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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBudget/Finance Committee Minutes 05.25.2021Minutes of City of Laurel Budget/Finance Committee Tuesday, May 25, 2021 Members Present: Scott Stokes Emelie Eaton Bruce McGee Richard Klose Mayor T. C. Nelson Public Input: Citizens may address the committee regarding any item of business that is not on the agenda. The duration for an individual speaking under Public Input is limited to three minutes. While all comments are welcome, the committee will not take action on any item not on the agenda. General Items 1. Review and Approve purchase requisitions. There were none presented to the committee. 2. Review and recommend approval to Council, Claims entered through 5/21/2021. Scott Stokes had reviewed the Claims Detail report and the check register for accuracy. He had one question about a $1,200 purchase made by the Ambulance Department. It was explained that the purchase was for water bottles to keep moral up for the volunteers. Scot subsequently made a motion to recommend approval of the claims entered through 5/21/2021. Richard Klose seconded the motion, all in favor, motion passed. 3. Review and approve Payroll Register for pay period ending 5/16/2021 totaling $193,827.66. Richard Klose made a motion to recommend approval of this claim totaling $193,827.66. Since the amount matched the register, Bruce McGee seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion passed. New Business — 4. Pay increase for Police Reserves. Emelie Eaton had recently attended the graduation ceremony for the reserves. It was announced at that time that the Reserves receive $60 twice a year as a stipend for their clothing. Emelie subsequently verified with Bruce McGee, who is a Police Reservist, that sum is correct. She contacted the Chief of Police and acknowledged that this matter was under his purview but that she felt it would be in order to at least allow the committee to discuss whether an increase would be possible in the 2021- 2022 budget. Chief Langve was in attendance at the Budget and Finance meeting and stated that he felt the minimum the Reservists should be receiving should be $75 a month because the Police Officers have stated to him it costs approximately $1,500 to completely outfit themselves. He further stated that if they only received $450 annually (approximately $37.50 monthly) the officers could equip themselves over time and save for a bullet resistant vest. He stated there are currently 14 reservists, which is an abnormally high number. There was general discussion about the status of the reserves. The question was asked of the Mayor that if Chief Langve included such a request in his upcoming budget, would there be opposition to such an increase. The Mayor said he would be willing to talk with the Chief and he could look into the constraints to increasing the Reservists' stipend. The committee stated it would be willing to back an increase. Old Business — 5. Meal Pay — Drill Pay resolutions. Chair Eaton pointed out that back in November, 2020 Resolutions had been written and submitted to the committee and then reportedly passed on to the City Attorney to have the funds dispersed properly. It was now May and there had been no action on this matter even though the committee had been told it would be finalized in April. The Mayor stated he had not been able to speak with the City Attorney. 6. Update from Mayor regarding Cemetery Parking Lot. Richard Klose from the American Legion stated there was no activity on this matter. A committee member then inquired as to whether the American Legion was planning to put a standard surface on this parking lot or if it would be surfaced something like the handicapped parking lot next to the high school bleachers in Thompson Park. Richard Klose stated the Legion intended to give the cemetery parking lot a standard surface coverage. Other Items — 7. Review Comp Overtime Report from PPE 5/16/2021. Everything looked to be in order. A question was asked regarding a new item on the police reports from the FRA (Federal Railroad Administration). 8. Clerk Treasurer Update — not in attendance, no update available. 9. Mayor Update — A. The Mayor stated he would be speaking to Department Heads individually again this year regarding perceived needs. B. The Mayor stated the City is looking into purchasing a new vehicle for City employees to use to travel to conventions or seminars. He stated the need arose because the City vehicle currently available is not precisely road worthy and there is a lack of rental cars or if there are vehicle available it is cost prohibitive. Scot Stokes abstained from further on record discussion since it was mentioned that the City was looking into purchasing a Ford Escape which Scot had knowledge of. C. The Mayor stated the City would be looking at repairing Vehicle 7 which had sustained $38,000 in damages. The question was asked why the insurance company had not totaled the vehicle. There was discussion on repair versus replacement of this police vehicle. D. The Mayor stated the Fire Department was looking to purchase two vehicles. They have abandoned purchasing an F350 as none can be found and are looking at an F250. The Mayor stated that the Motel 6 being built by Walmart will be 4 stories and it is important to get a ladder truck. E. The Mayor stated he was anxious to get KLJ working on developing a CIP master plan. Not only would it help with annual Departmental requests for big ticket items but it is needed to qualify for most grants. Announcements — 10. The next Budget and Finance meeting will be held on June 8, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. 11. Bruce McGee will be reviewing the claims for the next Budget & Finance meeting. The Chair reviewed the schedule that had been printed as part of the May 11, 2021 minutes and stated it would be reprinted for everyone's convenience in these minutes. 6/8/2021 Bruce McGee 6/22/2021 Emelie Eaton 7/6/2021 Richard Klose 7/20/2021 Scott Stokes 8/10/2021 Emelie Eaton 8/24/2021 Scot Stokes 9/14/2021 Richard Klose 9/28/2021 Bruce McGee The meeting was adjourned at 6:16 p.m. Respectfully submitted, r�t5r Emelie Ea Budget and Finance Chair NOTE: This meeting is open to the public. listed workshop agenda items. This meeting is for information and discussion of the Council for the