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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBudget/Finance Committee Minutes 07.05.2011 MINUTES BUDGET/FINANCE COMMITTEE July 5, 2011 5:30 P.M. COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM MEMBERS PRESENT: Doug Poehls, Co- Chairman Chuck Dickerson Tom Nelson OTHERS PRESENT: Shirley Ewan Mayor Kenneth Olson Co-Chairman Doug Poehls, in the absence of Chairman Mace, 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 June 21, 2011 meeting were presented and approved via motion by Chuck, seconded by the Tom, and passed unanimously. Chuck made a motion to approve the claims, in the amount of $351,373.13, for Council consent; Tom seconded the motion, all in favor, motion passed. There were no purchase requisitions presented to the committee. The Comp /OT reports for PPE 6/26/2011 were reviewed. Doug inquired as to why Tomek needed a respiratory exam. The Mayor stated that there had been a chlorine release at the plant. Chuck inquired as to what exactly "double back" meant on the comp report. Shirley said she is not sure but will check on it and report back at the next meeting. The Employee Leave Reports were reviewed. Shirley stated that these are given to the committee every quarter for their review. Shirley was asked as to how much vacation can be held. Shirley stated that she is not sure but will check on it and let the committee know at the next meeting. The Payroll Register for PPE 6/26/11 totaling $194,543.40 was reviewed by the Committee. Motion was made by Tom, seconded by Chuck to recommend council approval of the payroll register. Motion passed. Clerk/Treasurer's Comments: Shirley stated that she is still working on the budget and would like to go through the remaining funds at the next budget meeting on the 12 of July. Kurt will be present to go over the Gas Tax Fund and the Street Maintenance Fund. Providing there is time, Shirley will try to fit the balance of the funds in. Shirley reminded the committee that there is still a lot of work to be done on the General Fund as the expenditures are still around $300,000 over the revenues. Mayor's Comments: Local 316 Union Update The Union and the City are still meeting. The City left the Union with a proposal on June 30, 2011 and will meet again on July 14, 2011. Park Maintenance District: The Park Board will meet on Thursday, July 7, 2011. The Mayor will report back on what they have decided on the Elena Park Maintenance District. Consideration of Legal Costs and Options in the 2011 -2012 Budget: The Mayor stated that the City has gone out to bid for a prosecutor and has received 2 applications. The City now needs to decide if we need a full -time prosecutor and a part-time legal advisor for civil matters. If the City decides to hire a prosecutor, it will cost around $55,000, plus ancillaries, and would leave approximately $20,000 - $30,000 for Elk River's work. 1 Budget/Finance Committee July 5, 2011 The Mayor stated that the attorney could be available for Council meetings but not workshops. Chuck suggested the other way around. Chuck would like to see the attorney present at workshops and not at Council meetings. Doug agreed with Chuck's scenario. Elk River Law has several small towns around the area and attends meetings very seldom. The City could have him present at public meetings and other important matters where legal counsel may be useful. The Mayor would like to use Elk River in the same manner that he is now using the Public Works Director. The Public Works Director is no longer required to be at meetings and if a question arises and the Mayor is unable to answer, he will e-mail the Council or relate the answer back to them at the next meeting. Doug inquired as to whether the prosecutor would be a full -time employee or part time. He suggested that we find someone that is willing to juggle their schedule to accommodate the City's needs. The Mayor stated that it depends on whether the City wants to pay $50 for a $25 fine. He does not want to see every little case prosecuted to the point where it is not worth the City's time or funds. School District's Decision on SRO: The Mayor informed the committee that Tim Bronk, Superintendent of Schools, will be at the next Budget/Finance Committee meeting on the 19 of July. The Mayor is trying to get the School Board to accept the idea that they are getting a service from the City and not paying wages. Currently, the reason for the non - committal from the School Board is over the increase of $2,750 per year. The Mayor has suggested that the City and the School District each absorb half, of the cost and change the language in the contract to reference a service not a wage. Other: For next agenda: The committee would like Shirley to come back with costs to date on the flood mitigation. The Mayor requested that Tim Bronk be placed at the beginning of the meeting on July 19 The next regular Budget/Finance meeting will be Tuesday, July 19, at 5:30 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 6:18 p.m. Respectfully submitted, >taJA. /Ay i tt.,/k.) Shirley Ewan, Clerk/Treasurer 2