HomeMy WebLinkAboutBudget/Finance Committee Minutes 12.07.2010 MINUTES
BUDGET/FINANCE COMMITTEE
December 7, 2010 5:30 P.M.
COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM
MEMBERS PRESENT: Kate Hart, Chairman Mark Mace, Co- Chairman
Chuck Dickerson Doug Poehls
OTHERS PRESENT: Shirley Ewan Mayor Kenneth Olson
Chairman Kate Hart called the regular meeting of the Budget/Finance Committee to order at 5:30
p.m. There was no public in attendance.
The minutes of the November 16, 2010 meeting were presented and approved via motion by Mark,
seconded by Doug, and passed unanimously.
Doug made a motion to approve the claims, in the amount of $843,830.83, for Council consent; Mark
seconded the motion, all in favor, motion passed.
There were 2 purchase requisitions presented to the Committee. The two purchase requisitions were
submitted by Kurt Markegard, in reference to a new snowplow. The first requisition in the amount of
$25,952, for Fichtner Chevrolet is for the snowplow truck. The second requisition was for HCL
Truck and Equipment in the amount of $14,510 for the equipment to equip the truck for snow service.
The Mayor explained the purchase order. Shirley stated that the budgeted amount was $72,000 and
the total requested is $40,462, which is a substantial savings. All committee members were in favor
of the purchase.
The Comp /OT reports for PPE 11/14/2010 and 11/28/2010 were reviewed. Doug inquired as to
why the police were receiving overtime for shoot training. Shirley also questioned this overtime and
was informed by the Police Chief that the overtime was for certifying the officers, not just practice.
The Payroll Registers for PPE 11/14/10 totaling $163,018.23 and PPE 11/28/2010 totaling
$193,549.79 were reviewed by the Committee. Shirley stated the reason for the increase in the
payroll for the 11/28/2010 was due to the comp time being paid out. Motion was made by Mark,
seconded by Doug to recommend council approval of the payroll registers. Motion passed
unanimously.
Clerlc/Treasurer's Comments:
Internet Service:
Shirley informed the Committee that SummitNet Internet Service has mistakenly delivered internet
service to the City for the last 4 -5 years at no cost to the City. They have recently discovered that
they have not been billing us for this service. Needless to say, as of January 2011 we will need to
begin paying for the internet service. The Mayor has requested that Bart Haskell from Technical
Edge look into seeing if we can find another internet service of the same quality as SummitNet at a
lower cost to the City. The cost through SummitNet will be $4,248 /year.
Mayor's Comments:
Ambulance Space Consideration:
The Mayor informed the Committee that the design the City is looking at for the FAP addition will
accommodate 3 ambulances, 2 office spaces, a break room, a large conference room and a storage
1
Budget/Finance Committee
December 7, 2010
room for the fire department. The emergency services departments will meet with High Plains
Architects on the 16 of this month to review the addition plans. After that meeting, the Mayor will
bring the plan back to the Budget/Finance Committee for approval. If the Committee approves the
plans and the proposed funding, the Mayor will take the plans to the Council. Chuck asked if the plan
had the availability of putting on an upper floor. The Mayor stated that it did not and that there was
an area available on the fire department side of the building to accommodate sleeping quarters.
Chuck asked about the design of the building. Ken stated that the design would blend in with the rest
of the building with front faced bricks. The addition will look similar to the Water Specialties
building located here in Laurel. The addition will have floor heating to reduce utility costs in the
future. The building will be a version of a "green" structure.
The Mayor informed the Committee that the ambulance rate structure was being revised, as Laurel is
on the low side of charges, and the money generated from this increase will need to be enough to
finance the loan for the addition. Presently the City has identified $153,000 to put towards the
structure, but the cost will probably be closer to $300,000.
Technical Edge Contract:
The contract is up December 31, 2010 and the Mayor would like the Committee to consider renewing
the contract with Technical Edge. The new rate will be $131.13/hour with a three year contract. We
are currently paying $120/hour. Bart Haskell has also offered a fixed rate to the city which would be
$3,018 /month. At present the City does not use that amount of service from Technical Edge and
would consider the $131.13/hour to be a better contract for the City. The consensus of the Committee
was to renew the contract with the hourly rate.
West Main Sidewalk SID & overlay:
The Mayor will be meeting with Stefan Streeter to discuss the problems with the project, plus other
problems such as deterioration of the underpass due to salt being used, by the State, during snow and
ice removal. The Mayor will keep the Committee informed.
Police Labor Union:
The Union will be meeting with the negotiating team as well as the mediator on December 13
In the next fiscal year, the City is looking at using at least 13 General Fund mills just to maintain the
Fire Pension Fund; consequently the Mayor does not see any way of providing the Police with an
increase.
East Main Project
The Mayor will address this project with Stefan Streeter and inquire as to why the State is willing to
improve some areas on Main Street while charging the City for other areas, i.e. sidewalks. This item
will be deleted from further discussion.
Other: No other discussion was heard.
The next regular Budget/Finance meeting will be Tuesday, December 21 at 5:30 p.m.
The meeting adjourned at 6:24 p.m.
Res ectfully submi ted,
4�c L(k_ eL :
Shirley Ewan, Temporary City Clerk/Treasurer
2