Council continues budget work session, hears recycling and general-plan comments from residents

Council members resumed budget discussions after a work session earlier in the evening and provided staff direction on key line items. Council asked staff to increase parks and capital-improvement funding in the draft, to compare proposed spending with sales-tax revenue projections and to return with updated budget documents at the next meeting. Staff said they will try to publish the tentative budget at least seven days before the public hearing and reminded the council that state law requires adoption of a tentative budget at the first meeting in May.

During the public-comment period, resident Earl Renard of 168 South Archie Avenue said he has observed the hauler dumping green-waste and recyclables together in his neighborhood and asked when separate green-waste pickup began. Council and staff responded that green-waste collection started April 1 and that blue-can recycling should be collected year-round on a separate truck; staff offered to follow up with the hauler about reported issues. Renard also referenced a community meeting about the general plan and asked that the council not 'hide' plan discussion; councilors confirmed a May 12 joint work session with the planning commission will be noticed and publicly posted as a work meeting for preliminary discussion.

The council also heard a brief Youth City Council report on recent activities, including a leadership conference and an Easter egg hunt.