HomeMy WebLinkAboutBudget/Finance Committee Minutes 04.01.2008 CITY OF LAUREL
BUDGET/FENANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES
APRIL 1, 2008 5:30 P.M.
COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Chairman Mark Mace
Gay Easton
Mayor Ken Olson
Kate Hart
Doug Poehls
OTHERS PRESENT: Mary Embleton Jan Faught
The Budget/Finance Committee meeting was called to order at 5:31 p.m., by Chairman Mark
Mace. Them was no public in attendance.
The minutes of the March 18, 2008 meeting were reviewed and approved via motion by Doug,
seconded by Kate, and passed unanimously.
March claims totaling $134,016.00 were reviewed. Motion by Kate, seconded by Doug, to
recommend approval of the claims by the council. Motion passed unanimously.
The following purchase requisitions were reviewed and approved:
GENERAL FUND:
Replace all keys and redo all locks for fire & ambulance - FAP
New office furniture for director - Library
$ 2,500.00
$ 1,599.93
Ambulance Director Jan Faught attended the meeting to explain to the committee the request for
keys and locks. The company responsible for the current key/lock system is unavailable, so a
new company, Independent Lock, has been servicing the FAP. However, new keys and locks are
now necessary for fire and ambulance personnel to access their portions of the FAP. The police
department is currently okay. There was $25,000 budgeted for building maintenance in the FAP,
so this request is affordable. Motion by Kate, seconded by Doug to approve the purchase
requisitions. Motion passed unanimously.
The Comp/OT reports were reviewed for pay period ending 3/23/08. Kate mentioned the
overtime coming up for the events in July and August, especially for the police and public works
departments. This should be considered at budget time. Mayor Olson stated he will do so.
The Payroll Register for PPE 3/23/08 totaling $136,263.96 was reviewed. Motion by Doug,
seconded by Kate, to recommend council approval of the payroll register. Motion passed
unanimously.
Clerk/Treasurer Comments:
Audit review - Mary reported that the final audit has been received, and distributed copies to the
committee. She will have a draft prepared to address the responses by the next meeting.
Riverside Park revenues transfer to CIP - There was no progress made on this issue, but Mary
will have cost figures prepared for the Park Board this month.
Budget orocess - Meetings with Ken, Mark, Bill and Mary will begin tomorrow at 5:00. Mary
distributed a revised Budget Calendar.
BudgetJFinance Committee
April 1, 2008
Mayor's Comments:
Review of TischlerBise proposal - Mayor Olson stated that this has been reviewed by Miral
Gamradt. He has had discussion with both Miral and Mary and all agree that the report does not
completely consider water, sewer and streets. The report only addressed parks, library, police,
fire and ambulance, and recommended against a fee for roads. The city will ask TischlerBise
why roads were not recommended, and why water and sewer were not considered. So, the
proposed $64,000 to proceed with a full study and fee development may double to include all
aspects. Miral has stated that he would be available to assist with this process, bat does not want
to do the formulation &the fees. Mayor Olson has asked Mary to contact TischlerBise and ask:
1. To consider water and sewer impact fees;
2. To reconsider the roads (streets);
3. Give a breakdown, by department, of the estimate to proceed with all aspects. The
committee concurs with the mayor's recommendation.
CIP- Mayor Olson reported that Miral is ready to go forward with the CIP process, in
conjunction with the budget process. A meeting will be scheduled for next week for Miral to
come and meet with Bill and Mary to start on the enterprise funds. Committee members are
invited to attend if they so choose.
Other issues: Mayor Olson received a call from Carl Anderson. The city has confirmed with
TSEP that Morrison Maierle is OK to do the design and construction engineering for the
wastewater project. The rate study being prepared by Morrison Maierle is critical to the projects,
and will be put on the next workshop agenda. The city needs to determine if se*vet rates are
required to be in place, before the city can apply for an SRF loan. Carl Anderson will find out.
Mayor Olson reminded the committee that the public hearing for the Water TSEP grant
application is tonight, and a suggested rate increase will be mentioned at the hearing. This grant
won't be awarded until next spring. Doug stated that he thinks rate payers may be reaching a
threshold for what they can afford for water, sewer, and garbage. Discussion followed. Mayor
Olson has supported smaller, more frequent rate increases, and stated that the council made a
good choice with Great West Engineering.
The next regular meeting will be on Tuesday, April 15t~ at 5:30 p.m.
For next agenda: same as this meeting, and may add the TIF District and insurance rates.
The meeting adjourned at 6:10 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Clerk/Treasurer