Meeting Summary
The Stillwater City Council and Stillwater Utilities Authority met to discuss the utilization of organizational cash balances. Key decisions included retaining $2.8 million in the general fund for transportation and stormwater projects, approving a 4% salary increase for general employees, and initiating rate studies for stormwater, electric, and water resources. The council also approved significant transfers from the Utilities Authority to the general fund to support various city projects and reserves.
Key Decisions & Votes
General Fund Cash Balance Utilization
01:06:40The council approved retaining $2.8 million from the fiscal year 2018 general fund for allocation to transportation and stormwater projects.
Stormwater Rate Study RFP
01:07:40Staff was directed to prepare an RFP for a stormwater rate study, with full implementation targeted by January 2020.
General Fund Reserve Policy
01:08:20Staff was directed to create a general fund reserve policy to be effective with the preparation of the fiscal year 2020 budget.
SUA Rate Studies (Electric & Water Resources)
01:15:00The SUA approved preparing an RFP for rate studies for the electric utility and water resources utility, with full implementation by January 2020.
Deferral of Electric Rate Escalator
01:15:50The automatic electric rate escalator scheduled for January 2019 was deferred until the rate study is completed.
Waste Management Reserve Funding & Transfer
01:18:00The SUA approved fully funding the Waste Management reserve to $1 million and transferring $1.8 million from Waste Management to the general fund for transportation and stormwater projects.
Administrative Reserve Fund Transfer
01:23:00The SUA approved transferring $3.55 million from the administratively designated reserve fund to the general fund for transportation, stormwater, computer refresh, employee raises, and airport reserves.
General Employee Salary Increase
01:31:00A 4% salary increase for both full-time and part-time general employees was approved.
Transportation Capital Projects Funding
01:32:00Staff was directed to prepare resolutions to fund recommended transportation capital projects at an estimated cost of $6.22 million, as outlined in Alternative One.
Stormwater Capital Projects Funding
01:33:00Staff was directed to prepare resolutions to adopt recommendations from Alternative One for stormwater projects, including funding the first phase of the master drainage plan and a stopgap project for Orchard Road.
Upcoming Community Events
Public Power Week
Recognizing Stillwater Electric Utility for its contributions and educating on the benefits of public power.
Fire Prevention Week
Focus on home fire safety, smoke alarms, and escape plans. Theme: 'Look, Listen, Learn. Be aware, fire can happen anywhere.'
Halloween Festival
Applications for trick-or-treat booths are due by Friday, October 12th. Neighborhood trick-or-treating is on October 31st.
Imagine a Day Without Water
Nationwide day of education and advocacy about the value of water. Visit thevalueofwater.org for more information.
Financial Matters
General Fund Positive Variance
Positive budget to actual variance from fiscal year 2018, retained in the general fund for transportation and stormwater projects.
Waste Management Reserve Funding
Amount transferred to fully fund the Waste Management reserve to its $1 million cap.
Waste Management to General Fund Transfer
Transferred from Waste Management to the general fund for transportation and stormwater projects.
Administrative Reserve to General Fund Transfer
Transferred from the SUA administratively designated reserve fund to the general fund for various projects including transportation, computer refresh, employee raises, and airport reserves.
Citywide Computer Refresh
Funding for citywide computer refresh, to be paid in cash rather than leased due to contract terms.
General Employee Salary Increase
Funding for a 4% salary increase for general employees, covering the period from December to June.
Airport Reserve
Transfer to the airport to help fund grant matches for future FAA-funded projects, including a potential new terminal.
Sales Tax Collections (July 2018)
Sales tax collected in July 2018, which fell 8.12% behind projections for September.
Public Comments
One citizen spoke in support of the capital transportation projects and the need for a master drainage plan. He also raised concerns about the multimodal portion of the husband street project and the lack of accessible historical drainage records.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Map amendment for 1504 West 8th (postponed to October 15th, 2018)
Deadlines
- Halloween Festival booth applications due by Friday, October 12th
Watch For
- Resolutions for approved financial transfers and project funding at the October 15th meeting
- Results of stormwater, electric, and water resources rate studies
- Development of a five-year pavement management plan
- Further discussion and public input on the Husband Street multimodal corridor project
- Staff proposal for a general fund reserve policy and SUA reserve policies
Announcements
- John and Sarah Doorman are new grandparents.
- State and federal preemption of local control over rights-of-way for small cell sites is a concern for the city.
- New 'Speak Up Stillwater' web platform launched for public input on city issues, starting with the community broadband utility feasibility study.
Agenda Summary
Proclamation on Public Power Week
Proclamation designating October 7-13, 2018, as Public Power Week.
Proclamation on Fire Prevention Week
Proclamation designating October 7-13, 2018, as Fire Prevention Week.
Consent Docket
Approval of routine administrative items.
Public Comment on Agenda Items Not Scheduled for Public Hearing
Opportunity for citizens to address the council on non-public hearing agenda items.
Public Hearing: Map Amendment for 1504 West 8th
Consideration of a map amendment.
General Orders A: Status of Organization-Wide Cash Balances with Recommendations for Utilization and Overview of Fund Reserve Calculations
Discussion and recommendations regarding the city's cash balances and reserve policies.
General Orders A.1: Funding Sources and General Reserve Policy
Recommendations for retaining $2.8 million in the general fund for transportation and stormwater projects.
General Orders A.2 & A.3: 4% Salary Increases
Recommendations for a 4% salary increase for full-time and part-time general employees.
General Orders A.4: Stormwater Rate Study RFP
Recommendation to go out for an RFP for a stormwater rate study.
General Orders A.5: General Fund Reserve Policy Development
Recommendation for staff to develop a general fund reserve policy.
Reports: Transportation Capital Projects
Staff report on recommended transportation capital projects and funding.
Reports: Stormwater Capital Projects
Staff report on recommended stormwater capital projects and funding.