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COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - MINUTES - 11/10/1997 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - CITY OF MUSKEGO MINUTES OF MEETING HELD NOVEMBER 10, 1997 The meeting was called to order at 8:09 P.M. by Mayor De Angelis. Also present were Aldermen D’Acquisto, Patterson, Woodard, Pionek, Salentine, Sanders and Slocomb, Finance Director Gunderson and Clerk-Treasurer Marenda. Mayor reported the meeting was noticed in accordance with the Open Meeting law. Minutes of 10/6/97 were reviewed and placed on file. The noticed of closed session was read by the Mayor. Round table discussion of items on agenda took place as follows: No. 1 - 1998 Proposed Budget and Public Hearing Comments. Ald. Pionek wanted the citizens to realize that not much of the increase in the budget was for non-personnel issues. Ms. Gunderson noted the non-personnel increase was 1.2% over 1997 and included a 15% increase in utilities. Mayor noted the big change in 1998 vs. 1997 is the amount of money being levied for property tax purposes primarily due to loss of revenue from the state and lack of TIF reimbursement funds. Ms. Gunderson noted proposed changes to the budget include $66,444 additional revenue for state transportation aids and a reduction in the I.S. budget as a result of the Finance committee moving forward with upgrading some computers in 1997 originally budgeted for in 1998. These changes would lower the tax levy to $5,244,464, with a tax rate of $5.29 per thousand of assessed valuation. This is compared to $4.75 in 1997. No. 5 - Review Dog Ordinance - Ald. D’Acquisto reviewed a compromise proposal to the proposed ordinance increasing the number of dogs allowed to three per household. He stated there are a great number of people in the community who own more dogs than permitted in the ordinance and we need to find a means, and this relates to one person particularly, to acknowledge this ordinance is complaint-driven and provide that if no complaint received we won’t actively go out and seek out the extra dog. Although we can’t officially sanction something contrary to the ordinance, we can have a gentlemen’s agreement that it’s not going to be the policy to look for the extra dog, and that the only thing to put that into motion will be a complaint-driven process. Until the Public Services Committee has an opportunity to further review the ordinance, we can’t have the situation of people afraid of losing their pet. Ald. Pionek asked if it was his intent to drop the amendment to the ordinance. Ald. D’Acquisto said it was his intent to review the existing ordinance to see if there’s an amendment we can make to accomplish the objective to state this will be a complaint-driven process. Ald. Sanders agreed that is acceptable. Ald. Slocomb stated in his review of ordinances in other communities, the number of dogs allowed wasn’t addressed. Mayor indicated they’re all two dogs, or with a kennel license. Ald. D’Acquisto thanked Ald. Slocomb for his efforts in doing the research on this matter. Ald. D’Acquisto and Dawn Gunderson were excused from the meeting at 8:27 P.M. No. 2 - Parks and Recreation Director Position. Ald. Pionek asked for the rationale behind the reorganization. Ald. Salentine stated this started two years ago and expected to be accomplished in early 1997. It was the idea to have one director thus eliminating a position. Salaries were red-lined for existing employees. Mayor stated due to large issues taking precedence this year, we’re first accepting applications for the position now. By the first Committee of the Whole Minutes of Meeting Held 11/10/97 Page 2 Council meeting in December we’ll know when interviews will be held and who will be on the selection committee. Then the committee’s recommendation will be taken to Council for final adoption of the position. Several things have been accomplished - took recreation supervisor to full time; created combined position; created new field position of parks foreman. The whole transfer resulted in about $2,000 increase in the budget. You’ll actually have the same number of people - which doesn’t mean people out there will hold those jobs. Mayor noted it is typical in the metro area to have a combined position with more emphasis on administration. There is not currently administration time available, especially with park director. No. 3 - Fire Department Contracts. Ald. Pionek asked for an explanation. Ald. Salentine reported that the Board of Directors for TCVFD is in agreement with the concept of what we’re trying to do with dissolution, with assets going back to the City. The proposed dissolution agreement is not part of the annual agreement for service. If the Board could give the City a letter of intent that they’re committed to working on the agreement and that they’re in agreement with the concept, we could proceed with the annual agreement and continue working on the dissolution agreement. Mayor noted it will take time for them to get their charter changed. Mayor explained the difference in the two departments is that with MVFC the City has an agreement that if they disband all of their assets are turned over to the City. That was done during the construction of the new fire house. TCVFD doesn’t have that agreement with the City. If they disband, their assets would be sold and used for a scholarship fund. They have an estimated value of $1.7 million. We are working on a new agreement for dissolution which would include a scholarship fund as well as turning over their assets to the City which we have funded for the most part. We are making progress. Ald. Salentine noted they have already agreed to comply with FLSA, Open Meeting and Open Record laws. Mayor advised the annual agreements will be on the next Council agenda. No. 4 - Amendment to SEWRPC 208 Plan. Ald. Pionek stated he was looking for background information. Mayor advised the map included with the public hearing notice is what SEWRPC is recommending for approval, which left the Utilities Committee about two years ago. It came back to committee with different population numbers, and they recommended a different map, excluding property south of Woods Road in the area of Racine Ave. SEWRPC revised population numbers and put that area back in. The areas on the map west of Hillendale and north of Janesville are being put back into the service area because they were removed in 1986 or ’87. The area around Durham was requested to be included by the property owner where we built a lift station on his property. The south of Loomis area is just outside the landfills. The area south of Woods Rd. is the first area in Basin 4 which could be practically served. Ald. Salentine noted the Plan Commission voted to remove the area south of Woods Rd., except the 20 acres the school district recently purchased. Mayor advised we currently have enough purchased capacity to serve this area. The entire City, except for the Denoon area is within the MMSD District and we can amend the service area within the district as long as we have capacity. Ald. Slocomb discussed the implications of Dept. Of Commerce 83. COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS. Ald. Pionek requested a resolution be placed on next Council agenda expressing opposition to the proposed 15% utility rate increase for submittal to the PSC. Ald. Sanders moved to convene in closed session pursuant to 19.85(1)(c) State Statutes, considering employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of any Committee of the Whole Minutes of Meeting Held 11/10/97 Page 3 public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercised responsibility, more specifically Compensation and Classification Study Preliminary Final Report and Implementation Schedule. Ald. Patterson seconded, carried 6-0. Ald. Salentine moved to adjourn at 9:50 P.M. Ald. Slocomb seconded, motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Jean K. Marenda, CMC Clerk-Treasurer jm