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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBudget/Finance Committee Minutes 04.20.2010 MINUTES BUDGET/FINANCE COMMITTEE APRIL 20, 2010 5:30 P.M. COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Kate Hart Doug Poehls Chuck Dickerson Mayor Olson Mark Mace OTHERS PRESENT: Bill Sheridan Cathy Gabrian Bart Haskell Chairman Kate Hart called the regular meeting of the Budget /Finance Committee to order. There was no public in attendance. The minutes of the April 6, 2010 meeting were presented and approved via motion by Mark, seconded by Doug, and passed unanimously. March Journal Vouchers #941 -944, and the Utility Billing Adjustments for March 2010 were reviewed. Motion by Doug, seconded by Mark to approve the journal vouchers and UB adjustments. Motion passed unanimously. The March 2010 Financial Statements were reviewed by the committee. Motion by Chuck, seconded by Doug to recommend approval of the March 2010 Financial Statements to the council. Motion passed unanimously. The committee reviewed the Comp /OT reports for PPE 4/9/2010. The Payroll Register for PPE 4/9/2010 totaling $162,390.31 was reviewed by the committee. Motion by Mark, seconded by Doug to recommend council approval of the payroll register. Motion passed unanimously. ClerWTreasurer's Comments: Replace computer server & install firewall: Bart Haskell of Technical Edge, presented information to the committee regarding replacement of the primary server and installation of a firewall. The server is five years old and past its useful life, and the warranty has expired. Bart said it is a bad deal to try and get replacement parts from Dell after a warranty has expired. It is much easier to roll over to a new computer than to try and reconstruct after a catastrophe. The standard storage on a new server would be a hundred times what we have now and should be adequate, well into the future. Bart also spoke of the need for a firewall for the city computers. The county and Department of Justice can look at the city's computers via the shared interne line. A firewall would prevent anyone from "seeing" our computers and greatly reduce the risk of a hacker. Bart also suggested that the city look into an automated, off -site backup. If there were a fire at city hall, all data could potentially be lost. The off -site backup would ensure our information could be retrieved and restored. This would be done through a contract with a company, as a monthly subscription fee. We would need to have two bids for this contract, and then make a recommendation based on the successful bidder. Bart suggested using the old server as a backup for the pc's. Setup on some of the pc's is getting sophisticated and it would be easy to reload the information, rather than reconstructing it. It was also stated that Cathy's computer is the oldest and in need of replacing. Budget/Finance Committee April 20, 2010 City employees want the capability of receiving e-mail on their phones. Bart said the city would need to purchase a certificate to allow this at a cost of $140 for five years. Bart spoke of the need to standardize all city phone types and the problems associated with it when they are different. Our current contract is with Alltel but someone will check with the other phone companies. Mayor Olson said information will be gathered and a proposal will be made to the Budget/Finance Committee regarding the above items. Mayor's Comments: TIFD update: Mayor Olson said the Laurel Urban Renewal Agency would like information on infrastructure and the dollars appropriated for the next session. They are also concerned about available dollars. Things are happening and more people realize the importance of upgrading their businesses. It was stated that many businesses and people are involved in making the "Welcome to Laurel" area a reality. This involvement gives people a sense of ownership in their community. Intake Lids: An attorney has been contacted regarding this issue and they are looking into whether or not they will take the case. Chief Administrative Officer Comments: Impact Fees Feasibility Study update: Bill stated nothing has been done. West Main Sidewalk SID & overlay: Bill said the project is well ahead of schedule and Riverside Sand and Gravel will be doing the project. Sidewalks costs will be shared between the property owners and CTEP funds. The property owners' portion will be approximately $9,000. The water line will be installed shortly. Wastewater Plant Upgrade project report: Bill said the project is 90 -95% complete. In regard to the oil strike, we are out of it and the DEQ will write letters to Cenex and the City. Police Labor Union: Bill stated they have met three times and will continue working on it. Completion of East Main project: Bill said the contractor is addressing the walkway in the underpass and he hopes the project will be completed within the month The next regular Budget/Finance meeting will be Tuesday, May 4 at 5:30 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, (■1 Cathy Ga rian Deputy Clerk