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 Lord called the Work Session to order at 5:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
- Present:
- Mayor Georgia Lord; Vice Mayor Bill Stipp; Councilmember Joe Pizzillo; Councilmember Sheri Lauritano; Councilmember Wally Campbell; Councilmember Brannon Hampton; Councilmember Laura Kaino
- Staff Present:
- City Manager Julie Arendall; City Attorney Roric Massey; City Clerk Darcie McCracken
| AGENDA ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION |
1.
General Fund FY2021 and FY2022 Status, Five-Year Forecast and Citywide Financial Policies
Finance Manager - Budget and Research Lauri Wingenroth presented the General Fund Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 and General Fund FY 2022 status. Ms. Wingenroth discussed the overall assumptions adding that there was no forecasted recession, but there was a forecasted slowing in the rate in which the City’s revenue was growing. She explained the factors that contributed to the City’s growth which included residential building permits.
Ms. Wingenroth discussed the retail sales tax forecast noting that the retail sales tax revenue for FY2021 was budgeted lower than what the City experienced last year. She also discussed the one-time resources stating that the bulk of the one-time resources came from construction sales tax and development user fees.
Ms. Wingenroth went on to discuss the expenditure assumptions stating that there was an assumption of 3.5% on the base budget growth which was consistent with what the City was experiencing before this year’s budget.
Ms. Wingenroth stated that the forecast that was being presented to the Council was compliant with all financial policies and discussed the key points.
Ms. Wingenroth explained the ongoing and one-time Five-Year General Fund forecast for FY2023 through FY2027.
Ms. Wingenroth provided details on financial policies that included construction sales tax policy, a new policy on use of funds prioritization and proposed revisions to existing financial policies.
Council asked if staff had looked at a forecast on the City’s economy for when COVID Relief Act funds come to an end. Ms. Wingenroth responded that there was no clear direction, but that the City of Goodyear would most likely experience a reduction in growth.
Council asked how revenues would be affected if Spring Training did not start as normal or did not start at all. Ms. Wingenroth stated that the City had assumed a reduced Spring Training revenue and, that the City was also prepared for the hotel/motel revenues to remain low.
Council thanked Ms. Wingenroth for her work on the budget and wished her well on her retirement.
Ms. Wingenroth discussed the FY2021-2022 Revenue and Expenditure Estimates.
City Manager Julie Arendall discussed the one-time resource fund amount of $45 million available for the next budget cycle. She discussed the two buckets where the dollars could be utilized as staff begins to program the budget. The two buckets included infrastructure and debt reduction. Ms. Arendall wanted to begin a discussion with the Council on how to prioritize the one-time revenues.
Council asked if there was a certain dollar amount that has been accounted for, for the Civic Square project, in the $45 million. Ms. Arendall replied that the Civic Square project had been completely funded.
Council discussed the options presented to them and felt they were viable and important options to work with.
Council also discussed using the funds to provide small business assistance.
Ms. Arendall also recognized Ms. Wingenroth on her last Council meeting and thanked her for her service.
Ms. Wingenroth discussed the retail sales tax forecast noting that the retail sales tax revenue for FY2021 was budgeted lower than what the City experienced last year. She also discussed the one-time resources stating that the bulk of the one-time resources came from construction sales tax and development user fees.
Ms. Wingenroth went on to discuss the expenditure assumptions stating that there was an assumption of 3.5% on the base budget growth which was consistent with what the City was experiencing before this year’s budget.
Ms. Wingenroth stated that the forecast that was being presented to the Council was compliant with all financial policies and discussed the key points.
Ms. Wingenroth explained the ongoing and one-time Five-Year General Fund forecast for FY2023 through FY2027.
Ms. Wingenroth provided details on financial policies that included construction sales tax policy, a new policy on use of funds prioritization and proposed revisions to existing financial policies.
Council asked if staff had looked at a forecast on the City’s economy for when COVID Relief Act funds come to an end. Ms. Wingenroth responded that there was no clear direction, but that the City of Goodyear would most likely experience a reduction in growth.
Council asked how revenues would be affected if Spring Training did not start as normal or did not start at all. Ms. Wingenroth stated that the City had assumed a reduced Spring Training revenue and, that the City was also prepared for the hotel/motel revenues to remain low.
Council thanked Ms. Wingenroth for her work on the budget and wished her well on her retirement.
Ms. Wingenroth discussed the FY2021-2022 Revenue and Expenditure Estimates.
City Manager Julie Arendall discussed the one-time resource fund amount of $45 million available for the next budget cycle. She discussed the two buckets where the dollars could be utilized as staff begins to program the budget. The two buckets included infrastructure and debt reduction. Ms. Arendall wanted to begin a discussion with the Council on how to prioritize the one-time revenues.
Council asked if there was a certain dollar amount that has been accounted for, for the Civic Square project, in the $45 million. Ms. Arendall replied that the Civic Square project had been completely funded.
Council discussed the options presented to them and felt they were viable and important options to work with.
Council also discussed using the funds to provide small business assistance.
Ms. Arendall also recognized Ms. Wingenroth on her last Council meeting and thanked her for her service.
Mayor Lord recessed the meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Mayor Lord reconvened the meeting at 6:36 p.m.
Mayor Lord reconvened the meeting at 6:36 p.m.
2.
Police Department Operations Overview
Chief of Police Santiago Rodriguez presented the Goodyear Police Department (Department) operations overview. Chief Rodriguez began by providing details about himself, the styles of leadership he uses and what his vision was as Police Chief.
Deputy Police Chief David Farrow introduced himself and provided his background. Deputy Chief Farrow expressed his excitement in working for the Department.
Chief Rodriguez discussed the State of the Department, provided a staff overview, a 2020 department review, and explained the significant changes in the Department’s processes.
Council asked about the vacancy numbers and if the level of service to the public was affected. Chief Rodriguez replied that while the positions were showing vacant, there was a person working in that vacant position and the level of service provided to the public was not affected.
Deputy Chief Farrow went on to discuss the Department’s metrics noting that the Department had 121 sworn positions and 50 non-sworn positions. He also discussed the future of the Department.
Deputy Chief Farrow reviewed the growth of the City and national trends, and explained the importance of the officer to resident ratio based on national and local models. The City of Goodyear currently had a 1.3/1000 officer to resident ratio.
Deputy Chief Farrow then provided information on the future of the Department. With regard to the future of sworn staffing, he explained that as the population increased, the Department would like to have an officer to resident ratio of 1.7/1000 which would consist of 326 sworn positions. He also reviewed the Department’s next steps which included a newly formed recruitment team and future facility needs.
Council asked what was the Department’s community outreach vision. Chief Rodriguez responded that community policing was still on his radar and explained that in person programs seemed to be more effective than virtual sessions because of the breakout sessions for parents, guardians and children. He added that it also required additional personnel and resources to conduct the outreach.
Council thanked Chief Rodriguez on how the Department handled the civil unrest and how the officers were respectful to everyone.
Council asked what the timeline was for the second phase of the Police Department Operations building construction. Senior Project Manager Troy Tobiasson responded that construction was anticipated to be completed in the fourth quarter of Fiscal Year 2023.
Council requested information on how many positions had been added to the Police Department since 2015 and what percentage of all positions did that number represent.
Deputy Police Chief David Farrow introduced himself and provided his background. Deputy Chief Farrow expressed his excitement in working for the Department.
Chief Rodriguez discussed the State of the Department, provided a staff overview, a 2020 department review, and explained the significant changes in the Department’s processes.
Council asked about the vacancy numbers and if the level of service to the public was affected. Chief Rodriguez replied that while the positions were showing vacant, there was a person working in that vacant position and the level of service provided to the public was not affected.
Deputy Chief Farrow went on to discuss the Department’s metrics noting that the Department had 121 sworn positions and 50 non-sworn positions. He also discussed the future of the Department.
Deputy Chief Farrow reviewed the growth of the City and national trends, and explained the importance of the officer to resident ratio based on national and local models. The City of Goodyear currently had a 1.3/1000 officer to resident ratio.
Deputy Chief Farrow then provided information on the future of the Department. With regard to the future of sworn staffing, he explained that as the population increased, the Department would like to have an officer to resident ratio of 1.7/1000 which would consist of 326 sworn positions. He also reviewed the Department’s next steps which included a newly formed recruitment team and future facility needs.
Council asked what was the Department’s community outreach vision. Chief Rodriguez responded that community policing was still on his radar and explained that in person programs seemed to be more effective than virtual sessions because of the breakout sessions for parents, guardians and children. He added that it also required additional personnel and resources to conduct the outreach.
Council thanked Chief Rodriguez on how the Department handled the civil unrest and how the officers were respectful to everyone.
Council asked what the timeline was for the second phase of the Police Department Operations building construction. Senior Project Manager Troy Tobiasson responded that construction was anticipated to be completed in the fourth quarter of Fiscal Year 2023.
Council requested information on how many positions had been added to the Police Department since 2015 and what percentage of all positions did that number represent.
| INFORMATION ITEMS |
There were no information items.
| ADJOURNMENT |
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Lord adjourned the Work Session at 8:05 p.m.
| __________________________ Darcie McCracken, City Clerk |
__________________________
Georgia Lord, Mayor |
Date:___________________ |