HomeMy WebLinkAboutBudget/Finance Committee Minutes 06.05.2007CITY OF LAUREL
BUDGET/FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES
JUNE 5, 2007 5:30 P.M.
COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mark Mace Kate Hart
Doug Poehls Gay Easton
Mayor Ken Olson
OTHERS PRESENT: Mary Embleton Judge Jean Kerr
Chris Shay
The Budget/Finance Committee meeting was called to order at 5:35 p.m, by Chairman
Mark Mace. There was no public in attendance.
The minutes of the May 15, 2007 meeting were reviewed and approved via motion by
Doug, seconded by Gay, and passed unanimously.
May claims totaling $251,543.34 were reviewed. Motion by Doug, seconded by Kate, to
recommend approval of the claims by the council. Motion passed unanimously.
The following purchase requisitions were approved by the committee:
GENERAL FUND:
25 sets of codification of 2006 Ordinances - city attorney $ 1,920.00
Trim trees - cemetery $ 2,225.00
Trim trees - parks $ 8,000.00
CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND:
Pool blanket and storage reel - swimming pool $13,942.00
WATER FUND:
Deductible for Mark Snow claim- system $ 1,500.00
Railroad lease #500572 - system $ 1,800.00
SEWER FUND:
Repair head gate at 7d' and Alder - system $ 1,718.07
Video camera (replaces previous PR request) - system $47,850.00
Generator for video camera truck - system $ 4,500.00
Judge Jean Kerr and Court Clerk Chris Shay addressed the committee regarding a request
to remodel the courtroom and court office areas. Estimates totaling $16,062 were
presented for remodeling and installation of air conditioning. Judge Kerr explained the
figures, and stated that this would not fully address the lack of space for the court, but
that it would make the current space safer, more efficient and workable. Currently, there
is no room for a judge's chambers and the courtroom is too small to hold a jury trial.
Budget/Finance Committee
June 5, 2007
Discussion followed regarding details of the request, and the drawing provided by the
ergonomics specialist showing the new office arrangement. Thereis $13,000
appropriated in the court budget for public defense which will not be spent for that
purpose; therefore, it is available for this project through a budget transfer. The mayor
has viewed the area and sees the need to remodel, and recommended to look at the
funding available. When the court was moved to the east side of the building several
years ago, it was projected that they would be there for 2 or 3 years. However, there may
not be a solution to the overall space issues for another 4 or 5 years. The mayor will ask
the council to view the court area after the council meeting tonight.
The Comp/OT reports were reviewed for pay period ending 5/20/07.
The Payroll Register for PPE 5/20/07 totaling $133,217.46 was reviewed. Motion by
Kate, seconded by Doug, to recommend council approval of the payroll register. Motion
passed unanimously.
Clerk/Treasurer Comments:
Mary reported that the budget meetings will begin on Wednesday at 6:30. The mayor
thanked Mark Mace for agreeing to review the preliminary budgets with department
heads. The budgets will be for operations and maintenance only, with no capital outlay at
this time. Mayor Olson stated that there will be 2 master plans included in the
appropriations. At the present time, the General Fund proposed budget is showing a
$200,000 deficit.
There is no new information on GARVEE bonds to report.
Mayor's Comments:
Ongomg Projects: Mayor Olson told the committee that all the projects were the same as
last meeting.
Main Street Water Line Replacement: the committee asked about the drilling being done
on Main Street. Apparently, the state is checking the areas for possible contamination.
Sewer Trunk Line Replacement: Same as last meeting.
8s' Ave. Project: Same as last meeting.
CIP: The mayor stated that there was nothing new, but will still consider ways to
incorporate the CIP process into the budgeting process.
Impact Fees: Nothing new.
Other issues: The mayor stated that he may propose a Street Maintenance District at %2¢
per square foot, and a Street Reconstruction fund at 1'/20 per square foot, and may
incorporate that into the proposed change in form of government. A Street
Reconstruction district is driven by the fact that there is no bonding ability to get loans
from Street Maintenance. Dr. Ken Weaver will be here on June 19`h, which is the same
night as the council begins the process to propose a change in form of government.
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Budget/Finance Committee
June 5, 2007
Mary reported briefly on the Montana League of Cities and Towns District meeting that
she attended today. She will distribute the information to the council.
Doug told the committee about placing a 9-1-1 call in the middle of the night regarding a
railroad issue, and it was answered by the Billings Dispatch Center. He questioned why
the Laurel dispatchers did not answer the call. He also asked about establishing a
procedure to keep a record of non-compliance events caused by the railroad. Mayor
Olson stated he would talk to Chief Musson about both issues.
The next regular meeting will be on Tuesday, June 19th at 5:30 p.m.
For next agenda: Same.
The meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted, o?
Mary K. Embleton
Clerk/Treasurer