City Council Work Session Municipal Court and Council Chambers 14455 W. Van Buren St., Suite B101 Goodyear, AZ 85338 |
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CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Pizzillo called the Work Session to order at 5:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
- Present:
- Mayor Joe Pizzillo; Vice Mayor Brannon Hampton; Councilmember Sheri Lauritano; Councilmember Wally Campbell; Councilmember Bill Stipp; Councilmember Laura Kaino; Councilmember Patrick Bray
- Staff Present:
- City Manager Julie Karins; City Attorney Roric Massey; City Clerk Darcie McCracken
| AGENDA ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION |
1.
COMPENSATION STUDY OVERVIEW
Human Resources Director Lyman Locket reported on the City's Compensation Study which was completed in fulfillment of a goal of the Council's Strategic Plan. He was jointed in the presentation by representatives from the Segal Company.
Segal Company Representative, Ruth Ann Eledge, provided background information about Segal and discussed the City’s objectives related to the study. Ms. Eledge reviewed the total compensation philosophy’s role in designing compensation and benefits, as well as important points related to external versus internal equity, comparison markets, and other market factors beyond pay. She further discussed the criteria related to performing the study, the overall project findings, and the data related to the review of employee pay progression, tuition assistance, and deferred compensation plans.
Ms. Eledge stated that based on the findings of the study, it is recommended that an adjustment to pay structures is made to ensure market competitiveness.
Discussion ensued regarding the study findings, tuition assistance, sick leave payout, and the City’s deferred compensation plan.
Council expressed support for enhancing the tuition assistance program and indicated that the employee satisfaction survey would be helpful in determining how to proceed.
Segal Company Representative, Ruth Ann Eledge, provided background information about Segal and discussed the City’s objectives related to the study. Ms. Eledge reviewed the total compensation philosophy’s role in designing compensation and benefits, as well as important points related to external versus internal equity, comparison markets, and other market factors beyond pay. She further discussed the criteria related to performing the study, the overall project findings, and the data related to the review of employee pay progression, tuition assistance, and deferred compensation plans.
Ms. Eledge stated that based on the findings of the study, it is recommended that an adjustment to pay structures is made to ensure market competitiveness.
Discussion ensued regarding the study findings, tuition assistance, sick leave payout, and the City’s deferred compensation plan.
Council expressed support for enhancing the tuition assistance program and indicated that the employee satisfaction survey would be helpful in determining how to proceed.
2.
TRANSPORTATION PRIORITIES
Director of Engineering Sumeet Mohan presented a review of the City of Goodyear's transportation priorities. City Traffic Engineer Hugh Bigalk provided an overview of the currently funded FY2022 projects as well as 16 proposed FY2023 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) project types including: scalloped streets, traffic signals, Intelligent Transportation Systems and congestion reduction.
Mr. Bigalk identified $1,782,900 for four proposed FY2023 construction street projects to unscallop and reduce traffic congestion. He then reviewed the proposed FY2023 design street and traffic signal projects totaling $4,615,800 which included two cost recovery projects.
Mr. Mohan discussed the 20 new projects that are being proposed in the FY2021-27 CIP, planning for general obligation bonds for funding, a transportation master plan update and the hiring of a transportation planning manager.
Council inquired about the total number of CIP projects being proposed. Mr. Mohan explained that a total of 36 new projects were being proposed in the FY2023-27 CIP, but this presentation focused on the projects being started in the FY2023 CIP.
A discussion ensued regarding specific CIP projects throughout the city.
Council thanked Mr. Bigalk and Mr. Mohan for their presentation.
Mr. Bigalk identified $1,782,900 for four proposed FY2023 construction street projects to unscallop and reduce traffic congestion. He then reviewed the proposed FY2023 design street and traffic signal projects totaling $4,615,800 which included two cost recovery projects.
Mr. Mohan discussed the 20 new projects that are being proposed in the FY2021-27 CIP, planning for general obligation bonds for funding, a transportation master plan update and the hiring of a transportation planning manager.
Council inquired about the total number of CIP projects being proposed. Mr. Mohan explained that a total of 36 new projects were being proposed in the FY2023-27 CIP, but this presentation focused on the projects being started in the FY2023 CIP.
A discussion ensued regarding specific CIP projects throughout the city.
Council thanked Mr. Bigalk and Mr. Mohan for their presentation.
Mayor Pizzillo recessed the Work Session at 6:30 p.m.
Mayor Pizzillo reconvened the Work session at 6:45 p.m.
Mayor Pizzillo reconvened the Work session at 6:45 p.m.
3.
COUNCIL DISCUSSION ON POTENTIAL FY2023 REVENUE POLICY CHANGES
Finance Director Doug Sandstrom asked for a fiscal policy discussion related to revenue policies. Mr. Sandstrom discussed the elimination of the Food for Home Consumption tax. He relayed that with the elimination of the tax, the impact to the FY2023 budget would be a reduction of $5.3 million of ongoing annual revenue. Mr. Sandstrom referenced a previous discussion which suggested the City reduce the impact of the eliminated tax by utilizing the construction sales tax at one million dollars per year. He also provided a comparison to 17 valley cities noting that three cities do not charge a Food for Home Consumption tax and of the 14 that do charge a tax, the average rate is about 2.22 percent.
Council discussed the impact the reduction would have on the City’s revenue. Mr. Sandstrom confirmed Council's direction that there would be no change to the current tax amount.
Mr. Sandstrom further discussed the use of general fund revenue for transit, current City funding restrictions, and stated that the City’s financial policy requires the use of the most restrictive funding sources first.
Discussion took place regarding the type of transit options being discussed. Mr. Sandstrom clarified that some of the included programs would be microtransit, zoom routes, and buses. He indicated that a more detailed report would be brought before Council at a later date.
City Manager Julie Karins provided clarification that before the City asks the public for additional tax dollars, the City would look into already existing resources first.
Council requested additional information related to the funding of transit services in other cities.
Mr. Sandstrom continued the policy discussion with the property tax rate reduction. He stated that the current policy states the city can issue General Obligation bonds when the total property tax rate reaches $1.74 or less. He added that the current and planned debt will keep the rate at $1.735 through FY2024 and if no new debt was issued the rate would drop to $1.50 and continue to drop.
Discussion ensued related to the property tax rate and keeping the city’s debt as low as possible. The Council wished to maintain as much flexibility as possible to address budget needs, mitigate any future economic uncertainty, and maintain the maximum ability to issue bonds.
Council discussed the impact the reduction would have on the City’s revenue. Mr. Sandstrom confirmed Council's direction that there would be no change to the current tax amount.
Mr. Sandstrom further discussed the use of general fund revenue for transit, current City funding restrictions, and stated that the City’s financial policy requires the use of the most restrictive funding sources first.
Discussion took place regarding the type of transit options being discussed. Mr. Sandstrom clarified that some of the included programs would be microtransit, zoom routes, and buses. He indicated that a more detailed report would be brought before Council at a later date.
City Manager Julie Karins provided clarification that before the City asks the public for additional tax dollars, the City would look into already existing resources first.
Council requested additional information related to the funding of transit services in other cities.
Mr. Sandstrom continued the policy discussion with the property tax rate reduction. He stated that the current policy states the city can issue General Obligation bonds when the total property tax rate reaches $1.74 or less. He added that the current and planned debt will keep the rate at $1.735 through FY2024 and if no new debt was issued the rate would drop to $1.50 and continue to drop.
Discussion ensued related to the property tax rate and keeping the city’s debt as low as possible. The Council wished to maintain as much flexibility as possible to address budget needs, mitigate any future economic uncertainty, and maintain the maximum ability to issue bonds.
| INFORMATION ITEMS |
Councilmember Stipp announced that Valley Metro appointed a new CEO effective April 4, 2022.
Council expressed their excitement about Spring Training resuming.
Ms. Karins added that there would be an abbreviated Spring Training season and that opening weekend brought in over 13,000 visitors to the Goodyear Ballpark.
Council expressed their excitement about Spring Training resuming.
Ms. Karins added that there would be an abbreviated Spring Training season and that opening weekend brought in over 13,000 visitors to the Goodyear Ballpark.
| ADJOURNMENT |
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Pizzillo adjourned the Work Session at 7:37 p.m.
| __________________________ Darcie McCracken, City Clerk |
__________________________ Joe Pizzillo, Mayor |
Date:___________________ |