10-10-16 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

REGULAR MEETING October 10, 2016 Councilmember Oliver Davis thanked the Mayor for speeding up the $10.10 minimum wage because he had expressed the desire for that at our last Council meeting. Along with the Curbs and Sidewalks Program, those have been key issues that have come up from the district. He asked the Mayor for an outline of seven (7) things in this budget that we are actually doing to prepare for the 2020 fiscal cliff so that we can go out and explain it to our constituents and also the CSO agreement. Also, Councilmember Davis asked what we can do to address our tent city developing under the bridge. It is getting cold out and those people need shelter. He asked if we can open up more shelters or aid some other non - profits looking to help. Some of those people because of past reasons cannot stay in some of those shelters but they are still members of our community and we have to deal with the problem. Mayor Buttigieg responded those questions probably deserve richer answers than we probably have time for tonight but stated he would work on communicating clearly what we are trying to do about the fiscal cliff and CSO. On the homelessness issue, Suzanna Fritzberg, Deputy Chief of Staff for the Mayor's Office, is coordinating an interagency conversation and we are going to have a number of fairly swift and urgent dialogues with community partners to work on some solutions. There is probably going to a difference in the short, medium, and long -term solutions but we are certainly very conscience that it is on people's minds. Councilmember Davis asked that when they have those meetings if they could copy the Council on the emails to let us know. So many times we are asked as Councilmembers what are we doing as a City and he would like to be able to share those details. That could involve a member of the Council sitting in on the meeting so we actually know what the Administration is doing. Mayor Buttigieg responded that he would be happy to do that and if any of the Council present wished to compile a list of Councilmembers who want to be more in the loop on the homelessness issue we will take that and use it to keep Council informed. Councilmember John Voorde stated one (1) thing he is particularly impressed by and supportive of are the changes in the Parks Department and expansion of duties there. He stated he looks forward to seeing that playing out and the IT Department as well. So many things that are maybe beyond his technological skill level but can appreciate what is being done there. Councilmember Karen White thanked the Mayor for addressing the minimum wages for our employees, that was a top priority and for the City to have the opportunity to not wait until next year is a good move and our employees will be very pleased. As we end the budget process, she stated she wanted to publicly thank the Administration specifically John Murphy and his staff for all of their hard work and responded to the questions that the Councilmembers had. She also thanked them for attending all the meetings over the past two (2) months. She specifically likes the four (4) page summary that was developed by Jennifer Hockenhull, Councilmember White stated she has used that information multiple times and citizens have responded it is very user friendly. She stated she brings it to her visits to the neighborhood associations. She particularly liked the focus regarding salary adjustments of looking not at the individual but the position. Council President Tim Scott also thanked the Mayor for the minimum wage increase because it was definitely discussed within Council. Also following up on Councilmember Broden's comments, in his business they put out quarterly KPI reports. That may help transparency to get a KPI of what each department is doing in relation to the budget. That may help show citizens where we are at as a City throughout the year and go a long way for the Council as well. Mayor Buttigieg responded he will certainly take that idea into consideration and one (1) bit of good news from IT is next year we will be in a better position than ever before to satisfy that request. Council President Scott thanked the Mayor for his total report. RESOLVE INTO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE At 7:47 p.m. Councilmember Karen White made a motion to resolve into the Committee of the Whole. Councilmember Dr. David Varner seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. Councilmember Gavin Ferlic, Chairperson, presiding.