Strategic Planning 2-24-18

Agenda, Minutes, Recording: Part A, B, C, D

• Mr. Worthen gave a general overview of the current economic climate and outlook; then discussed general long term strategies and challenges that need to be taken in to account when we are making decisions now.
• Mr. Cardon discussed the current budget and its up to date performance throughout the departments.
• There was a group (staff and council) discussion on future budget challenges.  Of particular interest is the future sunset on our local option tax, and how that will affect Riverdale.  There will need to be long term strategies to prepare for this.  This could include a need to diversify and increase other revenue streams, and or significant cost cutting (services).
  • During this discussion about long term challenges there were multiple mentions (by Mr. Worthen and Mr. Cardon) of implementing a “franchise tax” in Riverdale as a way to diversify and increase revenue.  I’ve been outspoken in the past with my position against this strategy, for multiple reasons.  The number one reason I oppose franchise taxes is because it is a mechanism for the city to straightforwardly raise taxes on the residents while hiding behind utility companies. 
  • The city will generally use two arguments in favor of franchise taxes:  1- Everyone else is doing it -which needs almost no response, other than pointing out that this is pretty much logical fallacy number one (argumentum ad populum), and is never a good reason to do anything.  2- It’s because the utility companies are using Riverdale streets and other services to provide you their utility, so they should share in the cost of maintaining those services -When a franchise tax is imposed on a company, they can and will pass on 100% of those costs to residents immediately; so they will never contribute to “their share” of maintaining those city services.
  • Franchise taxes are a blatant and direct tax increase on citizens, and should be treated as such, from conception to implementation.
  • Franchise taxes disproportionately affect fixed and low income residents. 
  • If the city can provide clear data, that demonstrates the need to increase revenue to maintain a service level that Riverdale residents clearly desire, and this revenue cannot be reliably made elsewhere, or equivalent costs cut from elsewhere, the city should present an option to increase property taxes (which still remain very reasonable for our region).  If these prerequisites were met, I would support that.  But I will never support a revenue cop out like franchise taxes.
• The council and staff went through Capital Improvement Plans and budget situations with each department.
  • Some upcoming capital request include:  Mayor/Council:  tablets/devices for council.  Business Admin:  re-finished parking lots, LED lighting.  Community center:  blinds, furnaces, parking lot improvements.  Fire Dept:  garage doors, fire station “improvements”, kitchen and bath remodel, radios.  Parks/Trails:  lawn mower.  Police:  fleet replacement, radios.  Sewer:  line repair projects.  Storm Water:  improvement projects.  Streets:  snow blower, loader.  Water:  5400 S project, 1700 W project, Weber Basin connection, remote meters, Tank 1 landscaping, SCADA upgrade.
• The group briefly discussed Ritter Drive’s status and outlook.
• The group participated in an Open and Public Meetings Training, and discussed definitions and verbiage used in the agendas for our meetings.
• The staff and council will hold another Strategic Planning meeting on Saturday, May 12, 2018 to review and amend the FY-2019 Tentative Budget.

City Council 2-20-18

Agenda, Minutes, Recording

• The council heard from 2 residents during open communications with various concerns related to streets, curbs, code enforcement, staffing, and the landslide area.
• The council approved a line item adjustment in the general fund budget in preparation of work being done in the Coleman/Ritter Drive area.
• The council approved a bid for Granite Construction to handle the work on the 2018 Storm Water & Roadway Improvement Project; for $596,419.00.
• The council approved a bid for U.S. Foods to supply food for lunch services at the Senior Center.
• During discretionary items, I asked that we utilize our website more thoroughly to proactively provide all relevant information related to the landslide event, and ongoing efforts of the city.  Mr. Worthen responded positively to this.

RDA Board 2-20-18

Notice of Cancellation

City Council 2-6-18

Agenda, Minutes, Recording

• During open communications the council heard from several residents with various questions and concerns regarding the ongoing landslide situation on the east bench of the city.
• The council approved a resolution to make an official declaration of emergency for the landslide area.
• The council approved a final site plan for Krispy Kreme Donuts at the old Best Burger lot.
• The council gave consent to allow a possible name change to the veteran’s memorial to be decided by the veteran’s committee.

RDA Board 2-6-18

Agenda, Minutes, Recording

• The Board approved the RDA Board meeting schedule for 2018.
• I was given the opportunity to discuss my proposal/idea to set up an RDA Housing Fund assistance program (to help city mandated evacuees with related costs).  I put a lot of thought and research into what I know is a program that would have been helpful, legal, and just the right thing to do.  Even if current evacuated residents were not interested at this point, months after their own evacuations, it would be a great program to have in place on day one of a possible evacuation event.  No board members or staff were interested in discussing the idea. Only one board member made a single comment, which unfortunately only showed a complete lack of understanding of how our RDA housing programs work. 
  • There was a time when this city responded to challenges with ideas and strategies that were unique, clever and un-bureaucratic; with confidence, not timidness.  I am afraid those times are gone.  The difference now is the stark contrast between what we have aspired to create in the past, and what the current staff is willing to attempt to do.  My confidence in this board’s ability to utilize the RDA to its full potential, with this staff’s advice, is not super high.  We have to dare to peek outside of the bureaucratic box, not afraid to be leaders and creators.  Had we not been forward thinkers in the past, we wouldn’t have the successful programs or even the Senior Center that we have today.
  • The idea is dead, without a vote.

LOOKING AHEAD:

There will be City Council meetings on 3-6-18 and 3-20-18.  The RDA Board will meet on 3-20-18.  There is a Strategic Planning meeting on Saturday, 2-24-2018 at 8:00am at the Senior Center.  REMINDER: These monthly reports are only a brief summary (from my point of view) of our public meetings; you can always find more detailed information at riverdalecity.com.  These posts are also updated periodically as meetings take place during the month and new information and related links become available.