:14.800 --> 00:45:31.440
might be going with their preliminary levy, and each one said, "We don't know yet." Uh, now if they do, they certainly weren't in a position to let me know and I respected that. Then they in turn asked me, "Well, what is the city of Boston going to do?" And I said, "I don't know yet. Ask me in a couple weeks." [laughter] So, I'm kind of hoping that on August

153
00:45:31.440 --> 00:45:48.000
24th, I will have a better feel for what those two jurisdictions are doing. Uh, obviously because we're the three that make up the biggest chunk of the the residents tax. I'm also I reached out to Matthew and I wanted to collect this information the average value home which is easy to find in the city of Austin but I also want to use a 10020 and

154
00:45:48.000 --> 00:46:03.440
$300,000 home value and then I want to see what the distribution of the property tax statement is from the city the county the school and then any other taxing jurisdiction that might be within this you know it's in this community HR or whatever else might be so part of that is going to be what we're going to

155
00:46:03.440 --> 00:46:18.720
share with you in the 24th just from some data comparison purposes but also the preliminary levby recommendation. What What does that mean for our operations, for our capital, and for our programs? I want two other things, and I'll turn it over to Emily. One, [clears throat] and and this kind of

156
00:46:18.720 --> 00:46:34.560
goes with my experience. The budget is more than a preliminary levy. It's more than a final levy, right? I know that's the decision that a council has to make that's public, that's noticeable, that people react to, that people respond to, but it really should be the a document,

157
00:46:34.560 --> 00:46:50.720
and I'll say this for the second time tonight, that tells the story of what the city of Austin does for the community in in in in this city. And in just in the two months I've been here, I've received a whole handful of emails from Dr. Paige about what's happening in the public schools. And I don't read all

158
00:46:50.720 --> 00:47:06.319
of them because some of them are too nuanced for me to know because I don't have any kids in the district. But many of them really deal with what's the public school system doing? What do how are we responding? What are we doing? And and I'm not suggesting that emails from the the mayor, the the city administrator is the way to approach

159
00:47:06.319 --> 00:47:22.319
that. But what I'm suggesting to you is that he's telling the school story continuously and all the time. And as I think about who's telling the city of Austin story, nobody that I know of right now. Right. Now, that doesn't mean to suggest we're going to recommend a communication staff person. In fact,

160
00:47:22.319 --> 00:47:38.720
probably not, right? But we have to think about the the story we tell to our residents as it relates to all what we do, flooding, and the things that Stephen and people get involved in, the law enforcement, all public safety, but also about the financial aspect of what the city does. And we'll talk more about

161
00:47:38.720 --> 00:47:54.880
that in a couple weeks. It's also the most important policy document that a city council has that sends the message about what are our priorities and what are our goals and what are our strategies. So, we want to talk about some of that tonight when you hear the presentations from our team about what

162
00:47:54.880 --> 00:48:11.440
they're doing because really a budget is a manifestation of action on behalf of the staff that does the work that you identify levels of funding for. It's not just about 7% or 8% 9%. It's about well what do we do with that money? So, we decided to tell begin to tell that story really with what you're going to hear

163
00:48:11.440 --> 00:48:27.359
from Stephen and others tonight about what our accomplishments, what our goals are. Um, and the last thing I want to do is I want to just say thank you to the staff. So, all the people in this room here for the patience you have with with me for example and and Emily who's relatively

164
00:48:27.359 --> 00:48:42.800
new at this, they have interesting budget meetings. Each one was different. you try to map out as here's the what we want to accomplish and with with you know the chief two chiefs being new interim chiefs being new they were just they were unique conversations right but we're going to get to the end pretty

165
00:48:42.800 --> 00:48:58.079
easily so the coun the staff council members are very aware of the fiscal culture this organization has very aware of that secondly they're very conscious of the council's role and position it's clear you know when they when we we walked into my office we started talking

166
00:48:58.079 --> 00:49:13.200
about it they get that but they also care deeply about the level and value of their service. They care deeply about the level and value of their service and what a budget allows them to do or not to do. And we talked about, well, we might not do that next year, but you

167
00:49:13.200 --> 00:49:30.240
should talk about it with the council because the council needs to know you think that is a priority. The last thing I have to say then is um is is the opportunity for the staff to come and talk to you about what they need and

168
00:49:30.240 --> 00:49:46.319
what they want to do and how they serve the public is an important opportunity for these professionals to share their experience. You know, there's a role for me, there's a role for the finance director, but most importantly, there's a role for your team members to talk about what they do because they're so proud of what they do in this city and community and

169
00:49:46.319 --> 00:50:02.559
they're good at what they do. With that, I'm going to turn it over to to Emily to kind of take us through the basic elements of the PowerPoint. And I think Stephen's the first director up. >> Yes. Yeah. If we need to adjust, I can adjust accord. >> All his money goes to the second one.

170
00:50:02.559 --> 00:50:18.160
>> Thank you, Dave. Good evening, Mayor and Council. Um, like Dave said, uh, tonight is really just about painting a picture of what our 2027 budget uh, proposals are going to look like. We really want to emphasize um the goals and

171
00:50:18.160 --> 00:50:34.880
achievements throughout the years and kind of put a dollar amount to those um to show you where taxpayer dollars are actually going and how it's helping the community. Um I'm not sure how much you dove into the PowerPoint that was in the packet, but uh the first set of slides

172
00:50:34.880 --> 00:50:51.440
is just kind of going to be a recap of the 2026 budget overview. Um this first slide is the certified levy which came in at a little over 10.5 which is an important number to keep in mind as we move forward.

173
00:50:51.440 --> 00:51:09.680
Um this graphic along with the next graphic just illustrates a breakdown of each tax dollar for that 10.5 million. Um it's a good illustration of where it goes and kind of uh puts a little more to certain areas uh like library port

174
00:51:09.680 --> 00:51:26.400
authority capital improvements and the general fund. Um and as we get further into it we'll break those out a little bit more but this just kind of gives you a high level level overview of those tax dollars and how they are broken down. The [clears throat] next slide is uh the

175
00:51:26.400 --> 00:51:44.160
roughly similar um and it dives in a little deeper, a little more with the public safety, highways, capital projects, parks and wreck. This just gives you a visual to kind of put with the dollar amount as we move forward. And again, this is the 2026 breakdown.

176
00:51:44.160 --> 00:51:58.960
So that way you can see where the every dollar that comes in where it goes to. And if you have any questions during the presentation, just stop me and we can uh address those as they arise.

177
00:51:58.960 --> 00:52:16.640
This is just a basic overview um of how we calculate that levy. And um just kind of to give you an idea, I'm sure everybody is well aware of how this happens. Um this is just more of a visual to kind of emphasize, you know, what 1% actually looks like going

178
00:52:16.640 --> 00:52:33.760
forward. And then uh in the presentation earlier this evening during the council meeting LGA was [clears throat] discussed. I was able to find on the state's website that there is a potential increase of roughly 39,000. That is unofficial right now.

179
00:52:33.760 --> 00:52:50.720
That has not been approved. Um but that is definitely a a good change from last year um roughly around this time [clears throat] where it was potentially being cut. So, um, again, not finalized, but if that is our official dollar

180
00:52:50.720 --> 00:53:07.040
amount moving forward, um, in the coming months, that is a pleasant relief as opposed to last year. Um, we also do not have the police and fire state aid calculations. Those are usually done in September. So those are two outliers

181
00:53:07.040 --> 00:53:24.400
that um as we move through the process they will be a factor in the budget and we will want to keep those in mind as we move forward. So budget budget presentation schedule for this evening. I know this looks like a lot but um we plan to move through

182
00:53:24.400 --> 00:53:40.559
these relatively quickly. Again like Dave said we aren't going to go line by line. Um spreadsheets were included in the packet for you to do the deep dive that you would like to do. Um again, these numbers are no way finalized. Um we do have some things in the upcoming

183
00:53:40.559 --> 00:53:58.160
weeks. Uh meetings to go over our health care, uh what the insurance could possibly look like, uh you know, contracts still to be settled, different areas where as we move through the process the next uh month, six weeks, um

184
00:53:58.160 --> 00:54:12.880
those numbers will become more finalized for us. So tonight, again, like we had talked about, uh we're really just focusing on right now what our projected budgets are going to look like as well as our 2026 successes and then our goals

185
00:54:12.880 --> 00:54:28.640
for the upcoming year. So tonight, we'll start with public works and then move through administration, port authority, IT, finance, HR, clerk's office, outside funding requests, and then a recap of CIP. This is going to probably look a

186
00:54:28.640 --> 00:54:43.280
little different than what you're used to, especially on the CIP side, where we are only going to review the CIP requests for the departments that are presenting this evening. That way, it gives the other departments who will be presenting on the 17th an opportunity to

187
00:54:43.280 --> 00:55:00.000
explain their requests in a little more detail. So, just keep in mind the CIP CIP list is going to look incredibly lean and it is by no means the uh final proposal. Emily, >> yes. >> Can I ask just before we get into each

188
00:55:00.000 --> 00:55:17.440
in department ones you mentioned? So, obviously healthc care is always the big kind of unknown, especially this early in the year, is there an assumption percentage increase that you used on health care when we're getting into these numbers? >> Yes, we did. Um Trish and I visited a little bit about that. Um came up with

189
00:55:17.440 --> 00:55:32.800
an estimate of what we thought would be uh you know, right around ballpark. it um might be slightly higher. I'm hoping. I always like to kind of air a little bit higher um you know so that way it

190
00:55:32.800 --> 00:55:47.839
gives us a little leeway in the event um you know once we get the numbers solidified but um but yes those have been included in those budget proposals. So those healthc care estimates will be in the presentation tonight.

191
00:55:47.839 --> 00:56:07.119
>> Okay. Thank you. Mhm. >> And then August 17th, uh, we will go through parks and wreck, library, police, fire, recap of those department, CIP requests, and just an overall budget review. And this will set the stage for

192
00:56:07.119 --> 00:56:23.760
um August 24th where we will have a special work session to really get more into the requests, look at what our proposed levy is going to be and [clears throat] look to council for recommendations, what you would like um with, you know, staff

193
00:56:23.760 --> 00:56:40.400
being able to recommend what they need. Um the 24th is really going to be the session where we sit down and do a deeper dive into everything prior to um the September budget discussions because as we enter September as you know we

194
00:56:40.400 --> 00:56:55.920
have to pass the proposed levy and then from there um you know it's throughout the rest of the year it's it's finalizing everything before the adoption of the budget. So with that and and this just kind of this slide

195
00:56:55.920 --> 00:57:11.359
just kind of reiterates that that the August 24th special work session is really going to be where we um sit down and over and do an overview of everything. So with that uh Stephen you are up first.

196
00:57:11.359 --> 00:57:28.160
>> All right. So in the public works department we have a total of 56 employees but 31 of those are tax levy supported. The other positions fall under like sewer user fees and things like that. Um, we have three part-time employees this summer. Uh, we have 141

197
00:57:28.160 --> 00:57:48.000
miles of street and almost 19 miles of trail. Some of our accomplishments for 2026, uh, the implementation of a point of sale program was a big accomplishment that we worked through at the end of 2025 and into 26. Uh this year by end of

198
00:57:48.000 --> 00:58:04.880
year we'll have completed $21 million worth of work at the wastewater treatment plant expansion project. Uh likewise we'll have completed $6 million worth of work at the wastewater treatment plant levy. Those are both going simultaneously right now. Uh year

199
00:58:04.880 --> 00:58:21.119
two of three on the Oakland Avenue 1 Avenue oneways project will be complete by late fall. and the I90 bridges. Uh we've been working on that with MDOT for the past 3 years and that project will come to completion this fall as well. So those are all

200
00:58:21.119 --> 00:58:35.839
very good things. Um couple other things I didn't note on here. In 2026, we implemented uh new rate increases for our planning, zoning, and rental fees. That was something that we talked about during budget discussions last year.

201
00:58:35.839 --> 00:58:52.880
Those were implemented this year. And um also I guess I'll point out here just a reminder in the public works department we were reduced uh two street maintenance employee positions in 2026

202
00:58:52.880 --> 00:59:10.960
and also in 2025 we were I'm sure you all remember we were requesting a graduate engineer position that was not put into the 2026 budget. So, just a couple updates there as we look at goals for 2027. Um, 2027 is a milestone year

203
00:59:10.960 --> 00:59:26.240
for us to complete the wastewater treatment plant project. We'll have some carryover work into the spring and early summer, but we hope to have that project complete by um the end of June 2027. Likewise, the third year of the Oakland

204
00:59:26.240 --> 00:59:44.079
Avenue oneway and 1 Avenue oneways project will be completed with First Avenue next year. So, we have 12 blocks of reconstruction on First Avenue next year. So, a large amount, but we'll look to get that started early and get that completed in 27. And then, you know,

205
00:59:44.079 --> 01:00:00.000
each year we always we always wonder what what's going to be the next big project. You know, in the mid 2000s, we were working at the airport for about 10 years. Then that carried into flood control in the teens, we'll say, for 12 [snorts] years of flood control work. And then that carried into now where

206
01:00:00.000 --> 01:00:14.559
we're working on the wastewater treatment plant project. Uh, and I really think our next focus in the coming 5 to 10 years is going to be our collection system. Uh, we'll start coming up in 27 looking at the Ellis Ditch area and the sanitary sewer

207
01:00:14.559 --> 01:00:31.920
collection system there and how how can we expand our point of sale? how can we continue to work to get um water out of our sanitary sewer collection system? So, I think that's really going to be our next big challenge as we look at personnel uh or public

208
01:00:31.920 --> 01:00:48.160
works department. You know, a big part of our department is made up of our people that that do the work out there, the boots on the ground every day. Um we we try to keep our budgets lean as much as we can and this year there's um $556,000

209
01:00:48.160 --> 01:01:04.720
of budget increases proposed in the public works department and 555,000 of that is related to personnel. Um so we do really try to keep a tight lid on our on our materials, our supplies, try to cut costs where we can when it comes to

210
01:01:04.720 --> 01:01:20.640
utilities and all of those things. uh central garage, which deals a lot with our equipment. We've talked about this in previous years, how our equipment costs have been just skyrocketing since 2020. So, we um always try to stay on top of that as

211
01:01:20.640 --> 01:01:36.640
those equipment costs increase. And we've found ways to develop um uh rotational patterns with our equipment to try to get as much longevity out of those as possible as well as utilizing the talents of our staff to uh complete

212
01:01:36.640 --> 01:01:55.119
maintenance and and repairs to our equipment to try to get that stuff to last again as long as possible. Our capital improvement budget, this is items that are directly related to the tax levy. As you know, in the public works department, we have lots of user feed supported funds that go for

213
01:01:55.119 --> 01:02:11.040
wastewater um and different areas. But when it comes to tax levy for 2027, we have some engineering equipment. Um main portion of that being a G GPS equipment that helps us locate items in the field

214
01:02:11.040 --> 01:02:28.160
and do accurate data entry and recording. It's as we've um continue to increase the amount of infrastructure in our rightway, it's always it's more and more important to know where all of that is at accurately. So, a a $25,000 piece of GPS equipment will help us be

215
01:02:28.160 --> 01:02:44.640
able to do that. We have our hazardous building removal that's been ongoing for many years. Uh $50,000 for hazardous building removal. at the arena. We currently have identified uh $227,000 worth of improvements at at mainly

216
01:02:44.640 --> 01:03:00.640
Riverside Arena. Uh we would propose that that be funded with um $65,000 through Hormat Foundation grant which Mr. Dankert referenced tonight and you all scored very highly I believe in the rankings which is great. Uh during the

217
01:03:00.640 --> 01:03:15.039
lease agreement with the Bruins, there was discussions to how the Bruins could help support capital improvements at the arena. We've identified um $10,000 of of Bruins support for those improvements.

218
01:03:15.039 --> 01:03:30.640
And then finally, $152,000 would come from the city tax levy. So that's how we would look to break down those arena improvements. We also have our street reconstruction program identified at $175,000. I'll come back to that in a second. And

219
01:03:30.640 --> 01:03:48.240
then we have the senior center roof, which we've uh provided a couple different options. One would be replacing with asphalt shingles at a lesser cost, but we're recommending uh to put in the budget a cost of $240,000 for a a metal roof on the senior center.

220
01:03:48.240 --> 01:04:04.000
So, just going back to street reconstruction program. Um, in previous years, uh, we had been tracking at $175,000 from the tax levy going towards street reconstruction.

221
01:04:04.000 --> 01:04:20.400
That allowed us to complete about $2.5 million worth of street reconstruction. that $175,000 when we look at how that is paid back over the course of 15 years, it allowed funds to come back to us to to budget

222
01:04:20.400 --> 01:04:38.559
and plan for $2.5 million of street reconstruction. That budget was cut in 2026. $35,000 was cut out of that budget, taking it down to $140,000. that brought our overall ability to for

223
01:04:38.559 --> 01:04:53.359
funding for street reconstruction. It brought it down from 2.5 million down to 2.1 million. So, we had to cut um almost well, it was over it was $450,000 out of our street reconstruction budget

224
01:04:53.359 --> 01:05:11.920
by cutting 35,000 out of the tax levy. Um when we do that, so I'm throwing a bunch of numbers at you here. I I had some other things I could pull up, but we won't do that unless you have questions. But by th that cut that occurred to the 26 budget by cutting 35

225
01:05:11.920 --> 01:05:27.920
by cutting 35,000 out of our street reconstruction budget, that put us on a 90-year rotation for street reconstruction. That's that's not a feasible option. We can't get our streets to last 90 years. So, I

226
01:05:27.920 --> 01:05:42.400
encourage you to restore that those dollars back into the budget for street reconstruction. Getting us back to 175,000. And in the coming years, we'll we'll likely need more than that. Um that

227
01:05:42.400 --> 01:05:59.039
175,000 puts us back on about a 70year rotation. um 70 years is still a lot to get a street to last, but we feel that's a lot more manageable than a 90-year rotation when it comes to street reconstruction. So, um [clears throat]

228
01:05:59.039 --> 01:06:14.960
just encourage you to um replenish those funds that were cut from the budget in 2026 as it relates to our our street reconstruction program. >> Stephen, can you run through those numbers one more time? >> Yep. >> So, we cut 35,000 and that decreased the

229
01:06:14.960 --> 01:06:31.839
budget by how much? It decreased the budget by hold on one second. I have it here. >> 460 I think you said. >> Um so we decreased the budget by $35,000 and it reduced our street reconstruction

230
01:06:31.839 --> 01:06:51.119
program by $475,000. And that was because the 35 that we put in usually maybe take that away that because between federal grants, state grants, and the fact that we 30 to 40% of stuff gets paid locally, is that

231
01:06:51.119 --> 01:07:07.359
why it's such a big number? >> Right. So we receive payback on our assessments over the course of 15 years. So, we are still getting money back from street projects that were completed 14 years ago.

232
01:07:07.359 --> 01:07:23.520
>> Okay. So, by decreasing in year one that fund by 35,000, we're going to be shorted 35,000 every year for the next 14 years. And and in total, when finance

233
01:07:23.520 --> 01:07:43.039
does their magic, that comes out to total $475,000. >> Got it. So, it's not a $400,000 one year, but over the course of time, we're going to miss out. Okay. >> On our capital improvement revolving fund,

234
01:07:43.039 --> 01:08:00.799
when we were planning for construction projects for 2026 at $175,000, that would support two almost $2.6 6 million worth of city street reconstruction in 2026 by reducing it by

235
01:08:00.799 --> 01:08:17.279
$35,000. We had to cut our street reconstruction budget down to 2.1 million. So it's it was a $500,000 $475,000 change in year one by reducing that 35 grand. So we're taking a small So just to make sure I'm understanding. So we're

236
01:08:17.279 --> 01:08:33.920
taking a small amount but it's not that's not like that's the only thing that we do because we're now not also spending other dollars that we would have coming in. Okay. [sighs] Which then net net impact is we go from 50 60 70 years to 90

237
01:08:33.920 --> 01:08:52.560
>> 90. Yes. Yes. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. I think that [clears throat] was my last slide. Thank you. I have a question, too. Sorry, Stephen, you're not off the hook yet. Can you guys hear me?

238
01:08:52.560 --> 01:09:08.080
>> No, we No, we can't hear you. [laughter] >> All right. Next. >> I just wanted to clarify when you show the increase um 555,000 and some dollars increase in personnel for public works.

239
01:09:08.080 --> 01:09:24.480
I'm assuming that is just the people we have advancing forward in their careers and moving up our step system. That's not adding anybody. That's not some kind of merit raises. It's just the people we have turn the calendar page forward a

240
01:09:24.480 --> 01:09:40.880
year. That's what we're going to pay them. >> Correct. Status quo with our current number of employees in public works. Yes. >> Thank you. >> That's for budgeted employees, even unfilled positions. >> That's Yes. That's every position that

241
01:09:40.880 --> 01:09:55.760
we currently have approval to fill, whether it's filled or not. And then that also obviously includes benefits and health insurance and all >> everything that goes along with it. But yes, that's every approved position that we have in public works.

242
01:09:55.760 --> 01:10:12.480
>> We we currently have all positions full that were budgeted in 2026 except for we recently had one opening at the wastewater treatment plant, but again, not tax levy supported. >> All right. Thanks. And then Emily, is that the same way we're thinking about the rest of them? So like >> Yes.

243
01:10:12.480 --> 01:10:28.880
>> Okay. So finance goes up 55 grand. That would be in part because of >> Yes. And I'll get to that because that one does look a little strange and I'll go over that one when we get to it. >> Good. >> Um so yes, every uh employee

244
01:10:28.880 --> 01:10:45.199
salary benefit um number that you see on these slides is currently what we are approved to have in 2026. There are no increases proposed or built into any of those. So, um, so for administration, um, we actually have two full-time

245
01:10:45.199 --> 01:11:01.600
employees. That's the city administrator, and then one of our clerk positions is is funded 100% in the administration budget. Um 2025 accomplishments for administration is obviously to prepare staff for the leadership change that we're going to

246
01:11:01.600 --> 01:11:17.440
see with the new city administrator um hopefully in the upcoming months. And then um Dave also has quite a few projects on his list in the short time that he's with us. And um Dave, did you want to touch on any of those or

247
01:11:17.440 --> 01:11:34.400
>> not this evening because they're they're coming. >> All right. And then uh our 2027 goals um biggest one of course is to onboard the city administrator and uh you know with with all the moving parts that's a pretty big task and um you know for 2027

248
01:11:34.400 --> 01:11:51.440
that is a lot to to bite off. So um those are the accomplishments and goals for the current year and upcoming year. um administration budget. I did this a little bit differently than the others where I only included just the administration

249
01:11:51.440 --> 01:12:08.800
um budget. I didn't include um council, mayor, the smaller budgets that we have outside of this um just because there were no changes to those. So, I really just focused on um just the administration budget for this piece. Um, as we go forward, of course, that

250
01:12:08.800 --> 01:12:24.480
will be grouped in. Um, but the projected total increase is uh a little under 48,000. That is, uh, projecting the city administrator salary being on the high end of the approved pay scale for that.

251
01:12:24.480 --> 01:12:39.120
Um, so that could that could change depending on uh, you know, the new city administrator, when they start, um, contract negotiation, that type of thing. So overall, we're looking at a projected impact on the levy at this

252
01:12:39.120 --> 01:12:55.760
point of a little under um half a percent. So no major changes there. No changes to supplies. Um you know, just kept that pretty lean. Primary uh focus was just on personnel.

253
01:12:55.760 --> 01:13:13.840
Port authority stayed the same. Uh there were no increases to that. I do believe there is a port authority meeting at some point coming up between now and before we certify our levy. Um we'll touch base with the board on that but um

254
01:13:13.840 --> 01:13:30.640
to my knowledge there is nothing new that we need to plan ahead in 2027 for >> Yeah, Emily I and if president Yeah. No, I I think that is a safe assumption. >> All right. >> Unless Jeff's got a magical project he's thinking about. Oh, [laughter] nothing

255
01:13:30.640 --> 01:13:45.679
nothing today anyway. >> Yes. Yes. I I forgot we have the uh some key players here tonight authority. >> Um information technology. Um right now we currently just have one employee um

256
01:13:45.679 --> 01:14:02.960
in that department and uh 2026 accomplishments. It's um really right now the focus is designing the new ADA compliant website. I don't know how many of you have been involved in website design. That is a massive undertaking and um it involves

257
01:14:02.960 --> 01:14:17.600
all the departments. A lot of collaboration with everybody to make sure the information that we get out there is correct and updated. So that is a a pretty significant undertaking especially for one person to be in

258
01:14:17.600 --> 01:14:35.840
charge of. Um then the 2027 goals uh Michael indicated that he would um you know he had two primary goals. One is to aid with implementation of technological improvements to improve efficiency. Basically what that boils down to is

259
01:14:35.840 --> 01:14:52.239
some of our departments like finance uh being one of the primary ones um we are looking at identifying efficiencies within our current software system and trying to go to a more paperless uh more technologydriven side of things

260
01:14:52.239 --> 01:15:08.480
especially with payroll and our accounts payable process. So, Michael is going to be instrumental in getting that um accomplished and then um information technology strategic plan and that I believe will

261
01:15:08.480 --> 01:15:25.280
probably go over or did you want to save that for a later date or >> real briefly because it's in there only the others weren't identified but that one is because I asked to prove it couple legs of that stool. One is um an assessment by an outside firm to come in and help us understand our strengths and

262
01:15:25.280 --> 01:15:41.520
weaknesses, kind of a gaps analysis. The second is an inventory that we've just completed of all the programs and hardware and software that we have. And then the next one is a kind of an interview with the staff about their needs and future needs. So the goal there is to really create a one to

263
01:15:41.520 --> 01:15:57.280
three, one to four, one to fiveyear strategic plan that deals with operations and capital and staffing. how to best do it because we're we lack redundancy now in that area and so we don't have any money recommended in this budget in tonight for this but I hope by

264
01:15:57.280 --> 01:16:14.000
you know 3 weeks from now or by the time the budget is adopted the study will be well on its way where we can identify some money for 2027 even though it's not going to be finished it's going to be um implemented over time so that's all I want to say about that because it's

265
01:16:14.000 --> 01:16:29.120
really important I think so two thoughts I guess from my perspective with that knowing we're obviously in the the very early stages of it. One is I do think it's right for us to be looking at redundancy, safety, security. I think we've experienced with the county last year. We've experienced with, you know,

266
01:16:29.120 --> 01:16:45.040
municipal water supplies. You know, in the past it was, okay, we're this tiny little city. We don't really have to worry about it. I think municipal governments are going to be a bigger target just by virtue of there's going to be more hacking and things like that. And so making sure that we're we feel

267
01:16:45.040 --> 01:17:01.440
good about safety. And then the second piece which I'm guessing it'll go as well is I would really love [clears throat] us to understand like how can we leverage AI to improve efficiency effectiveness. We've been having a lot of conversations in other areas of the community around I mean we're now at this stage where it's less

268
01:17:01.440 --> 01:17:17.360
about you know fancy language models and much more about like specifically how do we drive efficiency and I think there's a growing consensus that like the organizations that leverage AI early and figure out how to like embed

269
01:17:17.360 --> 01:17:35.199
that as a core kind of benefit and core knowledge base will be exponentially more effective. over time. And so, um, would love to kind of understand what that looks like, especially because I think that could be kind of our get out of jail free card over the next 5 to 10 years of things that we can do

270
01:17:35.199 --> 01:17:52.159
efficiently instead of knocking heads over employees every time. >> And we're at the point where that's perfect because we haven't finalized the study or the plan. So, we'll add that in there. Good. And we did have >> uh council >> I'm sorry council member Baskin I just

271
01:17:52.159 --> 01:18:07.440
want to point out that the city of Austin has not yet leveraged computers to do such tasks as total up totaling up the hours on every time sheet. Employees generally are totaling up their hours by hand and then their supervisors are

272
01:18:07.440 --> 01:18:24.560
double-checking them by hand. So we we're going to need a little bit longer on-ramp to AI than maybe what Hormell Foods does. But I agree with you. We got to we got to get there. >> See, I would actually look at it. Hormel's not actually that far. We do have electronic payments, [laughter] so

273
01:18:24.560 --> 01:18:40.560
we've gotten there, but some of the conversations are it's almost okay to be far behind at this point because we don't have now legacy systems that we just spent $3 million on a couple years ago. So maybe it is our opportunity to go, all right, let's just make the jump. So, but obviously much more to come

274
01:18:40.560 --> 01:18:55.760
>> and we do have um with our current ERP software, Logis, there are modules that we can implement that um like Laura brought up with payroll. Um they're there, we're just not utilizing them. So, um you know, some of this all it

275
01:18:55.760 --> 01:19:13.440
costs us is the time and um you know, training to get up to speed on that. And um I think, correct me if I'm wrong, this spring we did have a group go to an AI training. Was that hosted by the league? Is that and it was pretty

276
01:19:13.440 --> 01:19:28.080
preliminary I think. But um I think everybody is on board with um advancing and and using technology to our advantage. So, um hopefully 2027 we can once the stud is complete we can um see

277
01:19:28.080 --> 01:19:45.440
some of that kind of come out and uh you know even if it is the early stages it would be nice to see where that goes. So u Michael's got that on his radar and he's uh planning accordingly. >> Um one thing I would also add to the conversation fully agree about you know

278
01:19:45.440 --> 01:19:59.920
there's a lot of great things that I could see IA in the future. You know, I know our new police chief has talked about getting body cameras at some point and some of them have programs where it literally helps autopop populate a police report, you know, to really save some time, things like that. We don't

279
01:19:59.920 --> 01:20:17.280
have as a city an AI use policy. And I think that is a fundamental first step as we start to look at this. Um, probably a good thing to put on Michael's plate to kind of at least look at what other cities have as a framework. Maybe the league has something we could, you know, let let's put that building block in first before

280
01:20:17.280 --> 01:20:34.880
we start stacking the other stuff on top of it. >> And um before I move on to the next slide, I don't know how easy it is to see it, probably not very well, but on this slide um that is actually a screenshot of the home screen, just the

281
01:20:34.880 --> 01:20:51.760
top banner portion of the new website. That kind of gives you a sneak peek of what uh the layout is going to look like. And um you know, of course, that's one page out of I each department will have their own page and um you know, it's going to be a pretty robust

282
01:20:51.760 --> 01:21:08.560
website. So um that's just kind of a an informal glance at what we're working on. And then the 2027 budget breakdown, there actually is a slight decrease. Um personnel was

283
01:21:08.560 --> 01:21:25.520
budgeted um a little high in 2026. Um so we did make some adjustments to that, but overall um everything else is pretty status quo. There's no major changes to software. Um we did see a slight increase in cyber security insurance,

284
01:21:25.520 --> 01:21:40.719
but other than that, um you know, nothing too notable. So um that one is kind of a rarity where you see it go down instead of increase. Um and then finance, we have three

285
01:21:40.719 --> 01:21:57.280
full-time employees. Um the 2026 accomplishments have been um a lot of internal training of staff, mostly me. Um getting up to speed with everything. I've spent quite a few hours with Kim and Melissa going over processes,

286
01:21:57.280 --> 01:22:14.320
procedures, um learning the ropes, learning the software. um definitely spend quite a bit of time with the uh training team at Logis to to learn how to optimize our software. So that's been helpful. Um we have been able to

287
01:22:14.320 --> 01:22:30.400
identify efficiencies within that current software like we discussed with the payroll and accounts payable. Um so our 2027 goals are to implement a more streamlined payroll process and um then also implement electronic accounts

288
01:22:30.400 --> 01:22:46.880
payable process and just try to get things a little uh a little more streamlined, a little less paper, um a little more electronic to hopefully uh you know make make it a little easier on those employees who are doing the the

289
01:22:46.880 --> 01:23:02.400
data entry like from those uh manual time sheets. needs. One area that looks a little bit odd um is the personnel. It did go up 55,000. Um the cause for that is uh Tom, my

290
01:23:02.400 --> 01:23:18.000
predecessor. His salary was broken down um within each department and he logged his time accordingly. Um so right now I'm just 100% out of finance. If we need to look at changing that, I

291
01:23:18.000 --> 01:23:34.400
certainly can. Um, just for the sake of making things simple, I just took all three of our salaries and put them in that line item. So, it is a little skewed from prior years. Um, supplies and other no notable increases

292
01:23:34.400 --> 01:23:50.000
there. Everything is the same. Um, so, you know, as we move forward, if we want the finance budget to look similar to previous years, we can adjust that. If not, uh, my personal preference is, you know, the easier the better. Um but you

293
01:23:50.000 --> 01:24:08.000
know that's that's entirely up to um you know city administrator whoever wants to uh make that decision going forward. And then up next we have human resources. Okay. So for human resources um we have

294
01:24:08.000 --> 01:24:25.520
two full-time employees and I'm going through some of the 2026 accomplishments. Uh we started out the year with a new um health insurance plan and overall program and that was a a big change and we had u lots of questions

295
01:24:25.520 --> 01:24:41.360
and and worked through uh issues and payment plan how how things were being paid process as far as claims. Um so that that was a um a heavy um load to work with employees through

296
01:24:41.360 --> 01:24:58.400
that. We still experience a few things now and then with that, but for the most part it is um processing um as it should. Um also at the beginning of the year with the new PFML, uh there was a a learning curve with that. Uh we have had

297
01:24:58.400 --> 01:25:13.360
uh quite a bit of usage uh year to date with that. We've had 24 claims amongst our 143 145 employees. Um I've just checking with other communities that is a little high. Uh but uh working through

298
01:25:13.360 --> 01:25:29.920
again that process. It was new uh filing claims and that kind of thing. So that's taken a chunk of time. Um we've continued to uh work through the employee engagement process. Uh quite a few events that we've had throughout the year. So just um you know promoting the

299
01:25:29.920 --> 01:25:45.040
the events and department outreach and things like that. Uh we have had quite a few uh vacancies that we've worked through, a lot of retirements. Uh so some of those have been um you know, as you can see down below, the major leadership recruitments, the police

300
01:25:45.040 --> 01:25:59.679
chief, fire chief, city administrator. So those are some big ones. Uh the trickle down effect in the police department with our promotional processes. Uh we'll be doing a lieutenant testing um next week followed by uh more than likely a sergeant. Well,

301
01:25:59.679 --> 01:26:15.920
it depends how things go, but those a lot of promotional processes. So, um just filling those um key um positions uh as you approved tonight the IFFF uh labor agreement that is number six of our eight agreements. So negotiating um

302
01:26:15.920 --> 01:26:32.080
those uh this year and then working with um uh [snorts] information services with Michael uh for the city website redesign and then a big portion of that will be the employee portal um strengthening that for our employees. Right now we do

303
01:26:32.080 --> 01:26:48.880
have an internet but uh just strengthening the portal uh where employees could go for information um that have that housed there. Um so working through that right now. And then um goals for 2027 uh will be supporting the city administrator, the onboarding u

304
01:26:48.880 --> 01:27:04.159
getting a a new individual in here, working through um the their their goals, their processes, how that might look. Um just going through the the transition with that. Um and also part of the uh website design, we'll be

305
01:27:04.159 --> 01:27:20.400
launching a fully online interactive employment application process from through our website. So, I'm excited to to have that come to fruition. Um, and continuing to enhance employee communication. Um, looking at adding department digital messaging and any

306
01:27:20.400 --> 01:27:36.480
other additional outreach methods that we um ultimately use, but the um digital messaging is part of the CIP request under human resources um for 2027. uh we'll continue to move forward the employee recognition program and then updating and reviewing the employee

307
01:27:36.480 --> 01:27:52.480
handbook and variety of policies will be our goals for 2027. Uh the uh human resources budget is pretty um pretty standard, pretty minimal, not a lot of changes going forward. Uh

308
01:27:52.480 --> 01:28:08.000
personnel breakdown you can see there uh 32692 just under 327. supplies hasn't changed or increased I think 500. And then that other piece um most of that includes things like um our employee assistance

309
01:28:08.000 --> 01:28:25.440
program that's under the HR um budget. So that is a a program that we have for our employees. Um and then other personnel services. So like our um random drug testing that we're required to do for DOT that falls under um the HR budget. And then there's some internal

310
01:28:25.440 --> 01:28:42.480
um booking of accounting and rental and things like that that happens um through the actuary actuarial actuary process that finance does. So other than that there aren't too many um pieces within the HR budget. Um projected increases

311
01:28:42.480 --> 01:29:04.719
just over 19,000 and then8% [snorts] of the overall impact on the levy. So, the clerk's office does have two full-time employees. As Emily mentioned earlier, we do have a third full-time employee that's completely under [clears throat] the administration

312
01:29:04.719 --> 01:29:20.800
budget. Our 2026 accomplishments would be the migration of the agenda um and minutes management to that Civic Plus platform and that would be a part of the new website redevelopment.

313
01:29:20.800 --> 01:29:35.760
Uh we recruited, appointed and trained 84 election judges for the city of Austin this year and then we assisted the county with training of their judges and they had 151 election judges. Um, we did that all out at Ruby Rupner this

314
01:29:35.760 --> 01:29:51.760
year and it seemed very successful. We assisted with so far updates of 10 city ordinances. We have worked with the administration of the low potency hemp edibles. Um, and still working through redevelopment of the cannabis ordinance.

315
01:29:51.760 --> 01:30:08.080
Um, we're worked on the safety updates to council chambers and then the security updates to city hall. Some of our goals for 2027 is to establish a records retention policy. Uh start the process of digitization and indexing of the clerk's permanent records so we

316
01:30:08.080 --> 01:30:25.040
don't have so much storage in our basement of paper. And then continue to review our city ordinances for inconsistencies with our current state laws and prepare recommended amendments for our council to consider. uh for our uh budget breakdown personnel

317
01:30:25.040 --> 01:30:41.440
is $230,16 supply is 6,000 that did increase. So the reason for the increase to the budget would be um due to our election. Um, under normal

318
01:30:41.440 --> 01:30:56.639
election cycles, we'd not typically conduct an election in 2027, but based on the outcomes of the 2026 election, we are ant anticipating anticipating that election may be required in 2027. So, the proposed increases allow us to

319
01:30:56.639 --> 01:31:12.560
prepare for that possibility rather than requesting unplanning funding later. Um, other would be 33,350. So total projected increases 24,410 and then the projected impact on the

320
01:31:12.560 --> 01:31:36.000
levy just 23%. [clears throat] Um I can touch on some of these and then if Emily wants to chime in on anything I've forgotten. Um, so I worked with the city administrator and Emily on collecting the

321
01:31:36.000 --> 01:31:51.920
letters that were sent out to our nonprofit organizations for their budget requests. Um, we received all of those back. As you can see there on the chart, we have listed on the top of the graph the amounts that

322
01:31:51.920 --> 01:32:08.400
they received in 2026 and then the amounts that they're requesting for 2027. Their letters were placed in the work session packet for you to review. So, council will decide whether to award those uh funding requests or select an

323
01:32:08.400 --> 01:32:25.920
alternative amount. And then on the bottom half of the chart, we have our nonprofit organization budget requests. Um, we have an annual amount that we give to the DCA of that 40,000 KSMQTV

324
01:32:25.920 --> 01:32:43.840
of 5,800. Um, pillars for the city, I did increase that. I haven't gotten my quote back yet. Um, but that would be for two plaques increase of $2,000 to that 1,600. Um, culture and arts commission that stayed the same, 3,500.

325
01:32:43.840 --> 01:32:59.760
Um, the High Water Music Series did get an increase request of 3,000. um that has been successful this summer. So Jason did ask for a request increase on that. Um CGMC hasn't given me an estimate of their annual dues. So we

326
01:32:59.760 --> 01:33:16.960
kept that at 58,000. Um LMC did give me an estimate. They believe they said it would be 5% increase. So it was that $26,458. Um when Lily was here earlier, she touched on that greater Minnesota partnership. And that was an estimate of

327
01:33:16.960 --> 01:33:33.520
3,000 u fireworks with the Hormel Foundation request. Then the city's request would be 10,000. And then we have the Austin Artworks that art work sponsorship art award for 500. You can see that the amounts at the

328
01:33:33.520 --> 01:33:49.840
bottom come in very similar for the um second portion of the chart. Um, and they're quite different at the top on the first portion of that chart. >> And I So, and I fully understand that

329
01:33:49.840 --> 01:34:06.560
you are not representing all of these nonprofits. So, understandable if nobody here can answer my questions, but a couple that I have. One, just a quick note. If it really is a 5% increase for the LMC, I think you should double check the math on that because I think it's more like 1,300 bucks that it's going up

330
01:34:06.560 --> 01:34:23.280
instead of 450. Um, KSMQ from what I understand is probably not going to exist for a whole lot longer. So, I was kind of curious what that funding would go towards or I'm not quite sure what's going to go on with that. And then the

331
01:34:23.280 --> 01:34:38.960
big one is obviously the $50,000 increase request from Impact Austin. I know a couple of folks here might be attached to that organization, but I'd be really curious what the large increase was for. >> Yeah. So with KSMQ, I can reach out to them

332
01:34:38.960 --> 01:34:54.400
and just see because that one was a standing request. So I'm not for sure. I was just information I gathered from Mr. Danker prior to yeah going through this. So I can definitely reach out to them. LMC, I'll have Mr. Unmach touch on that.

333
01:34:54.400 --> 01:35:09.920
And same with DCA if he has any information. So, just members of the council, the um the letter that uh DCA submitted did not have a request for an explanation of why. And so, for this meeting, we just

334
01:35:09.920 --> 01:35:26.400
decided to include that amount and I was going to follow up because I think it's there has to be a rationale for why that is, but we didn't ask for it yet. the league. We can easily uh both the league and CGMC are working on their budgets now >> and uh we'll we'll have a better number

335
01:35:26.400 --> 01:35:42.960
here in the very near future and we'll we'll we'll edit that number. And we're also we're going to have an update on KSM Q with Craig and I are working on some things on the legal end of the with the building and with the transfer to uh to TPC. So, uh it reverifies that

336
01:35:42.960 --> 01:35:59.760
number. Um I don't know if that number will increase what we're working on or not yet. I'm going to add a little bit of color. I know enough to be dangerous on the impact Austin, so take it with that grain of salt. Um, I believe what John and the team were adding in was there's

337
01:35:59.760 --> 01:36:16.400
an assumption now that we're done with the comp plan, there's active planning work taking place around, okay, what are the major things that we want to put into place? And so there's some conversations between impact Austin and the DCA, Hormal Foundation, Hormel

338
01:36:16.400 --> 01:36:32.400
Foods, the Institute, the schools, and some things like that. So I think without knowing exactly what those are. Um, and I think that works being done over the next couple weeks here, the goal is to come out with, hey, here's like the three or four like big things we as a community want to get together

339
01:36:32.400 --> 01:36:48.400
behind. And I think there's probably an assumption whether it's a personnel cost or an implementation cost or something like that that they wanted to put some dollars in so that it's a let's just budget for it knowing that we will have some big rocks to move versus a coming

340
01:36:48.400 --> 01:37:04.320
back in February and going hey we need $50,000 and us going well budget's done we got nothing for you. So I think it's worth an additional conversation. And it's probably worth a specific question to John, but I think that was kind of the thought process is >> it's a half a percent of a levy.

341
01:37:04.320 --> 01:37:21.360
>> Yeah. I It's a substantial number. >> Yeah. >> And like we had mentioned too, we didn't want to um make any assumptions or short change any of these agencies. So we just put the full requests in >> this uh spreadsheet so that way you

342
01:37:21.360 --> 01:37:40.239
could see it. And um you know there'll definitely be future discussions uh as we get further into it. Okay. And then the last area is levy funded capital outlay. And this is only those departments that presented tonight. So don't get excited thinking

343
01:37:40.239 --> 01:37:56.400
that we have drastically cut our our budget for 2027. Um, and I'll just let each department touch on their area, starting with um, Stephen. Yours are kind of self-explanatory, but

344
01:37:56.400 --> 01:38:13.440
>> yes. >> Yeah, I don't have anything to add. That was pretty much what I described during my discussion unless there's any questions. >> And then, uh, Trish on the digital signage. >> Sure. Just a couple of items of note.

345
01:38:13.440 --> 01:38:30.560
So, the digital signage request would be for um $33,200 and that would cover the um we're looking at uh 10 devices. So, different all departments would have um a a screen or a device and then picture like a

346
01:38:30.560 --> 01:38:47.600
cable box that would project um notices. So, we'd use it for um you know, welcoming new employees, uh uh the employee engagement events that are coming up, uh open enrollment reminders, um anniversaries, those kinds of things.

347
01:38:47.600 --> 01:39:03.840
Just being able to connect with all the employees in all the different departments. Um not all of our employees have city emails. And so although we try to send out um emails with all of our notices for events that are coming up um and then the open enrollment, all those

348
01:39:03.840 --> 01:39:20.480
kind of benefit announcements, it does not get to all of our employees through a city email address. We do have um some personal email addresses uh for employees, but we don't have them not all employees want to receive that kind of information through their personal

349
01:39:20.480 --> 01:39:36.800
emails. So then we rely on notices sent out to the departments or um department supervisors to to get that information to employees. So this would um provide again 10 devices uh for each of the departments plus included in that would

350
01:39:36.800 --> 01:39:54.480
be one uh device or one setup for city hall for public facing. So we'd be able to basically anything that goes out on our Facebook page could also be then in city hall. uh very similar to the library has um a public facing um TV or

351
01:39:54.480 --> 01:40:11.600
device that shows all their upcoming programs. The nature center is very similar that they have um something that shows all their upcoming programs, things that are happening at the nature center. So it would be it would be like that. uh could be upcoming uh ordinances, it could be elections, it

352
01:40:11.600 --> 01:40:27.520
you know anything again anything that we put on our Facebook page would be projected and have available for um our public coming into city hall. So that um is included in in that number. Um the breakdown again comes out to be $30,000

353
01:40:27.520 --> 01:40:44.719
and then there is a a fee per month um using a a digital signage uh program. Uh so that that translates to $3,000. So the annual cost would be $3,000 um for this this software, but then the

354
01:40:44.719 --> 01:41:00.960
hardware piece of it would be the 30,000 and it would be for 10 units or setup setups for each of the departments. And then the last item listed for this evening is audiovisisual upgrades for

355
01:41:00.960 --> 01:41:17.280
the conference room of 22,000. And Dave, did you want to speak on that or is that I With all due respect, Dave doesn't know what what that request is for. So, >> all right. [laughter] >> I think that got cut out of last year's budget. I think it was a request.

356
01:41:17.280 --> 01:41:33.040
>> I think it's a carryover. Yeah. >> Michael Michael added it, didn't it? >> Yeah. >> It might be even to move our work sessions up there as >> Yeah, I know there's been some talk about >> then I support it. [laughter] So again, those are just for the departments this evening and then you

357
01:41:33.040 --> 01:41:50.719
will see um a much longer list probably on the 17th that includes the remaining departments presentations. A recap of tonight's presentations. I know this slide is kind of blinding. There's a lot of numbers on there. Um just rough estimate for right now.

358
01:41:50.719 --> 01:42:06.400
Running total of what has been proposed this evening. We're looking at a little over 700,000 as far as increases for these departments that have presented tonight. Again, there's a lot of factors that go into play. Um, you know, a lot of things that we are going to shore up

359
01:42:06.400 --> 01:42:21.920
in the upcoming weeks like the health insurance, um, LGA, and then as we get further in, um, we'll we'll work to refine these. But uh this is just to give you an idea of where we're sitting today with our first round at uh our

360
01:42:21.920 --> 01:42:38.239
budgets. And um that is it. Does anybody have any questions? It's it's a lot all at once. And uh next next work session will be round two of pretty much the same thing. But um if there's anything

361
01:42:38.239 --> 01:42:54.560
you know if you need to digest it and you have any questions and need some clarification, you can get a hold of me and let me know. um you know, spreadsheets were in the packet. If you want more um information on anything that was included in the packet, just let us know and we can get

362
01:42:54.560 --> 01:43:12.719
that to you. And um we'll just plan on working through this as a group. And um shooting for August 24th, like we had said earlier, as kind of our our big work session once everybody's had a chance to uh discuss their budgets. The

363
01:43:12.719 --> 01:43:29.040
24th will really be where we sit down and um analyze our proposed levy and and get things in motion for the uh proposed levy certification. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you, Emily. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. No questions on my end, but just

364
01:43:29.040 --> 01:43:45.520
thank you for everybody that went tonight that is going in a couple weeks. I know there's a tremendous amount of work that goes into that. Dave, Emily, [snorts] thank you for your leadership on this. Uh I'm cautiously optimistic. this is always like the least fun part of the year and we always seem to like take four steps backwards on everything

365
01:43:45.520 --> 01:44:02.159
and so I just it feels different. Um so I like the high level recap piece of it and you know I look forward to us kind of going through and looking at the different options and getting to where we need to get to. So thanks. >> I have a quick one on the uh just for Trish or Emily. Do you remember what the

366
01:44:02.159 --> 01:44:21.760
percentage healthcare increase that you used under the assumption? Well, so I had originally started with a higher increase. Um, and it was it was a little scary, but [laughter] >> it uh I I went with just a a 10% I think

367
01:44:21.760 --> 01:44:37.520
is what we had discussed. Now I don't even remember. I plugged it into my spreadsheet. >> I think we started at 10 and and we talked about 15. >> Yeah. >> Uh we do Dave and I have a call with our brokers on Wednesday and hopefully we'll have a little bit better idea. Okay.

368
01:44:37.520 --> 01:44:53.840
after our call on Wednesday. But um yeah, I'm not sure what final number you put in there. We talked about 10 and we talked about 15. So >> yeah, and I did if there were any positions that were vacant, I went ahead and budgeted on the high side for like a family policy. Yep. >> Definitely

369
01:44:53.840 --> 01:45:11.040
um gave us a little extra room. Um but but yeah, we will uh have those numbers hopefully a little more refined um before we meet again in two weeks. >> Okay. Thank you. And and then I would just kind of to Dave's opening note

370
01:45:11.040 --> 01:45:26.960
about, you know, kind of how we're framing this and telling the story. And I, you know, I appreciate so I think we all have a little PTSD from last year's budget sessions, right? And in an effort to be as open and transparent as possible, you know, we did a good job of that and then I think we got dragged

371
01:45:26.960 --> 01:45:43.119
through the mud a little bit in the public discourse. Um, and I I couldn't help but notice at the end of the fall, you know, our levy, I think it was like seven and a half, and the county came in honestly almost double. It was like 12 and a half, 13. And yet, I never heard

372
01:45:43.119 --> 01:46:00.159
boo from anybody about the county, and they framed their things very differently. I actually pulled up the Austin Daily Herald article from last year, and they didn't talk about what the percentage levy increase was. What they talked about was if you have a house worth this much, this is the 1.36%

373
01:46:00.159 --> 01:46:14.880
you might see increase because when people hear just say 10%, they think their taxes are going up 10%. We all know that's not the case. So, if it worked really well for the county, I think maybe we should consider how we frame this, however we land on things to

374
01:46:14.880 --> 01:46:32.560
try and help little little sugar to go down with the medicine >> we're all over that. I like it. >> We're all over that um with with information and data we're going to provide on that. >> Thank you. >> All right. Anything further on the

375
01:46:32.560 --> 01:46:58.159
budget? Otherwise, move on to the administrative report. David, >> yeah, >> I have a 2-year-old today. [laughter] >> I took a nap before I showered this. [laughter] This is easy compared to running around with a 2-year-old for six hours.

376
01:46:58.159 --> 01:47:13.840
>> Um, no, I appreciate your patience on the budget and and in two weeks it'll be good. We're we're we're going to do a lot of heavy lifting and your team to try to make it as easy as possible for you to make good decisions uh this fall. That's our that's our goal and that's our objective. With respect to the city

377
01:47:13.840 --> 01:47:29.119
administrator canon review process, Trish and I put together this memo. I'm not going to walk through it because the memo is relatively brief. It's a page and a half. Um the recommendation is pretty clear. I think that's the right way to go is a subcommittee of the council primarily because the applicants

378
01:47:29.119 --> 01:47:44.239
at that point in time if if they have to appear before the city council in a semifinalist state that the odds of them the they're going to weigh their odds and you start to lose candidates because their names are public and I think it's the most efficient and effective way to do it. [snorts] We're recommending the

379
01:47:44.239 --> 01:48:00.639
mayor um Trish and I and the two members of the council. So tonight, that would be a order if you'd like, just to identify the two members of the council. You you don't have to do that tonight. You can do that in a week or two when we uh when the pool is finished. The it's I was going to say end of business day on

380
01:48:00.639 --> 01:48:17.440
on August 9th, but August is a Sunday, you know. So, we're going to take applications on August 10th, too, if we get applications in. There's three scenarios. Three scenarios. Whether you're the city of Austin, the city of Minneapolis, or the city of Lever, every time you post for an administrator

381
01:48:17.440 --> 01:48:31.920
position, or even a school superintendent or a county administrator, number one is you got a strong pool. You get a strong pool, then this process really will play itself out. You can see what we want to the the the flow of it, the eB of it, and how we want to do that. And the second is you

382
01:48:31.920 --> 01:48:49.119
have a fair pool, which means you have some qualified applicants, but they just just I I'll use kind of the layman's term. They just don't grab you. You know, they just don't reach out and grab you like you really wanted to. And then the third the third scenario, and this happens, is you don't have a strong

383
01:48:49.119 --> 01:49:06.000
pool. There's really nobody in the pool that you want to consider. So Trish and I are talking this week. We're going to develop some options and some ideas for you based on B and C. So if A is the strong pool, then we recommend you just proceed right into this and let's get

384
01:49:06.000 --> 01:49:22.159
going and get her done. If it's a fair pool, what do you do? Well, you typically try to maybe extend the posting a little bit. But you just don't extend the posting and do nothing because then what you've got to you got to do something in order to solicit and get more candidates. And if it's not a

385
01:49:22.159 --> 01:49:38.080
sufficient pool, then we we got to rethink what our strategy is. I can say with conviction and I think you can too is we've reached people. You know, in the we've posted it everywhere you always post the city administrator positions. We sent out

386
01:49:38.080 --> 01:49:53.119
over a hundred profiles with letters from me to a wide distribution of people that we identified. Put it on the league's website. We put it on the MCMA, the Minnesota City County managers list serve, which everybody does. And then just the other day, we sent out a letter

387
01:49:53.119 --> 01:50:10.719
to 100 to 110, maybe 120 candidates. Um, no, it was the email. Email. Thank you. Yeah, it was the email. And that's the thing that triggered the calls and the inquiries in what I started to do and what I spent a lot of time late last week fielding questions from people that are interested. So, that was that was

388
01:50:10.719 --> 01:50:26.639
really the catalyst that that tipped it. Now, we just kind of wait, right? We kind of we kind of wait and see what what happens over the next few days. Um, and that's that's all I really have for the briefing and turn it over to council. We certainly stand for any questions on process or whatever you'd

389
01:50:26.639 --> 01:50:42.639
like to talk about. >> And I just want to appreciate uh also the work that's being done by Trish and Dave on this outreach. I've heard it. I can't walk six steps uh to a conference or the barbecue cook off where I haven't heard an administrator or several at these conferences say, "Hey, I got a letter from Dave Enm or I got a phone

390
01:50:42.639 --> 01:50:58.806
call from Dave Enman." Beautiful. And and I talked to Trish last week. the number of folks that you've put it out there was 30. It seems like Girl Scout leaders, Boy Scout, it was like it was crazy the amount of of impact you made not only in this state but other

391
01:50:58.806 --> 01:51:14.159
[snorts] states to put it out there to these associations or other uh specialy outfits that would probably supply a city administrator to us. So, congratulations and I appreciate that very much that I don't think you could do any better with a firm or anybody else. That that outreach is amazing. So, hope we do get some good content. We

392
01:51:14.159 --> 01:51:30.000
reached into in northern Iowa and we reached into western Wisconsin and of course all of all of Minnesota. >> Yep. Great. And if we want to discuss, you know, I think the I can't remember what I did it for, but I we had a an occasion where I needed a couple council

393
01:51:30.000 --> 01:51:44.800
members and I know there was a lot of interest in whoever it was maybe a year ago. I I think Bri helped me slice up the names of every council member into the exact same shape. Uh and we put them in a hat and we drew it and it was all audited. uh it was all fair because I know there's several people that

394
01:51:44.800 --> 01:52:00.719
probably want to be on that of the of the two city council members pre- selection. So what I'd like to do is say who would probably give their firstborn child to be on it. >> Start there otherwise you know I get there's there's interest [laughter] there >> everybody probably has interest but the

395
01:52:00.719 --> 01:52:17.462
level I want to narrow down this uh selection this raffle this drawing to the folks that really do want to be involved. So, I would take names of who absolutely really wants to be on that as the two city council members. >> I let you know which child after I get home tonight. [laughter]

396
01:52:18.719 --> 01:52:36.480
>> All right, Jeff, you want in? >> Who else? I'd like in please. Laura, is that a yes? >> Yeah, I'm happy to serve. I'm not giving any of you my children. >> Okay, good. Uh Jason, I would definitely

397
01:52:36.480 --> 01:52:51.920
be interested in serving. I will tell you knowing some of the other stuff I've got going at work if we've got other qualified people who are passionate about it certainly open to that. >> Um but would be more than happy to be part of it as [clears throat] well. >> No Paul. >> Yes.

398
01:52:51.920 --> 01:53:08.400
>> All right. So we got five of this. Who am I missing? Oh Becky. >> Yes. >> I'm way over on the end. Yes. I >> you were in black like the chair came and see. >> Jason's kind of. >> So yes. >> Yeah. I >> All right. We will uh get with Bri and we'll do the exact same shape of the of the paper and we'll put it in a box and we'll draw it out and we'll let you

399
01:53:08.400 --> 01:53:24.000
know. >> Thank you. >> If I'm on, can we make Byum do it, too? Cuz we just had to spend a year and a half hiring a pastor. So, since he's not here, let's delegate him. >> All right. Well, thank you. That's uh Is anything else further on the administrative candidate? No. >> All right. Anybody else have anything?

400
01:53:24.000 --> 01:53:39.599
We're under open discussion. Anything under open discussion? >> Sure. Just want to say thank you to Emily and Dave and uh department heads. Uh the budget presentation tonight was a great first step. I I really liked it. Uh like where we're headed. Um so thank

401
01:53:39.599 --> 01:54:07.840
you all. >> All right. Anything else? Take a motion to adjurnn. So move >> second. Breathe. >> Council member Waller. >> Hi. >> Council member Baskin. >> Hi. >> Council member Posma. >> Hi. >> I'd really like to.

402
01:54:07.840 --> 01:54:23.840
>> Council member Hely. >> I. >> Council member Obala. >> I. >> Council member Fischer. >> Hi. Council member at large Austin. >> I >> work session is adjourned. >> Thank you. Thank you all. Have a great rest of your night.

403
01:54:23.840 --> 01:54:58.320
>> I'll be your kid. I always want to do that. Yeah, I want to go find quite a few back to back. >> I want to hang out in the bar. >> Spend my time there. >> Is that right? >> It'll be fun though. It's an adventure.

404
01:54:58.320 --> 01:55:28.159
>> Good for you. Somebody wants to absolutely >> their budget they don't have a work for the countyy's