City Council Agenda and Packet 2013 11 04

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Special Meeting Minutes October 8, 2013 Page 11 of 12 descriptions for those positions. He asked Police Chief Goodman to address the request for two additional police officers. Police Chief Goodman explained the police department currently has a staff of 37. In 2007 there were 39 staff members and they are trying to get back to 39. He noted the City has grown, the schools are maxed out, their responsibilities have increased and their call load has increased. He stated the City has a very low crime rate, which the department is able to handle. The police department has a very low turnover rate and anaging workforce. More officers are off on injury leave, some work related and some not. The officers are also maxed out on their leave time and must take time off or lose it. Chief Goodman stated the Police Department is not asking for anymore than what they had in 2007 and he would provide Council with additional information. Council member Yarnell stated the crime rate is low, but the Police Department spends a lot of time with the public on non-criminal issues. She stressed this is very important and good work that is not reflected in the statistics. Mayor Muckle requested information on a per capita basis from the Police Department. City Manager Fleming will bring more information at the next meeting on the Arts Council member Loo addressed the following budget items: The tree budget should be increased because of the tree borers found in Ash trees;the open space and trails wayfinding signage should be readable;the restrooms at the Harper Lake should be installed before the restrooms at Aquarius; the restrooms at the Xeric Gardens at the Arboretum should be put in before the other parks; the xeric gardens proposed for the open space should be reconsidered and leveling the current xeric garden should be moved up to eliminate weeds.She asked if there are any other funding sources available for the quiet zones. Deputy City Manager Balser stated there is always a potential for other funding sources such as RTD, DRCOG or other transportation initiatives. Council member Loo inquired whether the decorative newspaper boxes doanything other than hold newspaper. Planning Director Russ explained the decorative newspaper boxes are a part of the walkability plan for the downtown area. The boxes would house an aesthetically pleasing multi-newspaper container at the downtown kiosk and eliminate newspaper boxes from encroaching into the sidewalk and from being chained to the light poles. Mayor Pro Tem Dalton addressed the four General Fund long term options and supported a combination of Option 3 and Option 4. 1. Increase General Fund Revenue. 2. Voter Approval to Increase Open Space & Parks Fund Revenue. 32