Mayor Lord called the Retreat to order at 1:09 p.m.

City Manager Julie Karins welcomed everyone and asked if there were any follow-up thoughts from Monday.

Council asked for more owner-occupied structures rather than multi-family rentals and reiterated the thought from Monday to finish up the projects that were currently in process or planned.  Council asked for a study to be done prior to moving forward with a symphony hall due to the costs and asked for research for potential partnerships.

Finance Director Doug Sandstrom gave a high level review of the expected economic growth, retail growth, housing, single family residential permits, and commercial activity.  He then spoke about the current 2022 budget general fund including sales tax forecasts, property tax valuations, rates and levies and state shared revenue.  He continued with an overview of the capital improvement plan and funding. 

Mayor Lord recessed the meeting at 2:22 p.m.

Mayor Lord reconvened the meeting at 2:39 p.m.

Mr. Sandstrom spoke about G.O. Bonds and the authorized unissued bonds only being available for storm sewers and bridges and wastewater/sanitary sewers.  He continued that potentially issuing additional bonds would need to go to a general election with a recommendation in November 2024.  Mr. Sandstrom spoke about the tax rate of $1.74 and maintaining that through FY2025.  Council discussed the process and the planning that would need to take place.

Mr. Sandstrom reviewed the upcoming process for updating the development impact fees beginning in 2022.  He then spoke about the FY2023 budget process.  

Council spoke about staying ahead of the growth with infrastructure such as roads and water and continue being conservative financially and finishing up projects currently in place.  Council continued that code enforcement, public safety and assessing roads and congestion to improve the flow are important.  Council discussed developing a strategy to dedicate part of the tax revenues to high priority projects and services.

Ms. Karins asked for direction on how to proceed with the budget, and more specifically, with more ongoing expenditures or focus on one-time requests.  Council commented that they trust the City Manager and staff to provide for the needs of the community and city and continue with a moderate balanced budget.

Human Resources Director Lyman Locket spoke about the new federal holiday of Juneteenth and the cost to the city and asked for Council direction on if it should be added to the list of city holidays.  Council provided policy direction to move forward with the additional holiday.

City Clerk Darcie McCracken reviewed three options for City Council meetings for the 2022 calendar year.  City Manager Julie Karins explained that with the change in the charter, the city is no longer required to have two meetings per month.  After discussion, Council consensus was for the third option which was to have two meetings in July and one meeting in August.  Council also discussed the start time and possibly having public hearings from Development Services on both nights.  Council consensus was to maintain the 6:00 p.m. start time and continue to work towards a highly efficient and fast turnaround for planning and zoning items.  Ms. Karins added that staff would continue to work towards efficient meeting management.