Strategic Planning Meeting 2-25-17

Agenda, Minutes, Recording: Part “A”–“B”–“C”–“D”–“E”

• The City Administrator went over where the city stands in relation to our 2005 Action Plan directives, and reviewed our current Benchmark and Performance Measure status.
• The Business Administrator reviewed our current year budget status.
• The Council and staff had discussions on future revenue concerns regarding sales tax distribution changes, property tax and franchise tax.
• The Council and staff went through discussions with each department regarding Capital Improvement Projects, both current and upcoming.  The goal being to come to a consensus on prioritizing the projects.
• The Council heard from Committee Chair Mike Staten regarding bike and pedestrian projects and ideas to keep the city current and moving forward as a bicycle friendly community.
• The Council and staff discussed priorities for the upcoming budget concerning:  donations to non-profits, Ritter Drive engineering and traffic/pedestrian safety-signage/calming.
• The Council, by a 3-2 consensus, approved moving forward with City Council Meeting live video streaming in the upcoming budget.  I am very happy about this, as I believe it provides the maximum, real-time accessibility and transparency to the residents.  
• I’ve been a proponent of utilizing modern technology as often and as efficiently as we can in all aspects of city business and operations; and I think with today’s various discussions with the department heads, we are headed in that direction.
• During Discretionary items Councilor Arnold expressed some concern for how some agenda items may or may not move through the ‘staff-planning commission-city council’ process in an effective manner.  There was some interesting discussion on the matter.

*The next Strategic Planning Meeting will be Saturday, May 13, 2017 to review and amend the Fiscal Year 2018 Tentative Budget.

Special City Council Meeting 2-25-17

Agenda, Minutes, Recording

• The Council approved an updated site plan amendment for the Cutrubus Kia at                 770 West Riverdale Road.

City Council 2-21-17

Agenda, Minutes, Recording

• During Open Communications the council heard from 2 representatives of BHS’s Senior Class.  They made a request for a donation toward their Senior Party of $500; which has been awarded in recent years.  It is in the budget for them this year.
• The council heard a brief report from 2 representatives of the Riverdale Youth City Council.  Some of their recent activities include a trip to the state capitol for a legislative day and a Valentines Day activity they put together for community kids.
• The council provided consent to the Mayor regarding his appointment to the Planning Commission of resident Gary Boatright.
• The Council approved a resolution designating the small pocket park at 4400 S and Parker Drive as “Lions Centennial Park”, in honor of the Riverdale Lions Club, and their contributions to our community.
• The Council tabled an updated site plan amendment for the Cutrubus Kia.  To be considered at a future meeting.

RDA Board 2-21-17

Notice of Cancellation

City Council 2-7-17

Agenda, Minutes, Recording

• Fire Chief Sholly gave a report on the Fire Department’s Heavy Rescue 41 program regarding:  dispatching, mutual aid and perceived value of the program.  This program involves a specific truck and some specialized equipment being located at our station that is dispatched to respond regionally (mulit-county) by our Fire Department.  The program also involves specialized training and a unique sense of pride for our staff.  The net cost of the program to our residents (in both dollars and response minutes) remains unclear; in my opinion.
• The council approved the Planning Commission re-appointment of Commissioner Lori Fleming for a 4 year term.
• The council approved a Final Site Plan for a wireless rooftop tower on the roof of the Riverdale Wal-Mart.
• The council approved (3-2) a resolution, creating amendments to a lease agreement between the city and the owner of the cell phone tower located at our Public Works facility.  *I will note here that I voted against this resolution, mainly for 2 reasons.  The first reason is that I felt some of the language in the amendment was very liberal in favor of the tower company, and their ability to create possible new avenues of revenue at unrestricted levels.  This, in itself, wouldn’t be an issue if not for my second reason for voting no.  That reason is that the city appeared to be failing to consider itself, as the landlord, regarding possible new revenue.  It didn’t appear to even come up at any point in the negotiations.  Our city administrator even went so far as to call the original agreement a bad deal.  So, given the opportunity to amend the deal, and not even raise the question of new revenue, let alone ask for consideration due to it, is not my idea of sound negotiations.  Hence, my no vote.  *I will also note that the city attorney made 2 important points on the resolution.  He did say it was important for the agreement to be amended due to the new owner of the tower, and changing the name on the agreement was their right.  Also some of the amendment clarified the exact locations of the utility easements, and that would be in the interest of the city.  I had no problems with these parts of the amendment, and would have supported the resolution if not for the additional parts noted above.

LOOKING AHEAD:

There will be City Council meetings on 3-7-17 and 3-21-17.  The RDA Board will meet on 3-21-17.  You can always find more detailed information at riverdalecity.com. REMINDER: These monthly reports are updated periodically as meetings take place and new information and links become available.