HomeMy WebLinkAboutBudget/Finance Committee Minutes 11.06.2012 MINUTES
BUDGET/FINANCE COMMITTEE
NOVEMBER 6, 2012 5:30 P.M.
COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM
MEMBERS PRESENT: Tom Nelson Emelie Eaton
Doug Poehls (6:OOpm)
OTHERS PRESENT: Shirley Ewan Mayor Ken Olson
Committee Member Eaton called the regular meeting of the Budget/Finance Committee to order at 5:40 p.m.
There was no public in attendance.
The minutes of the October 16, 2012 meeting were presented and approved via motion by Tom, seconded by
Emelie, and passed unanimously.
Tom made a motion to approve the claims, in the amount of $782,101.20 for Council consent; Emelie seconded the
motion, all in favor, motion passed. Tom inquired as to why the claims were so high. Shirley stated that several
items caused the claims to be high, which included the payoff of 3 water loans in the amount of $455, 953.12 as
well as the payment to Donnes, in the amount of $75,858.75. Donnes was the company that did the work on the
weir, water main cover and rip rap for the water intake well.
There were two purchase requisitions presented to the Committee. The purchase requisitions were for 20 lapel
cameras for the police department in the amount of $17,980 and 1 Stalker message center with trailer in the amount
of $17,980. The Stalker message center is a speed sensor that lets drivers know how fast they are going. Doug
inquired as to whether the sensor recorded the speed. The Mayor said he believes it does. The Mayor stated that
both items will be purchased out of the Federal Equitable Sharing Fund and have been budgeted. There was further
discussion and the consensus of the Committee was to approve the purchases.
The Comp /OT reports for PPE 10/14/2012 and 10/28/2012 were reviewed by the Committee. There were no
questions.
The Payroll Registers for PPE 10/14/12 totaling $165,294.36 and 10/28/12 totaling $169,027.36 were reviewed by
the Committee. Motion was made by Doug, seconded by Emelie, to recommend council approval of the payroll
register. Motion passed.
Clerk/Treasurer Comments:
Shirley mentioned that she has put a note and spreadsheet in the Council's boxes letting them know how the water
and sewer bonds are being refinanced and at what rates. The note also states how much savings will occur over the
life of the bonds and what the new rates will be on the bonds. She also let the committee know that she has paid off
3 water bonds. The Mayor stated that, because of the refinancing of the bonds, the City will not need to raise the
sewer rates to cover the wastewater treatment plant project.
Mayor's Comments:
Update on Lift Stations — Elm Street — The Mayor stated that he believes the problem has been resolved by adding
briquettes at the East Main lift station. The Mayor said that if the problem persists, let him know and he will let the
Public Works Director know that the briquettes are not working.
Update on Union Negotiations — The Mayor let the committee know that the Union would like to meet again with a
new negotiator. At present, no new meetings have been set up. The Police Union felt that the negotiator we had at
the first mediation was too new at his position and was not effective in his duties of negotiating. The Mayor stated
that if the mediation does not work, the next step is arbitration and the expense of the Arbitrator will be split by the
City and the Union.
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Budget/Finance Committee
November 6 2012
Other:
The Mayor informed the Committee that FEMA has split out the emergency work that the City did in the river into
2 modified works and 1 emergency violation. Because the Donnes work was not permitted prior to working in the
river, the City may not be reimbursed for their work. The City is required to remove 516,000 cubic yards of sand
and gravel from the river. The City will be required to get permission from Cenex to enter their property to remove
the fill. The fill will be placed just north of the container site after it has been removed.
The Mayor has spoken to David LaGrone at Army Corps in regard to the violation. The violation and failure to be
permitted prior to entering the river has not been settled at this time.
FEMA will consider the 300 feet replacement which will secure the river bank at Riverside Park. Fish, Wildlife
and Parks will be placing the boat ramp back in the park with a proper angle so the river doesn't destroy it again.
Doug inquired about the violation and the fact that notice was given. The Mayor stated that only 2 hour notice was
given and per FEMA that did not give them enough time to permit it. When the model was made, the large scour
hole was not considered in the model and that is what caused the intake well to be in danger of not receiving water
for the town. When the Mayor called, he was told to do what was needed as an emergency measure. FEMA did
not mention a permitting problem at the time. The Mayor will pen a letter to LaGrone stating the emergent need of
entering the river immediately.
For next agenda:
Budget Process Workshop update.
The next regular Budget/Finance meeting will be Tuesday, November 20, at 5:30 p.m.
The meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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Shirley Ewan, Clerk/Treasurer
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