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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBudget/Finance Committee Minutes 04.15.2014 MINUTES BUDGET/FINANCE COMMITTEE APRIL 15, 2014 5:30 P.M. COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM MEMBERS PRESENT: Emelie Eaton Doug Poehls Chuck Dickerson Tom Nelson OTHERS PRESENT: Shirley Ewan Mayor Mark Mace Kurt Markegard Chairman Eaton called the regular meeting of the Budget/Finance Committee to order at 5:30 p.m. There was no public present. The minutes of the April 1, 2014 meeting were presented and approved via motion by Doug, seconded by Chuck, and passed unanimously. The Utility Billing adjustments were reviewed by the Committee. Shirley stated there was one unusual adjustment in the amount of $519.45. A resident had a water leak where the water leaked onto his lawn, instead of going down the sewer system. This adjustment is for the additional sewer charge that he would have received if the water had gone down the sewer instead of on his lawn. The Mayor will review the March journal voucher. Doug made a motion to approve the Utility Billing adjustments and the March journal voucher, after the Mayor has reviewed it. The motion was seconded by Chuck. All in favor, motion passed. The quarterly financial statements were reviewed by the Committee. The bank reconciliation was reviewed first. Seventy -five percent of the year has expired and revenues are at 46% received and expenditures are at 45% expended. Shirley then went through the quarterly memo to the Budget/Finance Committee and mentioned that the planning department has received an additional $42,000 from the County for protested taxes that have been paid. She briefly went through the amounts and purpose of the capital outlays for the last quarter. Shirley stated that Bud Arnold has retired and Fran Schweigert has taken his position, leaving Fran's position open for bid to other union employees. If the position is not filled in- house, it will be opened to the public. Emelie inquired if there were going to be more employees retiring soon. Kurt stated that there is the possibility of 3 more retiring within the next year, but he is sure of only one, which will be in August. There were no further questions from the Committee members. Motion was made by Tom to approve the financial statements, seconded by Doug. Motion passed. There was one Purchase Requisition presented to the Committee. The requisition is for 50 new 300 gallon garbage cans. Three quotes were attached. The lowest bid is from Snyder Industries at a cost of $15,694. Kurt was available to answer questions. Tom made a motion to accept Snyder Industries' quote, seconded by Doug. All in favor, motion passed. The Comp /OT Report for PPE 3/30/14 was reviewed by the Committee. There were no questions. The Payroll Register for PPE 3/30/14 totaling $185,645.72 was reviewed by the Committee. Shirley stated that the payroll is higher this pay period due to the payout of a retiring employee. 1 Budget/Finance Committee April 15, 2014 Motion was made by Tom, seconded by Doug to recommend Council's approval of the payroll register. Motion passed unanimously. Clerk/Treasurer's Comments: Shirley mentioned that the newsletter facts were ready to go to print. No biased information was allowed in the newsletter, just facts concerning the Park Maintenance District and the Local Government Study Commission. The promotion of the park district will have to be initiated by the Park Board, newspaper or other means. Mayor's Comments: The Mayor stated that he just learned that the School District is also asking for a levy. When it was discussed earlier with Tim Bronk, he failed to mention that they were going to ask for a levy also. Other: Moving the Fire Siren — Doug stated that he has asked for a quote from a local company and they have not gotten back to him as of today's date. The EMS Committee's favored placement is the southwest corner of Firemen's Park behind the Chamber of Commerce building Lift Station Odor — Kurt informed the Committee that the odor is essentially gone since they have been adding the chemicals. There are currently 8 parts /million and there is less grease and odor in the system. He let the Committee know that the odor, if any, will be no more than any manhole in the streets. PER Update — Kurt stated that the Council will be approving the PER tonight. He wants the Committee to know that he is applying for a Homeland Security Grant to move the road and build a fence around the water treatment plant. It is estimated that the road will cost approximately $180,000 and the fence will cost around $50,000. Shirley mentioned that, in order to finance the PER projects, she and Crystal (from Great West Engineering) are going to recommend paying off two water loans with the reserve in the operating cash. The recommendation will be placed on the workshop in the next month. Emelie mentioned that she has not heard any information in regards to the Bright and Beautiful spring cleanup in Laurel. Kurt stated that the cleanup will be on May 3r and the group is independent of Bright and Beautiful. Vi Hills is putting up posters around town to advertise the service and the City crews will have the transfer site open for the cleanup. For the Next Agenda: Sewer Septic Hauling update. The next regular Budget/Finance meeting will be on Tuesday, May 6, 2014, at 5:30 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 6:18 p.m. Respectfully submitted, jh 6 V, cy (_ Shirley Ewan, City Clerk/Treasurer 2