Finance Committee Agenda and Packet 2024 10 17

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City Council Finance Committee Meeting Minutes September 24, 2024 Page 7 of 8 is that we are moving away from wood products into exo-fit improved products. We can do whatever the committee prefers. Councilmember Hoefner commented that he leans towards pulling it out and removing any stations that are dangerous and that he feels it is a lot of money to replace them. Councilmember Hoefner commented on the steam room expansion project, asking if the funding could be reduced if we only focus on fixing what needs repair. The Director of PROS responded that we could revise the budget request to include only the repair work. Councilmember Fahey commented on the cost of zoom classes. The Director of PROS responded that this is a hot button topic with the community. The recommendation is from our Recreation Superintendent to end those programs because participation is down. The Recreation Advisory Board did recommend finding the funding to continue the programs. If that is the route we are going to go, the CIP is for a maximum of $80,000 to convert both fitness studios into zoom capable rooms. The recreation fund is able to absorb that without removing any other projects. We really don't think any of the other proposals at the RAB meeting are viable. We are out of compliance with our Microsoft and Zoom licensing with the way we are currently doing this, and we need to address that issue. The Director of IT gave a summary of the appropriate setup needed to make these rooms viable. The Director of Finance commented that the Recreation Fund is funding this expense, not the capital fund and the Recreation Fund has a healthy fund balance to cover this expense. Councilmember Kern asked if we have funding in the Recreation fund to cover recreation projects, why are there recreation projects coming out of the CIP fund? She is unsure both rooms need to be outfitted for Zoom classes and suggested that only one room be outfitted. The Director of PROS responded that classes are assigned to rooms based on class size and having the ability to run hybrid classes in both rooms or at the same time for the varying class size it would be worth the investment to do it in both rooms now rather than having to come back when prices are likely to increase. Councilmember Kern's recommendation is to provide access to people who are not able to join the rec center in person falls under DEI requirements. She feels it holds a high value priority. She added that there are people who would like to donate funds to move this project forward and she would like for staff to provide a better way for people to make contributions to projects like this. The Director of Finance confirmed that we don't currently have a donation policy. Councilmember Hoefner commented that he would like to see any donation policy proposal come before the committee using proper procedure. He also commented that he feels that $80,000 is a lot of money to spend on zoom classes that essentially serve 100 people, and he is curious if they feel that they are getting $800 of value out of it per person or if they think it is about a $50 value. He would love to see a cost structure that recovers at least some of the cost from the people using the zoom class. Councilmember Hoefner suggested the steam room project be reduced to repairs only. Councilmember Kern asked why the steam room project wasn't funded out of the Recreation Fund if it was such a high priority. The Director of PROS responded that the steam room project is funded out of the Recreation Fund. The Director of Finance added a point of clarification that the Recreation Fund does fund all of its capital projects. The Parks Fund has moved projects to the Capital Fund. Councilmember Hamlington commented that a written proposal is necessary. If we are going to talk about DEI in a zoom class, it can also be applied to the outdoor exercise equipment. She would love to scope this back to the capital projects and generally is on board with the idea if $1.7M for affordable housing allows us to meet our goals for matching grant funds down the road to close the gap for the Via Appia projects then so be it. If not, then 16/87