NLA-City Manager 10/14/2009

Joyce Wilson, City Manager Mark Alvarado, Neighborhood coordinator

• 2004 changed to Council Manager form of government, most popular form of government in communities with populations of 5,000 or greater. Combines strong political leadership with strong managerial experience.  
• Mayor/Council: elected, define public purpose, decides what and why; intent, expectations, motive for government actions and mayor provides political and community leadership 
• Mayor is key representative for intergovernmental and international relationships. sets goals, priorities and initiatives for the community 
• Council appoints city manager; evaluates City Manager, hire/fire and mayor cannot veto their decision; forms the legislative body, approves the budget and votes on ordinances and resolutions 
• City manager never donates, never goes to election events, etc... to avoid bias. Her job is to implement the decisions, not make them. Decides how or the manner in which it is implemented. Full-time, paid, public service. Influence is positional through organizational authority. Should view the community as a "whole" and systematically, not as separate districts 
• 6000 employees (FTE? or body count?)  
• Percentage from taxes 56-59% from property and sales tax. rest from fees and intergovernmental transfers.
• Technology
• Social media - slowly entering but putting rules into effect before there is a problem. 
• Activenet - can register and pay for things, not yet 
• inspections can be scheduled online now 
• e-ticketing for police so it can be done on the spot
• ambulance can now record everything rather than waiting later 
• 60% of budget for city is people; for police it is almost 90% 
• City vs County
• County implements state law and policy, has powers specifically conferred directly upon them 
• City has autonomous jurisdictions within the state 
• Report a pothole to street department 
• Water department - reports to Deputy City Manager of Development and Infrastructure Services. It is separate on the chart because of various laws that have been passed previously to protect them. Appointed by city council 
• Regional mobility-i.e. the 375 loop around El Paso, widening of the border highway, express tollways . City council appointment 
• Metropolitan planning organization is required if you want transportation funds. It had to be semi-standalone, and involves a variety of interested parties. appointed by various entities 
• Download a document that explains the City Council Strategic Policy Goals and accomplishments 
• Issues brought up by participant about jails (city one is gone). Weekend in jail; then gets out to work. cost of keeping someone vs putting on an ankle bracelet and make them stay at motel 6 Municipal crimes are billed to city and it is much cheaper than running a jail. Arrest for municipal is mainly substantial numbers of outstanding warrants. 10-15yr old depts can't be written off but are uncollectable. Ms. Wilson is seeking to segregate these debts so they don't give a false picture of what is due and collectable. The city focuses on 5 year or less and uses both collection agencies and/or warrant roundups or ticket payment. The city is running about 80% of the fines being collected 
• Another asked about outstanding fines that should be collected. Police serve warrants in city, constables only in unincorporated areas.  
• Current Major issues (slide) 
• 10 hr days  huge gas savings and smaller other savings.   People did come in before and after work, but it was light then, would people come downtown if it was dark?
• 311 (informational for the city).   The cost per call is prohibitive so they are looking for alternative  solutions   it would at least stop calling so many places trying to find the right one.
• resurface and improve freeways between gateway and freeway
• freight trains-getting rid of them.  The train companies are willing to cooperate if the city pays the costs.
• spaghetti warehouse fell through because of finances.
• budgeting process - 4-5 month process, Manager has to present a budget recommendation.  Has to be balanced and is presented in June.   Department by department presentations during July Thursday and Friday.   Then wrap up which includes tax rates, then is set by council.  Last week in August the tax rate is set and budgets finalized.
• Unemployment rate - 9.6% here in El Paso, below the national avg for the last 2 years.   Last year, it was below 6 % and two years ago it was about 5%,   Technology/healthcare/pharmaceutical/manufacturing-green/
• Another port to Mexico??  looking at it for either new one or larger   long term
• One Participant wants more stuff for BMX and freestylers, including a larger area for racing
• first-time homebuyers   many programs and will be covered soon
• neighborhood grants
• Parks will be presenting November 11th
• Morale issues  Ms. Wilson thinks it is very good, she spends a lot of time in employee forums/just did survey, new adhoc employee committee.   Job security concerns; workforce the survey was thorough. Some dept had more concerns than others.

Like most things on the web, always check the information with the source.   Just because I wrote it down doesn't mean I believe everything or that I understood it completely.