HomeMy WebLinkAboutBudget/Finance Committee Minutes 02.01.2005 MINUTES
BUDGET/FINANCE COMMITTEE
FEBRUARY 1, 2005 5:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Chairman Mark Mace
Doug Poehls
Ken Olson
Gay Easton
Kate Stevenson
OTHERS PRESENT:
Mary Embleton
The Budget/Finance Committee meeting was called to order at 5:06 p.ra, by Chairman
Mark Mace. There was no public in attendance.
The minutes of the January 18, 2005 regular meeting were approved via motion by Gay,
seconded by Doug, and passed unanimously.
January claims totaling $282,099.52 were reviewed. Mary informed the committee that
the Intereap loan paymems were included in the total, as well as the final paymem on the
sewer jet truck. The sewer fund is now debt f~ee. Motion by Doug, seconded by Kate, to
recommend approval of the claims by the council. Motion passed unanimously.
The following purchase requisitions were reviewed and approved:
STREET MAINTENANCE FUND:
Repair pavemem on W 1st St. and 3~a Ave.
$ 3,800.00
WATER FUND:
Repair pavement at 510 5th Ave. - system
$ 1,893.50
The C omp/OT reports were reviewed for pay period ending 1/16/05.
The Payroll Register for PPE 1/16/05 totaling $119,114.32 was reviewed. Mary
informed the committee that subsequent payroll registers will include the fire department
pay. Motion by Doug, seconded by Gay, to recommend council approval of the payroll
register. Motion passed unanimously.
Cost Analysis for 8½-hour shifts - Mary distributed copies of police and dispatcher
regular and overtime hours for 2003 and 2004. The committee will review and discuss at
a later meeting. The mayor suggested inviting Rick to come in and explain and justify
the benefit to cost. Rick will be invited to the first meeting in March.
Accounting Policies and Procedures - No new progress has been made, and no
comments were made by the auditors, except to keep working on them. Jeanette Koch is
retiring, and so the Utility Billing procedures that she has written will be critical to
training her replacement.
Budget/Finance Committee
February 1, 2005
Page 2.
Upcoming Projects: Park Maintenance District - the momentum bas slowed on this
project, and the mayor stated this project is important to possibly bring relief to the
General Fund. Mary reported that she was informed today that the city would be able to
spend the CDBG Rehab Program Income on park improvements, due to the fact that the
2000 Needs Assessmem done by ME&A showed that the City of Laurel is at 56% LMI.
Therefore, a city-wide community improvement project can be done with these funds.
The issue is being brought forward. Si]) #111 - Council will act on creat'mg the district
at tonight's meeting. Only one letter of protest was received. Solid Waste rate increase
- Steve wants to set up a used oil dump and a cardboard cmsber at the container site
before he approaches the 22 clients. Then the rate increase process can go forward.
Under other issues, Mary reported that the Loeal Government Study Commission
submitted their budget request for $5,000. She is still waiting for the council and mayor
budgets to be turned in to her. Mary also reported that she has begun shopping for a new
r~eording system for the council chambers. One unit being considered is a digital
system that can be downloaded dkectly into a computer, and the minutes converted fi:om
sound to writing. Mayor Olson stated that the CIP was discussed at the Departmem
Head meeting on Monday, and it was determined that the process is not in the proper
time frame. However, the CIP will be updated and brought to the committee in the
future. Mayor Olson also stated that Nathan will be returning on February l0th, and will
go to the meeting with the school and Cenex to discuss the ditches, and other matters.
Ken also repotted that he met with the county commissioners regarding Alder Avenue. A
partnership was proposed to widen and pave Alder Avenue north to East Maryland.
The next meeting will be on Tuesday, February 15th at 5:00 p.m. On the agenda will be:
Comparative analysis of police shifts, Accounting Policies and Procedures, and
Upcoming Projects.
The meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,