HomeMy WebLinkAboutBudget/Finance Committee Minutes 12.02.2014 MINUTES
BUDGET/FINANCE COMMITTEE
December 2,2014 5:30 P.M.
CONFERENCE ROOM
MEMBERS PRESENT: Emelie Eaton Chuck Dickerson
Doug Poehls Tom Nelson
OTHERS PRESENT: Shirley Ewan Mayor Mace
Heidi Jensen,CAO
Chairman Eaton called the regular meeting of the Budget/Finance Committee to order at 5:30 p.m. There
was no public in attendance.
The minutes of the November 18,2014 meeting were amended to show that the meeting started at 5:27
p.m.rather than 5:37 p.m. and approved via motion by Doug, seconded by Tom, and passed unanimously.
Doug made a motion to approve the claims in the amount of$780,948.83 for Council consent. Shirley
stated that there were some large claims in this month's bills,thus the total is higher than normal. Wilson
Bros.was for$36,351,Williams Bros. for$327,271,Great West for$83,081,Powerprime Pump for
$47,500 and Sanderson& Stewart for$40,586. Tom seconded the motion,all in favor,motion passed.
There were no purchase requisitions presented to the Committee.
The Comp/OT reports for PPE 11/23/14 were reviewed by the Committee. There were no questions or
comments.
The Payroll Register for PPE 11/23/14 totaling$167,472.99 was reviewed by the Committee. Motion
was made by Doug, seconded by Tom,to recommend council approval of the payroll register. Motion
passed.
Clerk/Treasurer Comments:
Shirley stated that she has the books closed for Fiscal Year 13-14 and there will be one budget
amendment presented to the Council at the next workshop. The Health Insurance Fund was overspent
due to the reserves being too high in that fund.
Mayor's Comments:
The Mayor mentioned to the Council that the lease for the American Legion Baseball Program would be
addressed tonight at the Council meeting. The Legion would like to negotiate the price of the lease. The
City is recommending$1,200 per year and the Legion would like the amount to be $300 the first year,
$600 for the next 2 years and$900 for the last 2 years. Heidi stated that should the Council go with any
other amount than the $1,200 the contract will need to be amended, stating the amount and then voted on.
She let the Committee know that this amount would cover the City's costs for the 4 months that we
maintain the fields. There was discussion amongst the Committee members.
Other:
Emelie is interested in what the City's next Urban Route will be. She is seeking information to bring
before the Public Works meeting next week. Heidi stated that is still being worked on and will not be
decided until the City receives the recommendations back from Sanderson Stewart in regards to the TIF
1
Budget/Finance Committee
December 2,2014
District traffic study. One option would be East and West Railroad Street and the fix of the intersection
on 1st Avenue and Railroad Street. Chuck inquired as to whether anything would be done by MDT when
the underpass is repaved. He believes that they should determine if the underpass is structurally sound, as
there are pieces of concrete that are loose and falling. Chuck feels that the City should be sending a letter
to the Governor in regards to the safety of the underpass. Doug stated that maybe the City should ask
MDT to inspect the trestle when they work on the road.
Doug is interested in finding out how much it would cost citizens of Laurel if the Safety Mill levy were to
be set at$900,000/year. Shirley stated that she has a call into the Department of Revenue for just that
question. She will let Doug know when she hears back from them. Chuck is interested in whether there
will be a sunset on the mill levy. Doug stated that there would not. Chuck mentioned that the costs of
running the Police/Fire/Ambulance will only be going up and we might want to look at an inflation factor
in the levy. There was some discussion in regards to mill levies for special districts.
It was agreed by the Committee to remove the Park Maintenance District from the Future Meetings list.
Chuck informed the Committee that he will not be here on December 16th or if he is he will be late.
For next agenda:
Nothing new has been added.
The next regular Budget/Finance meeting will be Tuesday,December 16, 2014 at 5:30 p.m.
The meeting adjourned at 6:22 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Shirley Ewan,Clerk/Treasurer
2