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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBudget/Finance Committee Minutes 06.07.2011 MINUTES BUDGET/FINANCE COMMITTEE June 7, 2011 5:30 P.M. COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM MEMBERS PRESENT: Mark Mace, Chairman Chuck Dickerson OTHERS PRESENT: Shirley Ewan Mayor Kenneth Olson Rick Musson Chairman Mark Mace called the regular meeting of the Budget/Finance Committee to order at 5:30 p.m. There was no public in attendance. The Mayor requested that the Committee move "Other" to the front of the agenda. The Mayor wanted the Committee to know what was happening with the School Resource Officers (SRO) and invited Rick Musson, Police Chief to answer any questions the Committee might have. The City of Laurel is currently contributing two police officers to the School District for the SRO program. The terms of the agreement state that the School District pays 70% of the officer's wages and the City pays the other 30 %, as the officers are available to the City for the summer. The current Board Chairman, Ken Kallem, is interested in seeing if the City would be amicable with cutting the officers to a smaller percentage of time as SRO's and the City absorb more of the cost and the additional hours. Rick and the Mayor stated that this is Mr. Kallem's idea and that none of the other administrators in the School District are in agreement with this idea. The Mayor stated that this gives the City two options: 1) Agree to the School District's terms and absorb the difference. 2) Pull the Officers from the Schools and not replace Firebaugh. If the second option is decided upon, the City would be in jeopardy of losing the COPS grant and possibly made to repay the amount that has already been paid towards the officer. Rick stated that the City could request a hardship case and possibly not have to pay back the COPS grant. Rick stated that, if the City were to agree to a lesser amount of time spent at the School District, the officers would have to be scheduled back into the City's current schedule. This would take some creative scheduling, as more officers are needed at night rather than during the day. Rick stated that another possible option is to lose the Middle School SRO and keep the High School SRO. This would probably cut the DARE program though. Doug stated that although he feels this is a good program, he doesn't feel the City should carry more of the School District's burden. Mark wondered if the School District would consider a 50/50 deal and just use the officers half time. The Mayor stated that the School Board will make a decision regarding the SRO program June 13` and he will let the Committee know what the School District decides. The minutes of the May 17, 2011 meeting were presented and approved via motion by Doug, seconded by the Mayor, and passed unanimously. Doug made a motion to approve the claims, in the amount of $991,676.91, for Council consent; The Mayor seconded the motion, all in favor, motion passed. There were no purchase requisitions presented to the committee. 1 Budget/Finance Committee June 7, 2011 The Comp /OT reports for PPE 5/15/2011 were reviewed. There were no questions regarding the comp overtime. The Payroll Register for PPE 5/15/11 totaling $152,240.14 and Local 303 back pay in the amount of $7,411.40 was reviewed by the Committee. Motion was made by Doug, seconded by the Mayor to recommend council approval of the payroll register. Motion passed. Clerk/Treasurer's Comments: Questions in regards to GASB 54 Shirley stated that she has written the resolution for GASB 54 and it will be presented to the Council on the 14 of June workshop. Shirley sent the explanation to the Council last week via e-mail and asked if there were any questions in regards to her explanation. There were none. Mayor's Comments: Local 316 Union Update The Mayor stated the next meeting with the union will be on Thursday. The City has received the union's request for changes and additions and the City will continue going through one item at a time with the union. Shirley is costing out their requests. Park Maintenance District The Mayor stated that Heidi is still working on the Elena Park Maintenance District and is getting the owner's names on all of the lots prior to presenting the cost to the District. The first year will cost the District around $40,000 to seed the lots and maintain the grass. The project will probably not be ready to go out for bid until after July of this year and done in the spring of 2012. Mark inquired as to whether the City was going to ask for a city- wide district. The Mayor stated that he would like to get the Elena Subdivision done first and show the rest of the City how well it works and then try to sell the idea of a city -wide district. Other: The Mayor stated that another member needs to be appointed to this committee. Doug stated that he would work on getting a fourth member. For next agenda: The next regular Budget/Finance meeting will be Tuesday, June 21, at 5:30 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Shirley Ewan, Clerk/Treasurer 2