minfin 11-25-19 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

development programs in the budget and ones in years past. Director Pae noted that year end encumbrances would not appear in the budget at this point and that budget appropriations will take place at year end.Councilmembers asked what the process is for editing the community vision. The process involves a review/approval by City Council, who then votes on the changes, and introduces a resolution to express the body’s support. While it is not a government document, it is used by the Planning & Development Department everyday to guide its approach to projects. Chairman O’Malley took a brief moment to acknowledge Councilperson-elect Tess Neff’s presence at the meeting. Councilmembers discussed the increase in salaries and fringe benefits from 2019 and the jump in contract services figures.Director Pae noted that there are many offsets with CDBG money, which provides an inaccurate appearance of numbers. The Planning & Development Department has not added much staff, however health insurance costs are going up city-wide. Department employee salaries are offset with CDBG money that is received from the federal government. It was noted that there was a marginal increase in CDBG funding last year that totaled under $100,000. The 2020 CDBG allotment from HUD should be on par with current levels. The salaries and benefits for the department include cost of living increases. Members concluded that department staff are skilled at the CDBG compliance work that they do and are generally creative with their projects. Members voiced their support for the direction of the department’s work and expressed a desire for the department to be more bold in its streetscape investment. Specifically, Councilmember Bullock mentioned his Council budget priority with members Litten and O’Malley that seeks to invest a quarter million dollars in streetscapes over five years to leverage economic development opportunities. Director Sylvesterstated that he wants to be successful with one or two streetscape projects first and then scale them further. Director Pae noted that Council proposed applying Lakewood Hospital funds to that project and she stated that the funds should be used strictly to ensure the success of One Lakewood Place. ORDINANCE 45-19-AN ORDINANCE amending Section 129.54, Operational Cash Funds, of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Lakewood to comply with previous changes to the chapter.(1st read & referred to Finance 11/18/19 Chairman O’Malley stated that he would like to get to Ordinance 45-19, but questioned if there was adequate time. Director Pae indicated that the subject of the ordinance is not urgent and can wait to be reviewed at a future meeting of the Finance Committee. CDBG/ESG Allocations Discussion Attendees: CAC Chair Lee Silvis & Development Officer Dan Wyman Development Officer Wyman and Lee Silvis, Chairman of the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) gave a presentation on CDBG/ESG federal funding streams and board operations this past year. Chairman O’Malley noted that the CAC exists to make recommendations to City Council in regard to how CDBG funding should be distributed and drew contrast to Cleveland’s process.Chairman Silvis indicated that he has served on the board for three years after being appointed by Councilmember Litten and that the board met 4 times throughout the year. The CAC heard presentations on various grant applications and generally was in lockstep on how CDBG funding should be distributed.Members questioned whether Mr. Silvis felt there were the right areas of expertise and he confirmed that this year’s CAC was a good group with new members that provided input. Development Officer Wyman led a presentation regarding CDBG/ESG funding streams and provided a packet that included basic information on the programs, their 5 year funding histories, and a 5 year