HomeMy WebLinkAboutBudget/Finance Committee Minutes 03.17.2009MINUTES
BUDGET/FINANCE COMMITTEE
MARCH 17, 2009 5:30 P.M.
COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Kate Hart Doug Poehls
Mark Mace Chuck Dickerson
Mayor Ken Olson (5:40)
OTHERS PRESENT: Mary Embleton Bill Sheridan
Chairman Kate Hart called the regular meeting of the Budget/Finance Committee to order at
5:35 p.m. There was no public in attendance.
The minutes of the March 3, 2009 meeting were presented and approved via motion by
Doug, seconded by Mark, and passed unanimously.
February Journal Vouchers #839-842 and Utility Billing adjustments for February 2009
were reviewed. Mary reported that the entries are all typical for the month. Motion by
Chuck, seconded by Mark, to approve the journal vouchers and UB adjustments. Motion
passed unanimously.
The February 2008 Financial Statements were reviewed by the committee. Mary stated
that the funds are at acceptable levels. The General Fund is $235,000 into reserves. Mary
explained some of the funds' negative cash balances. The Water Fund Operating Cash is at a
low level due to the projects. The city will receive the first draw on the loan for $345,687 in
March, so the operating cash account will go back to normal. Motion by Chuck, seconded by
Doug, to recommend approval of the February Financial Statements to the council. Motion
passed unanimously.
There were no purchase requisitions presented.
The committee reviewed the Comp/OT reports for PPE 3/8/09.
The Payroll Register for PPE 3/8/09 totaling $139,172.22 was reviewed by the committee.
Motion by Mark, seconded by Doug, to recommend council approval of the payroll register.
Motion passed unanimously.
Clerk/Treasurer's Comments:
Administrative Charges Allocation/Rental Allocation - Mary stated that information will be
sent to Miral Gamradt for revisions to the initial draft report. Presentation to the council is
scheduled for March 31 '.
Budget process - Mary reported that she is still waiting for some departments' budget sheets.
Staff has been quite busy with projects and legislative issues, so there is still plenty of time
on the calendar to complete the process.
Mayor's Comments:
Budget/Finance Committee
March 17, 2009
TIFD update - Mayor Olson stated that the Laurel Urban Renewal Agency has been meeting
every Monday. The mayor is still finalizing the members of the Advisory portion of the
board, and will recommend Steve Zeier of Big Sky EDA as staff rather than an Advisory
member as this would be more appropriate. Funding for the TIFD was discussed:
approximately $230,000 in revenues per year is the current projection after the Department of
Revenue corrected the taxable value of the district from $226,291 to $329,892 for the base
year. The agency is still learning and going door to door to discuss potential projects. Bill
Sheridan will attend the meeting next Monday.
Chief Administrative Officer Comments:
Impact Fees Feasibility Study update - Bill recommends looking at implementing the
appropriate impact fees prior to new subdivisions coming in to the city.
Storm Water Project & S. I' Ave. overlay update - Chad Hanson of Great West Engineering
told Bill that COP Construction needs a Notice to Proceed, but the asphalt plants won't start
up until April 15th. The project will be finished as soon as practical.
West Main Sidewalk SID & overlay - At a recent meeting with MDT, Bill tried to emphasize
that the city would like this project to go forward in 2010 rather than 2011. However, the
Stimulus Package is going to have an effect on the scheduling of all MDT projects. The 8th
Ave. project is a viable project, but there are 61 people who need to give easements and/or
right-of-ways. MDT has a crew working on this right now. This project may delay the West
Main Street project.
Wastewater Plant Upgrade preliminary engineering report -Bill stated that the public
hearing on the updated PER is scheduled for tonight's council meeting.
Intake Lids update - Bill told the committee that the divers are in the water today, and they
are hopeful to be completed in a week. After the first lid is installed, the remaining 5 lids
should go quickly.
Other - Bill stated that he and Mary will be going to Helena on Friday to speak on behalf of
the city's project requests for federal stimulus money. The city is requesting assistance on 4
projects: Water Project, Wastewater Project, 8tb Ave. Project, and the Bus Transit Project.
Morrison Maierle will have more detail on the Wastewater Project at tonight's meeting.
Mary reported that SB506, the Local Option Tourism Tax bill, has been introduced to the
legislature this week. She will e-mail information to the council.
The next regular Budget/Finance meeting will be Tuesday, March 3'a at 5:30 p.m.
For next agenda: Add Legislative Update under Clerk/Treasurer Comments.
The meeting adjourned at 6:05 p.m.
Respect full Su mitted
M/ ary Kt-mbleton, City Clerk/Treasurer
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