Read on Twitter
RT if you're up and ready for this Quarterly Work Session on the City Budget 
https://dmgov-org.zoom.us/s/89634505853?pwd=VlBEdWYrZjNBck5BdnN3ZWNNdHQyQT09
Livetweets begins here
https://dmgov-org.zoom.us/s/89634505853?pwd=VlBEdWYrZjNBck5BdnN3ZWNNdHQyQT09
Livetweets begins here
Sounds like Cownie isn't here, and Westergaard is leading as Mayor Pro Tem....she seems confused
The Finance Director is going over the schedule. It doesn't look like the police budget is going to be talked about specifically
The Finance Director is going over the schedule. It doesn't look like the police budget is going to be talked about specifically
"I'm sure the Mayor will be here soon..."
Did Cownie oversleep?
Did Cownie oversleep?
Schedule for the day
We're talking about Housing Services which consists of Section 8 and Public Housing
I will note the city just got rid of 16 public housing units and transferred a fraction of the residents over to Section 8
I will note the city just got rid of 16 public housing units and transferred a fraction of the residents over to Section 8
Nick is talking about the "disposition fund" which is where the money goes when they sell public housing units.
They use that money to maintain other public housing units
They use that money to maintain other public housing units
Westergaard is asking the obvious question: If we're maintaining the public housing program by selling units, how is this model sustainable
Essentially, what happens when the money runs out?
Essentially, what happens when the money runs out?
The answer we got is pretty contradictory from what we heard before
Apparently we don't rely on the disposition fund for the maintenance of public housing, which is the opposite of what was said immediately previous
Apparently we don't rely on the disposition fund for the maintenance of public housing, which is the opposite of what was said immediately previous
Mandelbaum asks why the voucher program has less funding. He thinks its a problem that we're not issuing vouchers.
Apparently there is a 2-hour required face to face meeting to issue a housing voucher. This is clearly a problem in a pandemic
It sounds like HUD is to blame
Apparently there is a 2-hour required face to face meeting to issue a housing voucher. This is clearly a problem in a pandemic
It sounds like HUD is to blame
It is clarified that we will get more vouchers with the sale of public housing
Gatto asks how the Housing Services department is staying open when the city is closed to the public. With few exceptions, they are only open by appointment. That is not accessible to the population they need to serve, but it sounds like Covid has also moved through the dept
Budget Breakdowns:
(the orange is public housing)
(the orange is public housing)
Poll: Would you prefer the City Government operates Public Housing itself, or subsidizes rent to landlords through Section 8?
I know it's a budget meeting, but there's no discussion of the need for housing. They're talking about managing the money, having previous surpluses cover future deficits...
In a program like this, we should be talking about how much money to spend based on the need
In a program like this, we should be talking about how much money to spend based on the need
It sounds like other cities/municipalities pay the City of Des Moines to partially subsidize the housing program under 28E agreements
They're talking about adding a new administrator position
They're talking about adding a new administrator position
They're talking about transitioning a lot of the processes to online, including payments and how this would be convenient for the city
Can we please acknowledge that moving operations online makes services less accessible to those who don't have access to the internet
Can we please acknowledge that moving operations online makes services less accessible to those who don't have access to the internet
They're talking about using Covid Relief funds to buy a kiosk to put at the Central Iowa shelter since "a lot of their clients come from there"
Instead of housing more people in an unemployment crisis and pandemic, they're going to buy a kiosk and new software
Instead of housing more people in an unemployment crisis and pandemic, they're going to buy a kiosk and new software
They're acknowledging that they don't know how much federal funding they're going to get
They're also talking about getting a consultant and a developer to help them at Royal View Manor. Privatizing more of the cities services
They're also talking about getting a consultant and a developer to help them at Royal View Manor. Privatizing more of the cities services
It sounds like they want to do a "land lease" on Royal View for 20 years to a private company and then transition all the residents to Section 8
We're talking more about the disposition (sale) of the cities Public Housing Units
Chris Johannsen says residents prefer to transition to Section 8 over staying in public housing. What makes the public housing program undesirable?
Chris Johannsen says residents prefer to transition to Section 8 over staying in public housing. What makes the public housing program undesirable?
Chris is talking again about the slowdown in providing Section 8 vouchers. This is going to be the focus of the next year, and he thinks it's going to take 9-12 months to get back up to their normal numbers of distribution
Chris says when they open up the waitlist for Section 8 they get 3500-4000 applications
Why is there no focus on housing those 4000 people/families?
Why is there no focus on housing those 4000 people/families?
There are 400 people left on the waitlist, and it is currently closed.
Josh is asking about the Rental Assistance Demonstration discussed earlier related to privatizing Royal View Manor
Josh is asking about the Rental Assistance Demonstration discussed earlier related to privatizing Royal View Manor
There is no requirement for the private company to keep the units affordable, but the city could require it
We're moving on to the next section
We're moving on to the next section
Now we're talking about SSMID districts (Self-Supported Municipal Improvement Districts). These are areas where property owners (usually businesses if I understand) pay extra in their property taxes to create a fund to update the area
These are the SSMID districts
I know for a fact that the Merle Hay Neighborhood has been waiting for the city to allocate money to update the Merle Hay Corridor and make it more walkable, in the vein of some of these SSMID districts
As Merle Hay Neighborhood gets less white I wonder if this will ever happen
As Merle Hay Neighborhood gets less white I wonder if this will ever happen
I would also like to note this is a way to prioritize areas that are more commercialized or more wealthy. Certain areas of the city will never get benefits or programs like this. Another way the city prioritizes businesses over residents
These are called "Self-Supported" districts, but are property taxes themselves not supposed to be a form of self support?
I think I heard Cownie. When did he get here?
We're on to Public Works
It's just really sticking out to me in this section where jargon and acronyms get more confusing how insufficient the automatic subtitles are as an accessibility measure
Budget Breakdown for the Sanitary Sewer program. It sounds like these totals are similar to the previous year
Another Breakdown without the payments to the WRA:
Voss is asking about the payment to Water Works (DSM WW 8%)
Sanders clarifies this is the result of a negotiation with Water Works, that covers more than Water Works' costs, but is cheaper for the city than running the facility themselves
Sanders clarifies this is the result of a negotiation with Water Works, that covers more than Water Works' costs, but is cheaper for the city than running the facility themselves
Bill Gray asks if these negotiations happened when Bill Stowe was still in charge
Scott confirms this
Gray says "I thought that was the case"
Scott confirms this
Gray says "I thought that was the case"
Breakdown of Capital Improvement Funding
They're talking about finding places where the city needs to expand the sewer service for development or redevelopment
Westergaard is asking about E 38th on the Northeast side and references people who are using well water, and if there were any plans to expand sewer service to this area
Jonathan Gano says there will be a process to decide where they do construction based on PlanDSM
Jonathan Gano says there will be a process to decide where they do construction based on PlanDSM
Westergaard concludes that she needs to continue talks with Water Works to get residents off well water, but that it would be nice to also have sewer
Gatto is talking about ideas for future development, and asking about studies related to these. This is related to some state legislative work they're doing
It sounds like Gatto got an answer he's satisfied with
It sounds like Gatto got an answer he's satisfied with
Sewer Separation projects are being discussed. This is the process of turning dual purpose pipes that carried storm water and sanitary sewer into single purpose pipes
They discuss the WRA approved Captial Improvement Projects. Apparently constitute 50% of the WRA's income. I still don't know what WRA stands for, but these meetings are not meant to be understood by those out of the loop
A summary of the Sanitary Sewer section:
Connie asks when the work will be done to make sure all the areas in the city that need them have sewer
I don't think she's getting a clear answer. They're completely relying on development and redevelopment to determine where they expand the sewer lines
I don't think she's getting a clear answer. They're completely relying on development and redevelopment to determine where they expand the sewer lines
It is clarified that trunk sewers are what the city is in charge of, just getting sewer to the area, but developers are responsible for getting sewer up to a building or residence
We've moved onto Stormwater Utility
Gatto sees that there are 21 full time staff in the Street Cleaning division, and asks if we have 21 street cleaning machines for them to operate
It seems Joe Gatto doesn't understand the concept of a work shift. Gano explains this to him
It seems Joe Gatto doesn't understand the concept of a work shift. Gano explains this to him
Budget Breakdown for Stormwater:
They have increased the budget in Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) with intention to complete more projects than in previous years
They're discussing the spike in miscellaneous in 2019 from buying flooded homes after the floods in 2018. Let's keep this in mind as the city continues to allow development in flood plains
Breakdown of Capital Improvement Funding
The largest CIP project is improving flood mitigation over the next 5 years for around $57 million
It looks like levy construction is the primary method of flood mitigation. Maybe an unintended function of the levies is guarding the houseless population from surveillance and persecution, which puts the camps in danger of being flooded. This has not been discussed
It sounds like the city is going to get an award for watershed mitigation. Whoo hoo.
Summary of the Stormwater section
Voss asks about discussion around on the south side of Gray's Lake. This is not included in the current budget, as nothing has been specified yet
We're on to Solid Waste, which includes the SCRUB program
I missed the S but CRUB stand for "Cleanup to Reduce Urban Blight"
What it really is is a program that allows people to throw away their junk in a big dumpster. They hold events once a month
What it really is is a program that allows people to throw away their junk in a big dumpster. They hold events once a month
Budget Breakdown for Solid Waste:
Westergaard asks about the 1% private property cleanup, and if that's covered by the homeowner
Sanders clarifies that these are referring to the public nuisance abatements when the city goes in to clean-up
Sanders clarifies that these are referring to the public nuisance abatements when the city goes in to clean-up
Gray asks how successful the city is at collecting those fees when the city cleans up a property they deemed a nuisance
They don't have a clear number, saying it's not a quick process, and sometimes the property isn't worth the amount they are trying to tax it for
They don't have a clear number, saying it's not a quick process, and sometimes the property isn't worth the amount they are trying to tax it for
Linda is asking about a school they demolished that is owned by a church in California and if they're going to get their money back.
Staff says they'll check on it
Staff says they'll check on it
Gatto is asking about implementing a curbside SCRUB day for folks who don't have a method to transport their junk. He says he asks for this every year and wants a number for how much it would cost. Especially if they are instituting a property maintenance ordinance
Staff says they'll check on it.
Staff often does not answer Council's questions, or seem interested in operating things in the way that the elected representatives request. Seems that staff just continues to operate things in the way they have planned
Staff often does not answer Council's questions, or seem interested in operating things in the way that the elected representatives request. Seems that staff just continues to operate things in the way they have planned
Changes in Budget for Solid Waste explained
Josh is asking about the lifespan on Solid Waste vehicles
The answer is 5 years. They can last longer, but it apparently costs more to run them after 5 years
Josh is asking about the electrification of the fleet (buying electric vehicles)
The answer is 5 years. They can last longer, but it apparently costs more to run them after 5 years
Josh is asking about the electrification of the fleet (buying electric vehicles)
Josh wants a longer discussion on the options for electrification. Sanders says the plan is to respond to what the market has available. He is talking about the risk of using an "untested product"
Gatto is asking about seeing a comparison of the performance between some trucks they bought a few years ago, and wants to see it before they buy anything new
It seems like council is wrestling with staff constantly, being kept away from information they requested
It seems like council is wrestling with staff constantly, being kept away from information they requested
Voss is asking about renewable fuels instead of electric, referencing Dane County, WI using compressed natural gas from their landfills
Cownie says they looked at the option through the WRA. It sounds like there were logistical problems. But they are generating revenue from CNG
Cownie says they looked at the option through the WRA. It sounds like there were logistical problems. But they are generating revenue from CNG
It sounds like compressed natural gas is being sold to natural gas customers, but is not being used by the members of the WRA
It sounds like the city has been looking at biodiesel as an option as well
It sounds like the city has been looking at biodiesel as an option as well
Gray asks how we dispose of vehicles after they have exceeded their useful life
The city sells the vehicles (to whom?) and the proceeds go back to vehicle replacement
The city sells the vehicles (to whom?) and the proceeds go back to vehicle replacement
Breakdown of rate changes for the Solid Waste utility: there is an increase of 3% with a subsidized 64 and 96 gallon keeping the price the same
They're reshuffling their recycling contracts, ending their current contract in October and making a decision on how to move forward in the future
Gatto wants to improve communication to the public about what can be recycled and what can't
Gano says the "contamination" rate has grown from 10% to 17% and they have done audits where they open a recycling bin and put a rejection tag on bins that contain unrecycleables
Gano says the "contamination" rate has grown from 10% to 17% and they have done audits where they open a recycling bin and put a rejection tag on bins that contain unrecycleables
The landfill charges recycling a tipping fee of $30/pound of waste, a "systemic problem" that costs twice as much to dispose of waste that goes to recycling
Moving onto Parking Enterprise
The cities 6 parking garages
They're discussing the 5th and Walnut parking garage and needing to do an assessment as they acquire it
Gatto asks about "the new garage" but Nick says they don't currently own it and are working with ABM on the sale
Gatto asks about "the new garage" but Nick says they don't currently own it and are working with ABM on the sale
Sanders explains the debt is payed for by TIF (tax increment financing in the area) and the revenue and maintenance costs will break even
Gatto asks "you think we're going to break even with no one working downtown?"
Gatto asks "you think we're going to break even with no one working downtown?"
Gatto asks about selling the entire parking system as it "isn't very profitable"
Sanders says he's "very interested in that"
Sanders says he's "very interested in that"
So the city wants to transfer all of our downtown parking to private ownership
New poll: Do you want the city to guarantee downtown parking, or do you want this to be left up to private companies?
New poll: Do you want the city to guarantee downtown parking, or do you want this to be left up to private companies?
I just want to point out what is being ignored: If we didn't spend so much of our budget on the police, we wouldn't have to worry about public services being profitable. We could just provide a service that the public needed and pay for it collectively (with taxes)
They're talking about Garage Occupancy, please excuse the overlay:
Voss asks if this is total occupancy, and staff doesn't even know what data is being shown in the chat they're presenting
Voss asks if this is total occupancy, and staff doesn't even know what data is being shown in the chat they're presenting
Voss says if this is total occupancy then downtown doesn't have a "parking problem" but a "walking problem"
I don't know what this means
Staff moves on
I don't know what this means
Staff moves on
Revenue breakdown for Parking:
and Expenditures:
Talking about next steps:
Transitioning to multi-space pay stations and pay-by-phone for parking downtown scheduled for 2021-23
Transitioning to multi-space pay stations and pay-by-phone for parking downtown scheduled for 2021-23
They're discussing upcoming facility improvement an maintenance. Money is allocated from Capital Improvements over the next three years
Carl asks about plans to remove snow from downtown to make parking meter accessible
Josh is less concerned about the meters and more concerned about crosswalks and transit stops. Why doesn't the city pay to clear bus stops across the city? Residents have to climb over snow banks
Josh is less concerned about the meters and more concerned about crosswalks and transit stops. Why doesn't the city pay to clear bus stops across the city? Residents have to climb over snow banks
Carl says he's concerned about the next few weeks. Jonathan Gano says after the unseasonably cold weather coming in tomorrow it's going to be a few weeks before they send crews in to haul out the snow (it's a nighttime operation)
It's time to take a break. I need one
Sounds like we're landing on a half hour break. We'll reconvene at Noon, and should wrap up at 2pm
Sounds like we're landing on a half hour break. We'll reconvene at Noon, and should wrap up at 2pm
