Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutBudget/Finance Committee Minutes 12.20.2011 MINUTES BUDGET/FINANCE COMMITTEE December 20, 2011 5:30 P.M. COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM MEMBERS PRESENT: Mark Mace Chuck Dickerson Emelie Eaton OTHERS PRESENT: Shirley Ewan Mayor Ken Olson Chairman Mark 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 December 1, 2011 meeting were presented and approved via motion by Chuck, seconded by Emelie, and passed unanimously. The Utility Billing adjustments were reviewed by the Committee. There were no unusual adjustments. Emelie made a motion to approve the adjustments, seconded by Chuck, motion passed. The Mayor approved and signed the November journal voucher. The November financial statements were reviewed by the Committee. Shirley went through the actual vs. budgeted sheet and the monthly graphs of the major funds. Shirley informed the Committee that the Street Maintenance Fund has a $350,203 cash deficit. The assessment revenues have been received but not the distribution sheets. If half of the revenues are received in the Street Maintenance Fund ($279,414), the fund will still be running with a deficit balance of around $71,000. Shirley mentioned that the Gas Tax Fund currently has a positive balance of $26,000. There were no questions from the committee. Motion was made by Chuck to approve the financial statement, seconded by Emelie. Motion passed. There was one P urchase requisition presented to the Committee. The purchase is for a 2000 Chevy S -10 pickup for the cemetery department. The vehicle was purchased from Fichtner Chevrolet. $20,000 was budgeted and the vehicle was $7, 100. Cemetery employees attended the government auction in Billings and were unable to locate any vehicle that matched this price and the condition of the vehicle. Emelie made a motion to approve the purchase requisition, Chuck seconded, motion passed. The Comp /OT reports for PPE December 11, 2011were reviewed by the Committee. There were no questions regarding the overtime reports. Emelie asked if the total overtime payment reflected the amounts that would be reimbursed to the City. Shirley stated that it did not reflect the reimbursable amount. The Payroll Register for PPE 12/11/11 totaling $158,557.12 was reviewed by the Committee. Motion was made by Chuck, seconded by Emelie, to recommend Council's approval of the payroll register. Motion passed unanimously. 1 Budget/Finance Committee December 20, 2011 Clerk/Treasurer's Comments: Curb Box Insurance for out of City residents: Shirley stated that it has come to her attention that residents that live on the outskirts of the City are not being charged$1.00 /month curb box insurance. There are currently 82 customers that receive water or water and sewer but do not pay curb box insurance. Mark remembers the reasoning for deciding not to charge the curb box insurance was something to do with easements, liability and permission to work on private property of the individuals outside to the City limits. If the property is not annexed into the City, Mark feels that these people should be paying a higher rate anyway. The Mayor stated that this may be a contentious issue to get easements and as always some will complain. Many of the individuals that were given access to the water and sewer lines gave up something in return, i.e., easements on their property to lay lines across their property. The Committee agreed it needs to be revisited and Mark will bring it up at the next Public Works meeting. Mark is sure the City Attorney will need to be consulted on the decision, whichever way it goes. Mayor's Comments: Public Works Union Update: The Mayor stated that all of the stumbling blocks have been removed and he believes the contract is ready to go to the Union for a vote. A lot of the wording in the contract will not be changed as the Union is not ready to deal with the changes at this time. Park Maintenance Districts: The Mayor would like to see the City go forward with a Park Maintenance District. The City will be sending out a newsletter to the residents in January and he is requesting individuals to comment on whether or not they would support such a program. This will start the discussion amongst residents in the City. Sewer Lift Station Update: Great West has come back with a plan to alleviate the odor from the Elm lift station. The cost of the fix is quite costly and there is no guarantee that it will work. Kurt is recommending funneling the effluent by building a cement concave core in the lift. The funneling will cause the leftover product to go directly into the pump and be carried away. The Mayor stated that Kurt is not sure this is where the odor is coming from and will be requesting permission to look at the manholes on the railroad property. Wastewater Plant Upgrade Project Report: Great West Engineering has given the City 3 proposal reports. They will be meeting with staff to decide which proposal will be the most economical and best fit for the City. The plans allow for use of some of the existing buildings at the plant, which will cut the cost considerably. The plans offer oxidation ditches rather than RBCs. Ultraviolet disinfecting will be used prior to discharge back into the river. An additional report will be provided after decisions are made by staff and the engineers. 2 Budget/Finance Committee December 20, 2011 Other: There was no other discussion. For the Next Agenda: Storm Water District. The next regular Budget/Finance meeting will be on Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012, at 5:30 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 6:28 p.m. Respectfully submitted, t4 Lc)CL Shirley Ewan, City Clerk/Treasurer 3