COUNCIL REVIEW - November 11th

1.Proposed increase to room tax rates - On October 14th, the Council requested that a public hearing be scheduled to consider raising the room tax rate from 6% to 7%, effective 1/1/09, to gain more funds for tourism and promotion. The last increase took effect on 1/1/05, when the rate was increased from 5% to 6%. After considerable discussion, the Council voted 6-0 to reject the room tax increase.

2.Proposed increase to taxicab fares - Upon recommendation by the Transportation Commission, the Council authorized submission of a request for federal and state taxi grant funds based upon a $.25 across the board fare increase, effective 1/1/09, and our 2009 budget is based on this, too. The taxifare increase passed 6-0.

3.Proposed 2009 employee health insurance renewal – Network Health - Network Health’s 2009 renewal includes an 11.1% premium hike. This would continue benefit levels required by the agreements with our unions, and it is within the range of premium increases that Network is seeing with most of its other clients. The renewal passed 6-0

4.Proposed 5-year agreement for assessing services – Action Appraisers - At Council’s request, staff sought bids for assessing services under multiple options, as highlighted on the attached spreadsheet. After reviewing the bids, staff recommends Action Appraisers with Option #3, at a cost of $149,500. Our 2009 budget covers the first year amount. There will be a MAJOR change in the way we do appraisals. Instead of one city-wide appraisal in 2012, we will do a quarter of the city each year, starting in 2009. One of the main reasons is to reduce the potential hit on 2012 budget, which would have been about $50,000 over the amount we will pay under the new system.

5.Request for “Media Director” position – Cable TV Advisory Committee - At our last budget meeting, the Council showed willingness to add a “Media Director” position, who would be responsible for cable programming, website management, news releases, etc. Proposed budget and a job description are attached. The council rejected the proposal, 6-0

6.Request to reduce and modify membership for citizen advisory board - Passed 6-0
Loan Review Board, from 10 to 7 members (3 bankers, mayor, city administrator, one council member, and one citizen at large)
Park & Recreation Committee, from 7 to 5 members (we have 5 members now, so no immediate membership change is needed)