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COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
The Council Committee of the Whole Meeting was held on January 26, 2016, at 6:00 p.m., with
Council President Slavin presiding. Members of Council present were Mr. Anderson (arrived at
6:21 p.m.), Mr. Sudler, Mr. Cole, Mr. Hare, and Mr. Hutchison. Mr. Neil, Mr. Lewis, and Mr. Hosfelt
were absent. Mayor Christiansen was also present. Mr. Slavin advised that the voting members for
each committee would include all members of Council, as well as the two (2) civilian members for
each particular committee.
SAFETY ADVISORY AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
The Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee met with Council President Slavin presiding in
the absence of Chairman Hosfelt. Members present were Councilmen Hutchison and Sudler,
Mr. Keller, and Mr. Shelton.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mr. Sudler moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Keller and unanimously
carried.
Proposed Ordinance #2016-05 - Amending Chapter 106 - Traffic and Vehicles, Article III -
Stopping, Standing and Parking, Division 2 - Metered Parking, Section 106-164 - Violations;
Penalties
Mrs. Traci McDowell, City Clerk, informed members that the Police Department requested Proposed
Ordinance #2016-05 to reduce the maximum number of past due or accumulated violations from
five (5) to three (3) in order for a vehicle to be subject to enhanced civil enforcement. She explained
that the Department was getting ready to order a new stock of violation permits or ticket books.
Since the dollar amount related to enhanced civil enforcement for accumulated unpaid violations was
previously reduced from $200 to $100, the Police Department felt that the maximum number of past
due or accumulated violations should be reduced correspondingly.
Mr. Hutchison moved to recommend adoption of Proposed Ordinance #2016-05, as
recommended by Staff, seconded by Mr. Cole and unanimously carried.
Request for Waiver - Appendix B - Zoning, Article 5 - Supplementary Regulations, Section 17
- Emergency Access Requirements - Waiver of Emergency Rear Access Requirement for The
Grande, Building 4: Planned Neighborhood Design - Senior Citizen Housing Option
(Application C-15-04)
Mrs. Ann Marie Townshend, Director of Planning and Community Development, reviewed a request
for waiver of the emergency rear access requirement for The Grande, Building 4. She informed
members that this waiver request was related to the requirement in the Zoning Ordinance for a
24-foot wide emergency rear access. Mrs. Townshend noted that although this is a requirement in
the City’s zoning ordinance, it is not in the State Fire Prevention Regulations or any of the other fire
codes that the City has adopted. She reminded members that The Grande currently had three (3)
buildings and they previously applied for and received the emergency rear access waiver for these
buildings.
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Mrs. Townshend stated that the request was reviewed by Staff, the Fire Marshal’s Office, and the
Development Advisory Committee (DAC). She noted that the request was also sent to the Dover
Fire Department and no comments were received. Mrs. Townshend advised members that the site
will comply with the State Fire Prevention Regulations, and the building will be sprinklered and
have the 24-foot fire lane coverage in the front. She stated that it also will have the perimeter access
required under the State Fire Prevention Regulations, noting that some of those provisions were not
in place at the time that the corresponding zoning text was developed.
Mrs. Townshend stated that Staff recommended in favor of the requested waiver. The Planning
Commission held a public hearing on the conditional use site plan for the apartment building and,
after reviewing the DAC comments, also recommended the requested waiver.
Mr. Hutchison asked who sits in on the review process. Responding, Mrs. Townshend explained
that the City’s DAC includes the Planning Office, Fire Marshal’s Office, Public Works, Kent
Conservation District, and Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT). She stated that the
plans are also distributed to police, fire and others, and meeting agendas are also provided to the
school district. Mrs. Townshend informed members that she recently had a discussion with the Fire
Department about participation in the DAC process. She noted that the Fire Department has
someone who reviews plans as they come through and, although Staff may not receive comments
from the Department, it does not mean they are not looking at the plans.
Mayor Christiansen strongly urged that all the departments that Mrs. Townshend contacts as part of
the review process memorialize their objections or lack of objections in a letter to her so that she has
a paper trail.
In response to Mayor Christiansen, Mrs. Townshend reiterated that she did talk to the Fire
Department about this request and they indicated that they did not have any written comments to
share. Mayor Christiansen stated that he would insist on written notification regarding comments
or a lack of comments, noting that the leadership of the Fire Department changes on an ongoing
basis.
Mr. Sudler asked how recent Mrs. Townshend’s discussion was with the Fire Department and if she
had spoken to the new Fire Chief. Responding, Mrs. Townshend stated her belief that she talked to
Chief Hall before he left, as well as Mr. Carter Knotts, the Fire Chief’s Assistant, who shared what
the Fire Department’s strategy would be for reviewing plans that go through the DAC.
Mr. Sudler asked for Mrs. Townshend’s opinion regarding the Fire Department’s overall feeling
about the project. Responding, Mrs. Townshend reiterated that the Department indicated that they
did not have any comments. Mr. Sudler questioned if Mrs. Townshend thought that their lack of
comments meant that they agreed with it. In response, Mrs. Townshend stated that she would not
want to presume anything, noting that she gave the Fire Department every opportunity to object if
they had any concern.
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Mr. Sudler moved to recommend approval of the waiver for the elimination of the emergency
rear access requirement for The Grande, Building 4: Planned Neighborhood Design - Senior
Citizen Housing Option, as recommended by Staff and the Planning Commission, seconded
by Mr. Cole and unanimously carried.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Subcommittee Report
Mrs. Ann Marie Townshend, Director of Planning and Community Development, informed members
that during the last Bicycle and Pedestrian Subcommittee meeting, members discussed the
importance of, with some regularity, updating City Council and the Safety Advisory and
Transportation Committee on the Subcommittee’s activities. She stated that Mr. Jim Hutchison,
Subcommittee Chair, was not able to attend the meeting; however, he hoped to be present at future
meetings.
Mrs. Townshend noted that a number of Council members had attended some of the Subcommittee
meetings and may be aware of some of things that have been going on. She reminded members that
approximately one and one-half years ago the City received honorable mention through the League
of American Cyclists as a bicycle-friendly community. Mrs. Townshend stated that the
Subcommittee was currently in the process of working on a walk-friend community application, and
trying to obtain credentials to market the City as a bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly city. She
informed members that, under the leadership of the Dover-Kent County Metropolitan Planning
Organization (MPO), the Dover Pedestrian Plan and the Dover Bicycle Plan were completed, noting
that they were approved by City Council during their Regular Council Meeting of April 13, 2015.
Mrs. Townshend stated that the Subcommittee had held a number of events, including the third
Annual Bike to Work Day last May. She informed members that the Subcommittee was actively
planning for the 2016 Bike to Work Day, which she believed would be held on May 18th.
Mrs. Townshend noted that on the evening of May 18th the Subcommittee would also host the
second Annual Ride of Silence, which is a very short, quiet ride intended to remember and raise
awareness of those who have lost their lives in cycling accidents.
Mrs. Townshend advised members that the Sub-Committee had been working very closely with
Capital School District to introduce bicycle safety information into the curriculum of the physical
education program in the District and, so far, it had been very well received. She stated that on the
City’s Parks and Recreation Department website, staff had added a page for bicycle and pedestrian
information. Mrs. Townshend indicated that the Subcommittee was working with the schools to put
out a bike rack design contest, noting that this was their second try because they did not get any
entries last year.
Mrs. Townshend informed members that the most significant activity that the Sub-Committee is
working on, with the City’s Parks and Recreation Department, is planning a Dover Duathlon. She
noted that there used to be a popular, introductory running/cycling event called Du-Dover which
started at White Oak Park and ended at Dover Park; however, the company discontinued the event.
Mrs. Townshend stated that a Dover Duathlon was planned for the morning of April 23, 2016. She
noted that members of the Sub-Committee were working to get sponsorships so that, in addition to
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covering costs, there could be a small contribution to an organization dealing with traumatic brain
injury, which the Sub-Committee felt was important due to the tie between bicycle safety and brain
injury. Mrs. Townshend informed members that the event was for the entry-level, multi-sport athlete
and would include a mile-and-a-half run, followed by an eight (8) mile bike ride, followed by a mile-
and-a-half run, and information regarding the event was on the City’s website. She stated that the
Subcommittee was also going to try to get a number of City staff to participate, and indicated that
she hoped to do so.
Councilman Hutchison stated that the Subcommittee was outstanding and consisted of hardworking,
focused men and women. He noted that the members were very dedicated to the cause and would
make a difference.
Mrs. Townshend noted that the Subcommittee had brought forward ideas and formed a relationship
between residents, DelDOT, the MPO, and the City, and through this group DelDOT had now found
money for a number of projects and was making a significant investment.
Mr. Sudler asked if the bike/pedestrian friendly initiative would be included in the White Oak/Dover
Park comprehensive plan. Responding, Mrs. Townshend explained that the Duathlon was a one (1)
day event that would be held at the park. She expressed hope that the event will continue to be an
end-goal event that will bring people to Dover, noting that when the City has successful events in
the parks, it brings people who may not have otherwise come to the park and provides an opportunity
for people to see what the City has to offer. Mrs. Townshend stated that the City always hopes to
create park enthusiasts through recreation programming.
Mr. Sudler asked how close the City was to implementing the White Oak comprehensive plan. In
response, Mrs. Townshend stated that the City had not solicited proposals yet and a consultant would
be needed.
Mr. Shelton asked whether the Subcommittee had started advertising for the Duathlon, noting that
he is involved with runners and cyclists and had not heard about the event. Responding
Mrs. Townshend explained that the details had just started to come together during the last month.
She offered to provide copies of a recently created brochure to Mr. Shelton. Mrs. Townshend
informed members that the event was being managed by TriSports and would be advertised on their
website, which has a captive audience; however, she agreed that the Subcommittee needed to look
at other advertising options as well.
In response to Mr. Shelton’s question regarding sponsors, Mrs. Townshend confirmed that the
Subcommittee was seeking sponsors. Staff had prepared a letter for the Subcommittee to use, but
staff had informed the Subcommittee that City staff would not solicit sponsors. She noted that the
material could be provided to any members who may know potential sponsors.
Responding to Mr. Sudler, Mrs. Townshend stated that the event would be held on the morning of
Saturday, April 23, 2016.
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Mr. Hare moved to recommend acceptance of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Subcommittee
Report, seconded by Mr. Hutchison and unanimously carried.
Mr. Sudler moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Keller and unanimously carried.
Meeting adjourned at 6:18 p.m.
LEGISLATIVE, FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
The Legislative, Finance and Administration Committee met with Chairman Hare presiding.
Members present were Councilmen Cole and Sudler, Ms. Maucher, and Mr. Shevock.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mr. Sudler moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Shevock and unanimously
carried.
Persimmon Park Place Drainage Project
Mr. Scott Koenig, City Manager, advised members that City staff had been working with
representatives from the Permission Park Place community, the Department of Natural Resources
(DNREC) and the Kent Conservation District, as well as State legislators regarding drainage issues
associated with Persimmon Park Place.
Mr. Koenig informed members that approximately 12 to 15 years go, the City agreed to take the
streets, rights-of-way, and utilities under public dedication in Persimmon Park Place. At that time,
the City elected not to dedicate the storm water infrastructure in the subdivision because much of
it was located behind the houses, in unusual places that were not in standard easements, and it some
cases it was failing and continues to fail.
Mr. Koenig explained that staff, as well as State representatives, had been working with several
residents on specific drainage issues, predominantly on the east boundary of Persimmon Park Place
where it abuts Wild Meadows. He stated that a preliminary drainage study was done approximately
a year-and-a-half ago, and the final recommendations were made in March of 2015. Mr. Koenig
informed members that the preliminary study indicated the need for a final design for a potential pipe
to go in the rear yards of several houses, and the pipe would be in a dedicated public easement. He
stated that the new pipe would be constructed and eventually turned over to the City of Dover for
maintenance. Mr. Koenig informed members that, since this was not currently a City-funded project,
the legislators and the State agreed to cover the cost of the design phase of the project, for a total
amount of $27,250. He stated that 90 percent of the funding would come from the 21st Century
Fund and the other 10 percent would come from Representatives William Carson and Brian
Bushweller as part of their community transportation funds. Mr. Koenig advised that there were
agreements attached to this project, explaining that if Staff receives endorsement from the
Committee and Council, they intend to execute the agreements and begin the design phase of the
project. He stated that once actual construction estimates are received, the City will have to make
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a decision as to how the project will be constructed, noting that it is Staff’s intention to seek
additional community transportation funds and/or 21st Century Funds for the construction.
Mr. Koenig explained that, since this project is not in the current CIP, it was Staff’s desire to initiate
the design phase, assign a project number, and obtain authorization from City Council to be working
on this project.
Mr. Koenig stated that Staff was requesting authorization to execute the two (2) agreements to fully
fund the Persimmon Park Place Drainage Project and begin the design phase of the project in order
to finalize the design and ultimately move forward with improvements regarding these drainage
concerns in Persimmon Park Place. No City of Dover money will be used to pay for the design
phase of this project.
Mr. Shevock questioned whether the project would be completed in accordance with City or State
specifications and who would do the inspection when it goes to construction. Responding,
Mr. Koenig explained that when the project goes to construction, it will most likely be inspected
under City of Dover specifications and it will be consistent with both the City’s Public Works
Construction Manual and DNREC Conservation District Construction Manual. He stated that there
would be some joint review and the infrastructure will meet both standards.
Responding to Mr. Hare, Mr. Koenig confirmed that there would be no City money spent on the
design for the project.
Mr. Hare asked if this matter would be brought back to the Committee once the design phase is done
and the project is started, so that members would know how much money will be spent on the
project. In response, Mr. Koenig stated that he was sure that the construction contract would exceed
$25,000. He explained that if the project is fully funded by a third party, it would not come back for
further consideration; however, if the project is funded by the City, it would have to be part of the
budget request. Mr. Koenig stated that, at this time, staff did not intend to include this as a City
funded FY 17 project because they would like the funding to come from other sources.
Mr. Hare asked when staff anticipated this project would be complete. Responding, Mr. Koenig
expressed his opinion that it would take approximately six (6) months to complete the preliminary
and final designs, calculations, etc., and the project would probably be constructed in the spring or
summer of 2017, at the earliest. He noted his expectation that this project would require easement
acquisition.
Mr. Shevock moved to recommend authorizing Staff to execute the two (2) agreements to fully
fund the Persimmon Park Place Drainage Project and that no City of Dover money will be
used to pay for the design phase of this project. The motion was seconded by Mr. Cole and
unanimously carried.
Proposed Ordinance #2016-06 Amending Chapter 26 - Businesses, Article II - Licenses, Section
26-40 - License Issuance, Expiration and Form, and Section 26-42 - Penalty for Late Payment
of License Fee
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Mrs. Ann Marie Townshend, Director of Planning and Community Development, reviewed Proposed
Ordinance #2016-06. She reminded members that various members of City staff had attended a
Lean Boot Camp with the purpose of evaluating the City’s processes in order to eliminate
unnecessary steps and unnecessary work, which equate to waste. She advised members that, as a
result of the Boot Camp, the Planning and Inspections Department examined the process for business
licenses.
Mrs. Townshend explained that business licenses are due on July 1st each year, which is also the first
day of the new fiscal year; therefore, license renewals must be mailed out in June. When they are
mailed out in June, payments are returned, staff processes the payments, and the Finance Department
then has to manually move the money from one fiscal year’s ledger to the next fiscal year.
Mrs. Townshend expressed her opinion that there are many unnecessary steps in this process, noting
the amount of time and effort that it takes for the Information Technology Department to run the
reports to be able to move the money, and for the Finance Department review all of this and then
move it. She stated that manually moving the money from one fiscal year to another also creates the
potential for error.
Mrs. Townshend informed members that she discussed this process with the Finance Department
and suggested that the City change the business license year to begin August 1st, which would allow
staff to mail the license renewals at the very beginning of July to avoid processing anything during
the transition of the fiscal year.
Mrs. Townshend stated that Proposed Ordinance #2016-06 would bring the license renewal process
in line with the fiscal year end. She explained that the ordinance would also remove language which
indicates that the city clerk, the fire marshal, and the executive officer for the board of health sign
business licenses, since none of them currently do this.
Responding to Mr. Hare, Mrs. Townshend stated that the license year would be from August to
August, so people would get a free month.
Mr. Sudler moved to recommend adoption of Proposed Ordinance #2016-06, as recommended by
Staff, seconded by Ms. Maucher.
Mr. Anderson expressed his opinion that this was a great idea and one (1) of the things that we need
to be doing as a City. He stated that he looked forward to seeing more proposals.
The motion to recommend adoption of Proposed Ordinance #2016-06, as recommended by
Staff, was unanimously carried.
Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2015
Mrs. Donna Mitchell, Controller/Treasurer, reminded members that the Comprehensive Annual
Financial Report (CAFR) for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2015 had been completed. She reviewed
a presentation summarizing the audited financial statements and the summary statements, noting that
these were based on the audit results. Mrs. Mitchell stated that the presentation expanded on the
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major items in the statements, such as the pension and other post-employment benefits (OPEB)
liabilities. She advised members that the presentation did not include the budget to actual reports,
which are done on a cash-type basis. Mrs. Mitchell noted that the financial statements are done on
an accrual basis, based on Charter and Code requirements.
Mrs. Mitchell, referring to Page 5 of the presentation, informed members that the Statement of Net
Position is basically what used to be called the balance sheet. She explained that the Governmental
Activities column includes grant funds, the general government fund, and general governmental
capital project fund; and the Business-Type Activities included utilities. Mrs. Mitchell stated that
the workers’ compensation fund is included in Governmental Activities for balance sheet purposes;
however, for income statement purposes, it is included as an enterprise fund. She explained that this
goes both ways because the assets and liabilities are actually owned by the City, not by a business
entity.
Mrs. Mitchell informed members that the Statement of Net Position included new items, including
the net pension asset and the OPEB asset, which show that the City is currently over-funded for
pensions and OPEB liabilities. She stated that the pension-related deferred outflows were related
to pensions in a different period. Mrs. Mitchell noted that the long-term OPEB and pension liability
are listed under non-current liabilities. She reminded members that the most significant change in
this CAFR was that the pension liabilities had to be recorded on the face of the financial statements
in accordance with the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) 68 accounting standard
that was recently implemented. Mrs. Mitchell explained that pension liabilities used to be included
only in the notes but are now listed under the Unrestricted Net Position and indicate an amount of
-$27,947,000 that is due to the pension liability for governmental activities. She informed members
that another GASB standard would be going into effect which would require the OPEB liability to
be recorded this way in the future.
Mr. Slavin questioned what potential effect GASB 68 and showing a higher liability may have on
the City’s ratings. Responding, Mrs. Mitchell explained that the rating agencies will look at how the
City is managing that liability. She stated that it could affect the City’s interest rates on any debt
service that the City may go to market for. Mrs. Mitchell confirmed that bond rating agencies would
be looking at this for all governmental entities.
Mrs. Mitchell reviewed the Statement of Activities, Page 6, noting that it was previously called an
income statement. She reminded members that several years ago the GASB reformatted this
statement. Mrs. Mitchell stated that this statement previously indicated the City’s income at the top,
expenses at the bottom, and net income. She explained that it is now listed by function or program,
with expenses listed first, followed by the adjustment for indirect expenses, which is what the City
allocates to the utilities for overhead. All program revenues are listed next, which show the charges
for services, operating grants and contributions, and capital grants and contributions. Last, the
statement shows the net (expense) revenue and changes in net position for governmental activities,
business-type activities, and the total. Mrs. Mitchell noted that this statement lists all of the
governmental activities at the top and noted that the City does not have any government program or
function that is actually self-supporting, they all net to a negative number. Referring to the bottom
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of the statement, she explained that property taxes, transfer taxes, and transfers from the utilities are
considered general governmental revenues help cover those differences. Mrs. Mitchell stated that
the net position, or net income, was $1,948,307 for the governmental activities and $7,355,001 for
the utilities. She explained that the statement was re-formated to make it more apparent as to
whether programs/revenues are covering costs.
Mrs. Mitchell reviewed the Governmental Fund Balance Sheet, Page 7, noting that it lists strictly
current assets, current liabilities, and governmental-type activities and does not include pension or
OPEB information. Mrs. Mitchell informed members that the unassigned fund balance was
approximately $3.9M and the total fund balance was approximately $9.2M. She explained that this
$9.2M was on a governmental basis, without all of the GASB adjustments which reflected a negative
$27M.
Mrs. Mitchell explained that the list of fund balances on Page 8 shows what makes up the $9.2M on
the Governmental Fund Balance Sheet. She informed members that it was a GASB standard for the
fund balances to include inventory and prepaids, noting that although these items are included on
the balance sheet as assets, the City has to offset that with a reservation on the fund balance showing
that they are non-spendable, because GASB feels that they are not readily convertible to cash.
Mrs. Mitchell stated that the Fund includes commitments for the Contingency Reserve and the
Parkland Reserve, explaining that those are considered committed because they are done by Council
and not by an outside party. Referring to the assigned funds, she explained that police investigations
referred to a fund that the Police Department has from donations received from citizens, specifically
for purposes of the Police Department. Mrs. Mitchell noted that the other governmental funds were
grant funds which are all considered reservations because they are not the City’s money to spend.
Mrs. Mitchell reviewed the Statement of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in the Fund Balances
of Governmental Funds, Page 9, noting that it reflected a net change in fund balance of $1.5M for
the General Fund, and a negative net change balance of $55,997 for the non-major funds. She
explained that this was usually just a timing difference because the grant funds came in either later
or in the prior year, so expenditures might be higher than revenues based on the timing of the
revenue versus the expense.
Mrs. Mitchell, referring to the Statement of Net Position - Proprietary Funds, Page 10, noted that the
City does have to record the OPEB and pension liabilities for the enterprise funds, unlike the
governmental funds. She stated that, even with the inclusion of the liabilities, the total net position
remained positive.
Referring to the Statement of Revenues, Expenses and Changes in Fund Net Position - Proprietary
Funds, Page 11, Mrs. Mitchell stated that the changes in net position, or net income, for water and
wastewater services was approximately $4.7M and approximately $2.6M for electric, for a total of
approximately $7.4M. She noted that the City’s internal service fund is actually the City workers’
compensation self-insurance fund.
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Mrs. Mitchell advised members that she included information regarding Other Post Employment
Benefits (OPEB) on Page 15 to highlight how the City fared in making the annual required
contribution. She stated that the total net OPEB obligation decreased approximately $1.6M because
the City contributed more with the lump sum appropriations and the percentage of payroll.
Mrs. Mitchell explained that the City actually contributed more than the requirement and paid down
that liability a little quicker by having the extra money there.
Mrs. Mitchell reviewed the OPEB Trust Schedule of Funding Status and Progress, Page 16, noting
that the City was able to reduce the percentages that were used for the OPEB contributions which
was helping with the current budget. She explained that actuarial accrued liability (AAL) was
approximately $70.4M on July 1, 2013 and on July 1, 2014 it decreased to approximately $51.2M.
Mrs. Mitchell informed members that there was a 10-year funding plan for this liability; however,
the City is able to discontinue that plan because the City is at a better funding level than expected.
She explained that with the 10-year funding plan, the City had to bifurcate the interest rate and use
the discount rate on the municipal bonds, which is about 5.4% on the part that is unfunded, and the
7% rate, which is the City’s actuarial assumption, on the part that is funded. Since the City is fully
funding, the interest rate changed to 7% for the whole fund and because that interest rate went up,
it reduced that liability.
Mr. Anderson noted that OPEB was no longer a separate budget line item and asked what it was now
combined with. Responding, Mrs. Mitchell stated that OPEB and pension were included in the
functions/programs on the Statement of Activities on Page 6. She explained that the money for
OPEB and pension has to be allocated to each division of each program and staff now has to go
through a process to develop an allocation methodology. Mrs. Mitchell noted that it cannot be a
separate item because it is considered a cost of service for each of those programs.
Mr. Anderson felt that the requirement was supposed to make it easier to understand and more open;
however, it seemed to be hiding how much liability there is.
In response to Mr. Anderson, Mrs. Mitchell clarified that the liability is included in each program
on the Statement of Activities; however, it is also on the Governmental Fund Balance Sheet as
liability and any asset the City may have.
Mrs. Mitchell reviewed Pension Plans - Defined Benefit and Pension Expense - Financial Reporting
Purposes, Pages 17-18, explaining that the approximately $4.8M in total contributions indicated on
Page 17 was reflected in the budget reports; however, the approximately $1.8M for the Police
Pension Expense and $2.4M for General Employee Pension Expense indicated on Page 18 were
reflected in the GASB Statement of Activities that are audited.
Mrs. Mitchell informed members that Page 89 in the CAFR included information regarding the
defined contribution plans; however, that information is not on these schedules because those plans
are not included in the City’s financial statements. She explained that the information is included
in the notes to the financial statements, but not within the statements since those are not the City’s
assets, they are the assets of employees because they are fully vested on day one when they start
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contributing. Mrs. Mitchell stated that there were notes regarding the contributions that the City and
employees made and the number of employees, and offered to provide that schedule to members who
wished to receive a copy.
Mr. Hutchison noted that Mrs. Mitchell had been in accounting for more than 20 years in the City
and many changes had occurred. He asked whether Mrs. Mitchell believed that the City has better
control and insight on financial matters the way it is designed today. Responding, Mrs. Mitchell felt
that she had better control and insight now versus 20 years ago, explaining that she is more involved
and enlightened about what is going on. She stated that there have been a lot of accounting changes
to incorporate, noting that the GASB changes have not slowed down. When she came to work for
the City in 2000, GASB 34 was being implemented and they are now on GASB 78. She stated that
although all of the changes do not apply to the City, most of them do.
Mr. Sudler moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Shevock and unanimously carried.
Meeting adjourned at 6:53 p.m.
Timothy A. Slavin
Council President
TAS/TM/dd
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