HomeMy WebLinkAboutApproved Minutes - 1989-10-05 October 5, 1989
A regular meeting of the Lake Oswego Budget Committee convened at
7 : 05 p.m. in the Council Chambers, City Hall. Present were:
Mayor Schlenker, Councilors Holman, Fawcett, Anderson; citizen
members Fuller, Kopplien, Prange, Berentson and Sievert.
Councilor Holstein arrived at 7 : 30 p.m. ; citizen member Loftus
arrived at 7: 45 p.m. Councilors Durham and Churchill, and
citizen member Giri were excused. Also present were City Manager
Peter Harvey and City staff.
III. Chair Fuller announced nominations were open for the
selection of officers for the 1990-91 budget year.
Councilor Anderson nominated, and Mr. Berentson seconded
the nomination of Lee Fawcett for Chair. Mr. Fawcett was
elected Chair by unanimous vote. Mr. Fawcett announced
nominations were open for the position of Vice-Chair.
Mayor Schlenker nominated, and Councilor Holman seconded,
Karen Kopplien. Ms. Kopplien was elected Vice-Chair by
unanimous vote. Vice-Chair Kopplien nominated, and Mayor
Schlenker seconded, Councilor Holman for the position of
Secretary. Councilor Holman was elected Secretary by
unanimous vote.
IV. Approval of Minutes of May 17 and May 18, 1989. The
minutes of the meeting of May 17, 1989, were approved, with
a correction to be made in the first paragraph which
mistakenly referred to Chair Fuller as "Councilor Fuller. "
The minutes of the May 18, 1989 meeting were approved as
submitted.
V. Review of Strategic Financial Plan Subcommittee Report and
Recommendations. Chair Fawcett requested that Assistant
City Manager Robert Kincaid and Finance Director Bruce
Griswold review briefly the Police/Fire fund financial
projections and related assumptions which had previously
been distributed to the committee. Mr. Kincaid explained
the approach used in presenting the data, emphasizing the
differences between "historical" and "projected" figures.
Staff answered questions from the committee regarding the
exhibits. Mr. Kincaid thanked the subcommittee for the
time it had devoted over the past several months in
developing its recommendations.
Chair Fawcett asked if the Budget Committee felt
comfortable with the recommendation of the subcommittee to
adopt a new format for the strategic financial plan for all
funds, which would include "what if" calculation
capability. Members of the committee expressed approval of
that recommendation.
Chair Fawcett reviewed the subcommittee's recommendation to
establish a Public Safety Equipment Fund to handle major
equipment purchases , as well as build up the fund for
future purchases as may be required. In response to Chair
Fawcett ' s question regarding the Budget Committee ' s general
feeling about establishing a Public Safety Equipment Fund ,
members expressed agreement with the proposal .
City Manager Peter Harvey stated that a Council Resolution
would be needed to establish the Public Safety Equipment
Fund.
Chair Fawcett announced it is apparent that before the end
of the current 3-year Police-Fire levy, some major
decisions will have to be made concerning revenues. The
subcommittee had proposed exploring two ideas: one, an
updated tax base for the City and two, another serial levy.
He pointed out that other options were available:
reduction in service levels or alternative ways of
delivering services at less cost (privatization,
volunteers , contracted services) . Councilor Holman stated
he agrees that these alternatives need to be explored .
Discussion ensued on the advisability and timing of
recommending a new operating levy. Councilor Holstein
suggested that this issue be placed on the agenda for
discussion during the 1990-91 budget process .
Police/Fire Service Levels : Chair Fawcett stated that the
subcommittee had felt comfortable with the current plans
for Fire Department service levels , i .e . , to respond to 95%
of the emergency calls within five minutes , and concurrence
was expressed by members of the Budget Committee. Mr .
Fawcett stated that the subcommittee had not been able to
arrive at specific service level recommendations , however ,
for Police service levels, but felt the matter needed to be
addressed.
Chair Fawcett recommended that the meeting proceed to the
next item of business and return to the Police Department
matter for further discussion as time permitted.
VI. 1990-91 Budget Process: Chair Fawcett stated it was the
feeling of the subcommittee that because there are no new
members serving on this year ' s Budget Committee, it is
unlikely that they will require the detailed departmental
presentations and lengthy introductory process as would be
the case with first-time members. The group proposed March
as a likely date to begin the 1990-91 budget meetings .
Peter Harvey stated that staff will develop a preliminary
schedule, to be available in about 30 days .
Mr . Fawcett informed members it is hoped that the
consultant 's cost of service study on the Public Works
Department will be completed by the time the Budget
Committee begins its work .
Lake Oswego Budget Committee Minutes Page 2
October 5, 1989
Returning to the agenda item concerning Police Service
Levels, Chair Fawcett asked if anyone considered it
advisable to form a subcommittee in the meantime to examine
Police issues and attempt to come up with recommendations
to the full Budget Committee when it reconvenes in March.
After some discussion, several members expressed the
opinion that a subcommittee would be a worthwhile effort.
Karen Kopplien suggested that the subcommittee examine and
develop a list of alternatives to simply adding more Police
staff. Chair Fawcett asked for volunteers for a Police
subcommittee. Citizen members Sievert and Prange, and
Councilor Holstein volunteered.
Chair Fawcett asked for a volunteer to replace himself as
Chairman of the Strategic Financial Plan Subcommittee.
There were no volunteers.
The meeting adjourned at 8: 50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
ea-64-s
Kathy Kelley
Recording Secretary
Lake Oswego Budget Committee Minutes Page 3
October 5, 1989